Living in the Gambia

Gambia lies in West Africa and stretches as a narrow strip of land along the Gambia River to the Atlantic; it is almost entirely surrounded by Senegal. Around 2.3 million people live there. The predominantly flat country encompasses riverbanks, mangroves, savannas, and a coastal region. A hot rainy season is followed by a drier, often more pleasant season. Many people live in densely populated neighborhoods in and around Banjul and Serekunda; bush taxis, buses, ferries, and boats connect important places. Outside the cities, agriculture, fishing, and local trade shape everyday life. Family visits, football, music, and shared meals are part of leisure in many places, while life differs along the coast, by the river, and inland.