The Gambia | Geography

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal

Geographic coordinates:

13 28 N, 16 34 W

Map references:

Africa

Area:

Total: 11,300 sq km

Land: 10,000 sq km

Water: 1,300 sq km

Area - comparative:

Slightly less than twice the size of Delaware

Land boundaries:

Total: 740 km

Border countries: Senegal 740 km

Coastline:

80 km

Maritime claims:

Territorial sea: 12 nm

Contiguous zone: 18 nm

Continental shelf: not specified

Exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm

Climate:

Tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)

Terrain:

Flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills

Elevation extremes:

Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Highest point: unnamed location 53 m

Natural resources:

Fish, Titanium (rutile and ilmenite), Tin, Zircon, Silica Sand, Clay, Petroleum

Land use:

Arable Land: 27.88%

Permanent crops: 0.44%

Other: 71.68% (2005)

Irrigated land:

20 sq km (2003)

Natural hazards:

Drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)

Environment - current issues:

Deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent

Environment - international agreements:

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note:

Almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa