GAMBIA

The Republic of The Gambia is a country located in Western Africa. It is completely bordered by Senegal, with the only exception of the point in which the River Gambia empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

The territory covers 11,295 square km.

The population counts about 1,400,000 inhabitants.

The capital city is Banjul.

Banjul, Serekunda - the largest city in Gambia, Basse Santa Su - the easternmost city of the country, Georgetown - located on a isle 10 km long and 2.5 km large in the middle of the Gambia River .

International Airport.

Gambian prehistory is rather unknown. For sure, in the first millennium AD the country based on agriculture. Its relationships with the other States flourished in the XIV century when the Empire of Mali - that encompassed the vast area from the Atlantic coast of today's Gambia and Senegal, all the way to Niger and Nigeria - controlled nearly all the trans-Saharan trade. The inhabitants of the valley of the Gambia River became known as the Mandinka.Gambia's first contact with Europeans came in 1456, when the Portuguese navigators landed on the coasts and they monopolised trade along the West African coast throughout the XVI century. In their trading posts, salt, iron, pots and pans, firearms and gunpowder were exchanged for ivory, ebony, gold and slaves. It's been suggested that the Gambia River's name stems from the Portuguese word cambio, meaning 'exchange,' or, in this context, 'trade'. By the 1650s, Portugal had been largely ousted by the French and British, who contended for the strategic places where to receive and manage slaves and raw material. The Gambia River was declared a British Protectorate in 1820. In 1886 Gambia became a crown colony and, the following year, France and Britain drew the boundaries between Senegal (by then a French colony) and Gambia. As soon as the slave trade was abolished, the British started the planting of peanuts, from which they make oil to be exported to Europe. Today, peanut oil remain the chief crop of both Gambia and neighbouring Senegal. In 1965, Gambia became independent (although Britain's Queen Elizabeth II remained as titular head of state). In the following years the world price for peanuts increased significantly, raising the country's GNP. Moreover, Gambia became a significant tourist destination. In 1970 Gambia became a fully independent republic. Nevertheless, in the 1980s the country was struck by an economic and political crisis, with coup attempts, limitations on political freedom and violent election campaigns. On the 22nd July 1994 the lieutenant Yahya Jammeh led a coup d'etat, celebrated by the famous Arch 22, a 35-meter high building, the highest one in the country. In the past few years the country reached a sort of stability and tourism has been blooming since then, even though 60% of the population still lives on with a daily income of less than a dollar.

The 18th of February - Independence Day (1965).

Presidential Republic.

English is the official language, but people do speak also 'mandinka', 'wolof', 'pulaar' and other autochthonous languages.

Muslim is the most professed religion with about 90% of the population, but there are also Christians and Animists.

The time zone is one hour behind Italy. When the Daylight Saving Time is in use in Italy, the difference is of two hours.

Italian citizens are not required to get an entry visa for a period of staying shorter than 28 days. They only need to produce a valid passport.

The country's monetary unit is the Dalasi. Considering the present exchange rate, Gambia is a very economical destination for Italian tourists.

CHECK THE CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE

Credit cards are accepted only in major hotels and restaurants. It is advisable to be provided with cash money and to exchange locally.

No vaccination is required to visit Gambia. The health conditions are anyway those typical for a developing country with a strong incidence of infective diseases. Health structures are lacking. Before departure it is nevertheless advisable to underwrite an adequate insurance policy, including not only medical expenses, but also a possible emergency repatriation or transfer to another Country.

After being advised by a doctor it is nevertheless prudent to be inoculated against Hepatitis A and B, yellow fever and meningitis. The malaria prophylaxis is advisable throughout the whole year. The AIDS infection rate is very high: the normally adopted precautions are always recommended.

The climate is featured by a long dry season (from November to May) and by a short rainy season (from June to October). August is by far the rainiest month. Average high temperatures range from 24°C between December and February, to 30°C between June and September. The best period to visit Gambia goes from November to February, when the climate is dry and relatively mild. 
 
CHECK THE WEATHER FORECASTS IN REAL TIME

The voltage is 220V, 50Hz.

To call Italy from Gambia dial the country code for Italy 0039, then the Italian area code, including zero, and the number you wish to call (for example: to call a fixed net telephone number in Milan from Gambia just dial 0039 02 61 .... ; to call a mobile phone number from Gambia just dial 0039 347 53...). To call Gambia from Italy dial 00220 followed by the number you wish to call. The GSM network is active but it is advisable to get informed about costs and coverage before departure.

Internet is used in the main hotels where it is possible to check and send e-mails. There are not many Internet points in this area.

There are no restrictions to take pictures or make amateur videos for private use. Being a Muslim country it is advisable to ask for permission before taking pictures of local women.

The market is the main attraction for shopping lovers or for tourists looking for local souvenirs: here it is possible to buy wonderful and cheap local handicrafts. If you go to Banjul visit the Albert Market, where it is possible to find objects coming from the whole African continent. Weekly markets are hold in any city: at your arrival ask information to your tourist guide about the market day in the destinations you have chosen.

The Gambian gastronomic tradition foresees very tasty dishes. The smallest, simplest local-style eating house is called a "chop shop" and generally serves plates of rice and sauce, with one or two variations available daily. Prices are competitive and the freshness of the food (considering the limited range of the menu) should be granted. Grilled and roast meats, usually mixed with onions and spices, are sold in shacks called "afra", while a variety of street vendors hawk anything from bread-and-mayonnaise sandwiches to bowls of yoghurt and latcheri (pounded millet), from hot coffee to national beer (Jul Brew). Peanuts are an important element in the Gambian cuisine (Gambia is an great peanut producer). The stew with Comoda peanuts or the Canja soup prepared with beef and smoked fish are delicious.

The Gambia's richest artistic tradition is music. The griots, or story-tellers, have been made famous in the whole Gambian region by the different populations and social classes. They are real living files of the country history, of families and clans telling stories and epos witnessing a strong sense of identity and belonging. Many griots sing accompanied by tunes on the kora, a kind of harp, and the Mandinka are particularly noted for their skill in crafting these instruments.

The nightlife starts on the beach. In the tourist areas there are places where music is played live and people can dance till late in the night. In the city, on the contrary, discos are not so much present: streets, nevertheless, are full of nightclubs offering folk shows, which are sometimes a bit transgressive and clandestine. It is advisable to be accompanied by local people who know the area in order to avoid unpleasant surprises. Prostitution in these places is quite widespread.

Gambia honours Muslim feasts. The "Ras as-Sana" is the Muslim feast celebrating the new year. The "Tabaski", in January or February, honours the moment when God sacrificed a ram instead of the son of Abraham, Isaac. The "Eid al-Moulid" celebrates the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed. The Ramadan is held during the ninth month of the Muslim calendar and honours the month when the Koran was revealed to Mohammed. During the Ramadan period the Muslims, as a sign of respect, wait for the sunset to drink and eat. At the end of the Ramadan the Eid al-Fitr feast celebrates the end of the fast.

The "Roots Homecoming Festival" is an yearly recent but well known event, whose aim is to re-establish a contact between emigrated Europeans or Americans and their mother country. The festival is held towards the end of June or the beginning of July and the celebrations include music and dance shows, Gambian arts and handicrafts and interesting workshops.

Gambian people place great importance on greetings. Wolof and Mandinka people, for example, greet one another with a ritual that lasts up to half a minute, starting with the traditional Islamic greetings "Salaam aleikum" and "Aleikum asalaam" ('Peace be with you,' 'And peace be with you.') This is followed by several more questions about the other's family, home life, village, health etc. The answers are always positive, even for people on death's door, are often followed with Al humdul''allah ('Thanks be to God.') In the larger cities, where people are in a hurry, traditional greetings sometimes give way to shorter versions in French or English.

1) The capital city Banjul and its Albert Market
2) the channel (bolong) of Oyster Creek, separating the island of Banjul from the mainland; to be crossed with dugout canoes
3) Serekunda, the biggest city in Gambia
4) The beaches of Bakau, Fajara, Kotu and Kololi.
5) The botanic garden and the Kachikaly Crocodile Pool of Bakau
6) The Bijolo Forest Park, inhabited by several species of monkeys
7) Jufureh, famous for being the set of the film Roots and of the story of Kunta Kinte
8) The market and the Traditions museum in Basse Santa Su
9)Tanji, a small village with huts made of straw and mud
10) The Tanjii Bird Reserve, the ornithological reserve with more than 300 species of birds.

1) Fishing near Banjul (organised excursions are available)
2) Mountain Bike in the Bijolo Forest Park
3) Snorkelling in Bakau and Fajara
4) Water skiing in Kotu and Kololi
5) Birdwatching in the Tanjii Bird Reserve. The migrating species arrive in the country in the period included between October and April.

- Food and water: It is advisable to drink sealed bottled water or canned drinks, and to eat only cooked food.

- Not to forget: A sweater may be useful especially in the evening. Do not forget a cap, your sunglasses, high-protection solar creams and anti-mosquito repellents.

- Tips: Tips are not compulsory but beyond being highly appreciated, tipping the waiter is quite a common habit.

- Safety: the country can be considered safe above all nearby the tourist areas along the Atlantic coast and in the areas surrounding the capital. Being Gambia a Muslim country, it is advisable to dressing decorously in the non-tourist areas.

Gambia Tourism Authority
Bakau, Kololi, K.M.C. - Gambia
Phone: (+220) 446 2491/3 /4
Fax: (+220) 446 2487
E-mail: info@gta.gm
www.visitthegambia.gm

The competent embassy is the one in DAKAR - SENEGAL

Rue Alpha Hachamiyou Tall B.P. 348 - Dakar (Senegal)
Phone: (+221) 33 8216842
Fax: (+221) 33 8217580
Emergency mobile phone (+221) 77 6381895 (to be used only in case of emergency when offices are closed).
Satellite phone: 00874 761848250/1
E-mail: ambasciata.dakar@esteri.it 

Honorary Consulate General of The Gambia in Milan
Via Fontana, 4 - Milan (Italy)
Phone: (+39) 02 5411 6012
Fax: (+39) 02 5518 0514
E-mail: gambiaconsulate@hotmail.com