World Factbook
Gambia
Republic of The Gambia
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), blue with white edges, and green meaning: red stands for the sun and the savannah, blue for the Gambia River, and green for forests and agriculture; the white stripes denote unity and peace
Capital
name
Banjul
etymology
the name derives from a misunderstanding between Portuguese colonists and inhabitants in the 15th century; when asked what the area was called, the inhabitants thought they were being asked what they were doing and replied, " bangjulo," or "rope making"
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
13 27 N, 16 34 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
yes
citizenship by descent only
yes
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
note
note: in 2024, The Gambian government announced its commitment to adopting a new constitution
history
previous 1965 (Independence Act), 1970; latest adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, effective 16 January 1997
amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly membership in each of several readings and approval by the president of the republic; a referendum is required for amendments affecting national sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, government structures and authorities, taxation, and public funding; passage by referendum requires participation of at least 50% of eligible voters and approval by at least 75% of votes cast
Country name
etymology
named for the Gambia River that flows through the country; Portuguese explorers in the 15th century derived the name for the river from its local name, Ba-Dimma, meaning "the river"
conventional long form
Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form
The Gambia
Independence
18 February 1965 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of The Gambia (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices; court sessions held with 5 justices)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeal; High Court; Special Criminal Court; Khadis or Muslim courts; district tribunals; magistrates courts; cadi courts
judge selection and term of office
justices appointed by the president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a 6-member independent body of high-level judicial officials, a presidential appointee, and a National Assembly appointee; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement at age 75
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the president
chief of state
President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2022)
election results
2021: Adama BARROW reelected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (NPP) 53.2%, Ousainou DARBOE (UDP) 27.7%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 12.3%, other 6.8% 2016: Adama BARROW elected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (Coalition 2016) 43.3%, Yahya JAMMEH (APRC) 39.6%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 17.1%
head of government
Vice President Mohammed JALLOW (since 23 February 2024)
most recent election date
4 December 2021
election/appointment process
president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); vice president appointed by the president
expected date of next election
2026
National holiday
Independence Day, 18 February (1965)
National color(s)
red, blue, green, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (both cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites; Stone Circles of Senegambia
Political parties
Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction or APRC Gambia Democratic Congress or GDC Gambia Moral Congress or GMC National People's Party or NPP People's Progressive Party or PPP United Democratic Party or UDP
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
58 (53 directly elected; 5 appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
National Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
4/9/2022
expected date of next election
April 2027
percentage of women in chamber
8.6%
parties elected and seats per party
National People's Party (NPP) (18); United Democratic Party (UDP) (15); National Reconciliation Party (NRP) (4); Independents (12); Other (4)
National anthem(s)
title
"For The Gambia, Our Homeland"
history
adopted 1965; the music is an adaptation of the traditional Mandinka song "Foday Kaba Dumbuya"
lyrics/music
Virginia Julie HOWE/adapted by Jeremy Frederick HOWE
National symbol(s)
lion
Administrative divisions
5 regions, 1 city*, and 1 municipality**; Banjul*, Central River, Kanifing**, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, West Coast
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 785-1430
chancery
5630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
telephone
[1] (202) 785-1399
chief of mission
Ambassador Momodou Lamin BAH (12 December 2022)
email address and website
info@gambiaembassydc.us https://www.gambiaembassydc.us/home
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[220] 439-2475
embassy
Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, P.M.B. 19, Banjul
telephone
[220] 439-2856
mailing address
2070 Banjul Place, Washington DC 20521-2070
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Eugene S. YOUNG (since 14 October 2025)
email address and website
ConsularBanjul@state.gov https://gm.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction