Gambia, The's Geography | Gambia, The 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: 25% permanent crops: 0.5% other: 74.5% (2001)

Irrigated land: 20 sq km (1998 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, 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

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