Short facts about the geography of Gambia

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:

contiguous zone:  18 NM continental shelf:  not specified exclusive fishing zone:  200 NM territorial sea:  12 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

Land use:

arable land:  18% permanent crops:  0% permanent pastures:  9% forests and woodland:  28% other:  45% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

150 sq km (1993 est.)

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, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, 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

Source: World Factbook