geography of the gambia

The Gambia is a very small and narrow country with the border based on the Gambia River. The border is less than 48km wide. The countries present boundaries were defined in 1889 after an agreement between the United Kingdom and France. It is almost an enclave of Senegal and smallest country on the continent of Africa. Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal Geographic coordinates: Map references: Africa Area:
total: 11,300 km
land: 10,000 km
water: 1,300 km Area - comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Delaware, USA. Land boundaries:
total: 740 km
border countries: Senegal 740 km Coastline: 80 km Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18 nautical miles
continental shelf: not specified
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nautical miles
territorial sea: 12 nautical miles 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 km (1993 est.) Natural hazards: 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 Of The Gambia

See also