conventional long name	Republic of The Gambia
common name	the Gambia
image coat	Gambia Coat of Arms.jpg
national motto	"Progress, Peace, Prosperity"
national anthem	''For The Gambia Our Homeland''
official languages	English
demonym	Gambian
capital	Banjul
largest city	Serekunda
government type	Presidential republic
leader title1	President
leader name1	Yahya Jammeh
leader title2	Vice President
leader name2	Isatou Njie-Saidy
area rank	164th
area magnitude	1 E10
area km2	10,380
area sq mi	4,007
percent water	11.5
population estimate	1,705,000
population estimate rank	146th
population estimate year	2009
population density km2	164.2
population density sq mi	425.5
population density rank	74th
gdp ppp	$3.494 billion
gdp ppp year	2010
gdp ppp per capita	$2,018
gdp nominal	$1.067 billion
gdp nominal year	2010
gdp nominal per capita	$616
sovereignty type	Independence
established event1	from the United Kingdom
established date1	18 February 1965
established event2	Republic declared
established date2	24 April 1970
hdi	0.456
hdi rank	168th
hdi year	2007
hdi category	low
gini	50.2
gini year	1998
gini category	high
currency	Dalasi
currency code	GMD
time zone	GMT
drives on	right
cctld	.gm
calling code	220
footnotes	}}

The Republic of The Gambia, commonly referred to as The Gambia, or Gambia (), is a country in West Africa. The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, surrounded by Senegal except for a short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean in the west.

The country is situated around the Gambia River, the nation's namesake, which flows through the country's centre and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Its area is almost 10,500 km² with an estimated population of 1,700,000.

On 18 February 1965, The Gambia was granted independence from the United Kingdom and joined The Commonwealth. Banjul is The Gambia's capital, but the largest conurbation is Serekunda.

The Gambia shares historical roots with many other west African nations in the slave trade, which was the key factor in the placing and keeping of a colony on the Gambia River, first by the Portuguese and later by the British. Since gaining independence in 1965, Gambia has enjoyed relative political stability, with the exception of a brief period of military rule in 1994.

An agriculturally fertile country, its economy is dominated by farming, fishing, and tourism. About a third of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.

History

Arab traders provided The Gambia's first written accounts in the 9th and 10th centuries. During the 10th century, Muslim merchants and scholars established communities in several West African commercial centres. Both groups established trans-Saharan trade routes, leading to a large trade in slaves, gold, ivory (exports) and manufactured goods, etc., (imports).

By the 11th century or the 12th century, the rulers of kingdoms such as Takrur (a monarchy centred on the Senegal River just to the north), ancient Ghana and Gao, had converted to Islam and had appointed Muslims who were literate in the Arabic language as courtesans. At the beginning of the 14th century, most of what is today called Gambia was a tributary of the Mali Empire. The Portuguese reached this area by sea in the mid-15th century, and they began to dominate overseas trade.

In 1588, the claimant to the Portuguese throne, António, Prior of Crato, sold exclusive trade rights on the Gambia River to English merchants. Letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I confirmed the grant. In 1618, King James I of England granted a charter to an English company for trade with Gambia and the Gold Coast (now Ghana). Between 1651 and 1661 some parts of Gambia were under Courland's rule, and had been bought by Prince Jacob Kettler, who was a Polish vassal.

During the late 17th century and throughout the 18th century, the British Empire and the French Empire struggled continually for political and commercial supremacy in the regions of the Senegal River and the Gambia River. The British Empire occupied Gambia when an expedition led by Augustus Keppel landed there—following the Capture of Senegal in 1758. The 1783 First Treaty of Versailles gave Great Britain possession of the Gambia River, but the French retained a tiny enclave at Albreda on the river's north bank. This was finally ceded to the United Kingdom in 1856.

According to its current president Yahya Jammeh, Gambia "is one of the oldest and biggest countries in Africa that was reduced to a small snake by the British government – [which] sold all our lands to the French".

As many as three million slaves may have been taken from this general region during the three centuries that the transatlantic slave trade was operated. It is not known how many slaves were taken by inter-tribal wars or Mexican traders before the transatlantic slave trade began. Most of those taken were sold by other Africans to Europeans; others were prisoners of inter-tribal wars; some were victims sold because of unpaid debts; and others were simply victims of kidnapping.

Traders initially sent slaves to Europe to work as servants until the market for labour expanded in the West Indies and North America in the 18th century. In 1807, the United Kingdom abolished the slave trade throughout its Empire. It also tried, unsuccessfully, to end the slave trade in Gambia. The British established the military post of Bathurst (now Banjul) in 1816. In the ensuing years, Banjul was at times under the jurisdiction of the British Governor General in Sierra Leone. In 1888, Gambia became a separate colony.

An agreement with the French Republic in 1889 established the present boundaries of Gambia. Gambia became a British Crown Colony called British Gambia, divided for administrative purposes into the colony (city of Banjul and the surrounding area) and the protectorate (remainder of the territory). Gambia received its own executive and legislative councils in 1901, and it gradually progressed toward self-government. Slavery was finally abolished in 1906.

During World War II, Gambian troops fought with the Allies of World War II in Burma. According to the current president Yahya Jammeh, "when Germany was about to defeat Britain, not only were Gambians conscripted and forced to go and fight in Britain, but also..." Banjul contained as an airstrip for the U.S. Army Air Forces and a port of call for Allied naval convoys. President of the United States Franklin D. Roosevelt visited by air and stopped overnight in Banjul en route to and from the Casablanca Conference (1943) in Morocco, marking the first visit to the African continent by an American President.

After World War II, the pace of constitutional reform increased. Following general elections in 1962, the United Kingdom granted full internal self-governance in the following year. The Gambia achieved independence on February 18, 1965, as a constitutional monarchy within the British Commonwealth of Nations. Shortly thereafter, the national government held a referendum proposing that an elected president should replace The Gambian monarch (Queen Elizabeth II) as the head of state. This referendum failed to receive the two-thirds majority required to amend the constitution, but the results won widespread attention abroad as testimony to Gambia's observance of secret balloting, honest elections, civil rights, and liberties. On April 24, 1970, Gambia became a republic within the Commonwealth, following a second referendum. Prime Minister Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara became the as Head of State. This made the Gambia both the first and last British colony in West Africa.

The Gambia was led by President Dawda Jawara, who was re-elected five times. The relative stability of the Jawara era was shattered first by an attempted coup in 1981. The coup was led by Kukoi Samba Sanyang, who, on two occasions, had unsuccessfully sought election to Parliament. After a week of violence which left several hundred people dead, Jawara, in London when the attack began, appealed to Senegal for help. Senegalese troops defeated the rebel force.

In the aftermath of this attempted coup, Senegal and Gambia signed a '' Treaty of Confederation'' in 1982. The goal of the Senegambia Confederation was to combine the armed forces of the two states and to unify their economies and currencies. After just a short stretch of years, Gambia permanently withdrew from this confederation in 1989.

In 1994, the Armed Forces Provisional Ruling Council (AFPRC) deposed the Jawara government and banned opposition political activity. Lieutenant Yahya A.J.J. Jammeh, chairman of the AFPRC, became head of state. The AFPRC announced a transition plan for return to democratic civilian government. The Provisional Independent Electoral Commission (PIEC) was established in 1996 to conduct national elections. The PIEC was transformed to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in 1997 and became responsible for registration of voters and conduct of elections and referendums. In late 2001 and early 2002, the Gambia completed a full cycle of presidential, legislative, and local elections, which foreign observers deemed free, fair, and transparent, albeit with some shortcomings. President Yahya Jammeh, who was elected to continue in the position he had assumed during the coup, took the oath of office again on 21 December 2001. Jammeh's Alliance for Patriotic Reorientation and Construction (APRC) maintained its strong majority in the National Assembly, particularly after the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) boycotted the legislative elections.

Geography

The Gambia is a very small and narrow country whose borders mirror the meandering Gambia River. It lies between latitudes 13° and 14°N, and longitudes 13° and 17°W.

The country is less than 48.2 km (30 miles) wide at its widest point, with a total area of 11,300 km². Approximately 1,300 km² of The Gambia's area is covered by water. The Gambia is the smallest country on the continent of Africa. In comparative terms the Gambia has a total area which is slightly less than that of the island of Jamaica. The western side of the country borders the North Atlantic Ocean with 50 miles of coastline.

The climate of The Gambia is tropical. There is a hot and rainy season, normally from June until November, but from then until May there are cooler temperatures with less precipitation.

Its present boundaries were defined in 1889 after an agreement between the United Kingdom and France. During the negotiations between the French and the British in Paris, the French initially gave the British approximately of the Gambia River to control. Starting with the placement of boundary markers in 1891, it took nearly fifteen years after the Paris meetings to determine the final borders of The Gambia. The resulting series of straight lines and arcs gave the British control of areas that are approximately north and south of the Gambia River.

Divisions and districts

The Gambia is divided into five divisions and one city. The divisions of The Gambia are created by the Independent Electoral Commission in accordance to Article 192 of the National Constitution. #Lower River (Mansa Konko) #Central River (Janjanbureh) #North Bank (Kerewan) #Upper River (Basse) #Western (Brikama) #Banjul (North, Central, South) The national capital, Banjul, is classified as a city.

The divisions are further subdivided into 48 districts. Of these, Kombo Saint Mary (which shares Brikama as a capital with the Western division) may have been administratively merged with the greater Banjul area.

Politics

The Gambia was one of the oldest existing multi-party democracies in Africa. It had conducted freely contested elections every five years since independence. The People's Progressive Party (PPP), headed by former president Jawara, had dominated Gambian politics for nearly 30 years. After spearheading the movement toward complete independence from Britain, the PPP was voted into power and was never seriously challenged by any opposition party. The last elections under the PPP regime were held in April 1992.

Following the coup in July 1994, politicians from deposed President Jawara's People's Progressive Party (PPP) and other senior government officials were banned from participating in politics until July 2001. A presidential election took place in September 1996, in which retired Col. Yahya Jammeh won 56% of the vote. The legislative elections held in January 1997 were dominated by the APRC, which captured 33 out of 45 seats.

In July 2001, the ban on Jawara-era political parties and politicians was lifted. Four registered opposition parties participated in the 18 October 2001, presidential election, which the incumbent, President Yahya Jammeh, won with almost 53% of the votes. The APRC maintained its strong majority in the National Assembly in legislative elections held in January 2002, particularly after the main opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) boycotted the legislative elections.

Jammeh won the 2006 election handily after the opposition coalition, the National Alliance for Democracy and Development, splintered earlier in the year. The voting was generally regarded as free and fair, though events from the run-up raised criticism from some. A journalist from the state television station assigned to the chief opposition candidate, Ousainou Darboe, was arrested. Additionally, Jammeh said, "I will develop the areas that vote for me, but if you don't vote for me, don't expect anything".

On the 21 and 22 March 2006, amid tensions preceding the 2006 presidential elections, an alleged planned military coup was uncovered. President Yahya Jammeh was forced to return from a trip to Mauritania, many suspected army officials were arrested, and prominent army officials fled the country. There are claims circulating that this whole event was fabricated by the President incumbent for his own purposes; however, the veracity of these claims is not known, as no corroborating evidence has yet been brought forward.

For their roles in an alleged 2009 coup plot, 8 Gambians, including the former Chief of Defense Staff of the Gambian Armed Forces, a former head and deputy head of the National Intelligence Agency and others were tried for treason, found guilty and sentenced to death in July, 2010. One of the convicted, a businessman, disappeared while in custody awaiting his appeal. Before that trial concluded, the former Chief of Defense Staff and the former Chief of the Gambia Naval Staff were charged with treason for their complicity in the failed 2006 coup. A key prosecution witness, serving a lengthy prison sentence for his role in the 2006 coup plot, received a Presidential Pardon, apparently in return for his testimony.

The 1970 constitution, which divided the government into independent executive, legislative, and judicial branches, was suspended after the 1994 military coup. As part of the transition process, the AFPRC established the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) through decree in March 1995. In accordance with the timetable for the transition to a democratically elected government, the commission drafted a new constitution for the Gambia, which was approved by referendum in August 1996. The constitution provides for a strong presidential government, a unicameral legislature, an independent judiciary, and the protection of human rights.

Foreign relations and military

The Gambia followed a formal policy of nonalignment throughout most of former President Jawara's tenure. It maintained close relations with the United Kingdom, Senegal, and other African countries. The July 1994 coup strained the Gambia's relationship with Western powers, particularly the United States, which until 2002 suspended most non-humanitarian assistance in accordance with Section 508 of the Foreign Assistance Act. Since 1995, President Jammeh has established diplomatic relations with several additional countries, including Libya, Taiwan and Cuba.

The Gambia plays an active role in international affairs, especially West African and Islamic affairs, although its representation abroad is limited. As a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), The Gambia has played an active role in that organization's efforts to resolve the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone and contributed troops to the community's ceasefire monitoring group (ECOMOG) in 1990 and (ECOMIL) in 2003. It also has sought to mediate disputes in nearby Guinea-Bissau and the neighbouring Casamance region of Senegal. The Government of the Gambia believes Senegal was complicit in the March 2006 failed coup attempt. This has put increasing strains on relations between the Gambia and its neighbour. The subsequent worsening of the human rights situation has placed increasing strains of U.S.-Gambian relations.

The Gambian national army numbers about 1,900. The army consists of infantry battalions, the national guard, and the navy, all under the authority of the Department of State for Defense (a ministerial portfolio held by President Jammeh). Prior to the 1994 coup, the Gambian army received technical assistance and training from the United States, United Kingdom, People's Republic of China, Nigeria, and Turkey. With the withdrawal of most of this aid, the army has received renewed assistance from Turkey and new assistance from Libya and others. The Gambia allowed its military training arrangement with Libya to expire in 2002.

Members of the Gambian military participated in ECOMOG, the West African force deployed during the Liberian civil war beginning in 1990. Gambian forces have subsequently participated in several other peacekeeping operations, including Bosnia, Kosovo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea and East Timor. The Gambia contributed 150 troops to Liberia in 2003 as part of the ECOMIL contingent. In 2004, the Gambia contributed a 196-man contingent to the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur, Sudan. Responsibilities for internal security and law enforcement rest with the Gambian police under the Inspector General of Police and the Secretary of State for the Interior.

Economy

The Gambia has a liberal, market-based economy characterized by traditional subsistence agriculture, a historic reliance on groundnuts (peanuts) for export earnings, a re-export trade built up around its ocean port, low import duties, minimal administrative procedures, a fluctuating exchange rate with no exchange controls, and a significant tourism industry.

The World Bank pegs Gambia's GDP for 2009 at US$733M while the International Monetary Fund puts it at US$968M for 2009.

Agriculture accounts for roughly 30% of gross domestic product (GDP) and employs about 70% of the labor force. Within agriculture, peanut production accounts for 6.9% of GDP, other crops 8.3%, livestock 5.3%, fishing 1.8%, and forestry 0.5%. Industry accounts for approximately 8% of GDP and services approximately 58%. The limited amount of manufacturing is primarily agricultural-based (e.g., peanut processing, bakeries, a brewery, and a tannery). Other manufacturing activities include soap, soft drinks, and clothing.

Previously, Great Britain and other EU countries constituted the Gambia's major domestic export markets. However, in recent years Senegal, the United States, and Japan have become significant trade partners of the Gambia. In Africa, Senegal represented the biggest trade partner of the Gambia in 2007, which is a defining contrast to previous years that saw Guinea-Bissau and Ghana as equally important trade partners. Globally, Denmark, the United States, and China have become important source countries for Gambian imports. The U.K., Germany, Côte d'Ivoire, and the Netherlands also provide a fair share of Gambian imports. The Gambia's trade deficit for 2007 was $331 million.

As of May 2009, there were twelve commercial banks in the Gambia, including one Islamic bank. The oldest of these, Standard Chartered Bank dates its presence back to the entry in 1894 of what shortly thereafter became Bank of British West Africa. In 2005, the Swiss-based banking group, International Commercial Bank established a subsidiary and has now four branches in the country. In 2007, Nigeria's Access Bank established a subsidiary that now has four branches in the country, in addition to its head office; the bank has pledged to open four more. In May 2009, the Lebanese Canadian Bank opened a subsidiary called Prime Bank (Gambia).

Demographics

A wide variety of ethnic groups live in the Gambia, each preserving its own language and traditions. The Mandinka tribe is the largest, followed by the Fula, Wolof, Jola, Serahule and the Serers. The Wolof tribe are the third largest tribe in the Gambia. They are the decendants of the Serers just as the Toucouleurs and Lebous are the descendants of the Serers. There is approximately 3,500 non-African residents include Europeans and families of Lebanese origin (roughly 0.23% of the total population). Most of the European minority are Britons, many of whom left after independence.

More than 63% of Gambians live in rural villages (1993 census), although more and more young people come to the capital in search of work and education. Provisional figures from the 2003 census show that the gap between the urban and rural populations is narrowing as more areas are declared urban. While urban migration, development projects, and modernization are bringing more Gambians into contact with Western habits and values, indigenous forms of dress and celebration and the traditional emphasis on the extended family remain integral parts of everyday life.

The UNDP's Human Development Report for 2010 ranks The Gambia 151st out of 169 countries on its Human Development Index, putting it in the 'Low Human Development' category. This index compares life expectancy, years of schooling, Gross National Income (GNI) per capita and some other factors.

Religion

Article 25 of the Constitution protects the rights of citizens to practice any religion that they choose. The government also did not establish a state religion. The majority of the Muslims in the Gambia adhere to Sufi laws and traditions. Virtually all commercial life in The Gambia comes to a standstill during major Muslim holidays, including Eid al-Adha and Eid ul-Fitr. Most Muslims in the Gambia follow the Maliki school of jurisprudence.

The Christian community represents about 8 percent of the population. Residing in the western and the southern parts of the Gambia, most of the Christian community identify themselves as Roman Catholic. However, there are smaller Christian groups present, such as Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses and small evangelical denominations. such as the Serer Religion.

Serer Religion and Animism

The Serer and Jola in many cases are devout Animists. The Serer are found also found in Senegal where they make up the third largest ethnic group. They are also found in Southern Mauritania in small numbers as well as in the Western World. For almost a thousand years they have fought to defend their ancient religion from Islamization and have defeated Islam and other African Muslims who later tried to forcefully convert them. In Elisa Daggs' book "All Africa: All its political entities of independent or other status", she sum up the bravery of the Serer people against Islamization as follows:

"The Islamic religion which dominates Senegal today was carried from Mecca into North Africa after the seventh century by ... the Sahara by the Arabs and Arabized Berbers into Senegal. Only the powerful Serer tribes resisted conversion. ..."

The Serer people have numerous Religious Festivals such as "Xoy" (also spelt Khoy), "Mbosseh" etc. Every year around June, the Serers throughout the world makes the annual pilgrimage to the ancient Serer Kingdom of Sine for the annual "Xoy" which is an ancient Divination Festival where the Saltigue gather to predict the course of the Winter months. Also, the Senegambian Muslim festivals such as "Tobaski", "Gamo", "Koriteh" and "Weri Kor" are are all borrowed from the Serer Animists. They are ancient Serer Animist festivals. The Serer have their own cosmology and their supreme Deity is called "Roog". Other lesser Gods and Goddesses of the Serer people include: Mendis; Thiorak and Taahkarr. One of the major religious ceremonies of the Jola people is the Boukout.

Other Religions

Due to immigration from South Asia, there is a presence of Buddhists and followers of the Baha'i Faith.

Public expenditure was at 1.8 % of the GDP in 2004, whereas private expenditure was at 5.0 %. There were 11 physicians per 100,000 persons in the early 2000s. Life expectancy at birth was at 59.9 for females in 2005 and for males at 57.7.

According to the World Health Organization in 2005 an estimated 78.3% of Gambia's girls and women have suffered female genital mutilation.

A group called Power Up Gambia operates in The Gambia to provide solar power technology to health care facilities, ensuring greater access to electricity.

Culture

Gambians are known for their excellent music, as well as their dancing. Although the Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, its culture is the product of very diverse influences. The national borders outline a narrow strip on either side of the River Gambia, a body of water that has played a vital part in the nation's destiny and is known locally simply as "the River." Without natural barriers, the Gambia has become home to most of the ethnic groups that are present throughout western Africa, especially those in Senegal. Europeans also figure prominently in the nation's history because the River Gambia is navigable deep into the continent, a geographic feature that made this area one of the most profitable sites for the slave trade from the 15th through the 17th centuries. (It also made it strategic to the halt of this trade once it was outlawed in the 19th century.) Some of this history was popularized in the Alex Haley book and TV series ''Roots'' which was set in the Gambia.

Education

The Constitution mandates free and compulsory primary education in the Gambia, but a lack of resources and educational infrastructure has made implementation difficult. In 1995, the gross primary enrolment rate was 77.1 percent and the net primary enrolment rate was 64.7 percent. School fees long prevented many children from attending school, but in February 1998 the President of the Gambia ordered the termination of fees for the first six years of schooling. Girls make up about 40 percent of primary school students, though the figure is much lower in rural areas where cultural factors and poverty prevent parents from sending girls to school. Approximately 20 percent of school-age children attend Koranic schools, which usually have a restricted curriculum.

Media

Critics have accused the government of restricting free speech. A law passed in 2002 created a commission with the power to issue licenses and imprison journalists; in 2004, additional legislation allowed prison sentences for libel and slander and cancelled all print and broadcasting licenses, forcing media groups to re-register at five times the original cost.

Three Gambian journalists have been arrested since the coup attempt. It has been suggested that they were imprisoned for criticizing the government's economic policy, or for stating that a former interior minister and security chief was among the plotters. Newspaper editor Deyda Hydara was shot to death under unexplained circumstances, days after the 2004 legislation took effect.

Licensing fees are high for newspapers and radio stations, and the only nationwide stations are tightly controlled by the government.

Reporters Without Borders has accused "President Yahya Jammeh's police state" of using murder, arson, unlawful arrest and death threats against journalists. In December, 2010 Musa Saidykhan, former editor of The Independent newspaper, was awarded US$200,000 by the ECOWAS Court in Abuja, Nigeria. The court found the Government of The Gambia guilty of torture while he was detained without trial at the National Intelligence Agency. Apparently he was suspected of knowing about the 2006 failed coup.

It should be noted that, just like in Senegal, The Gambian media is biased towards indigenous religions. They do not cover the religious festivals of those who follow the indigenous belief system unlike the Islamic and Christian events.

Sports

Association Football

Even with a population under two million, Gambian players abroad have been making a distinct impact in the football (soccer) world. Toronto FC of the Major League Soccer (MLS) association has two players in their ranks, Amadou Sanyang and Emmanuel Gómez. Both players are in their first year with the club and have made significant contributions to the team coming off the bench and in some cases even in a starting role. Macoumba Kandji, who plays with the 2010 MLS Champions Colorado Rapids, is also Gambian. The Portland Timbers (MLS) team features Gambian defender Mamadou "Futty" Danso as a starter in 2011. On July 12, 2011, Mustapha Jarju signed with Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the MLS.

Other Gambian players in MLS include Sanna Nyassi (Colorado Rapids), Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally (New England Revolution). Mamadou Danso was called up to the national team along with Sanna Nyassi, Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally for a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match versus Namibia.

Other Gambian players who play outside the Gambia include [Bundawda Sallah] ([Örby IS]) Ousman Jallow and Paul Jatta (Brøndby IF), Tijan Jaiteh (SK Brann), Momodou Ceesay (MŠK Žilina) and Ebrima Sohna (Sandefjord Fotball). The former England under-21 international Cherno Samba was fully capped by Gambia.

Other Gambian footballers Mustapha Carayol who played for (MK DONS). A very well known Gambian football player, very appreciated and loved in Europe is Alhaji Momodo Nije also known as Biri_Biri, who played for Sevilla FC. He was the first Gambian footballer to play professionally abroad. He is regarded as the best Gambian footballer of all time. The name of the current group of Sevilla FC supporters is called Biris after his name.

Boxing

Gambian Patrick Mendy (born September 26, 1990) is a professional boxer. He was picked as a contender for the 13th series of Prizefighter series where he went on to win the super middleweight competition. He was also the youngest fighter ever to take part in the competition at the age of 19.

See also

Communications in The Gambia

Transport in The Gambia

Ninki Nanka

;Lists

List of birds of The Gambia

List of schools in The Gambia

Public holidays in The Gambia

Footnotes

Further reading

Sternfeldt, Ann-Britt. (2000). ''The Good Tourist in The Gambia: Travelguide for conscious tourists''. Translated from Swedish by Rolli Fölsch. TheGoodTourist. Sexdrega, Sweden. ISBN 91-947010-4-8.

Wright, Donald R. (2004). ''The World and a Very Small Place in Africa: A History of Glogalization in Niumi, The Gambia''. New York: M.E. Sharpe.

External links

; Government

State House and Office of the President

Chief of State and Cabinet Members

; General information

Gambia Guide – Comprehensive information

Gambia Now – Daily News about The Gambia

Gambia Daily news – Daily news from The Gambia through various media sources

The Gambia – A comprehensive website about The Gambia

The Gambia from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs''

;Health

The State of the World's Midwifery - Gambia Country Profile

; Tourism

Category:1965 establishments in the Gambia Category:African countries Category:Countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean Category:Economic Community of West African States Category:English-speaking countries and territories Category:Least developed countries Category:Member states of the African Union Category:Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations Category:Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Category:Republics Category:States and territories established in 1965 Category:Member states of the United Nations

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name	Billy Wingrove
fullname	William Wingrove
birth date	November 15, 1982
cityofbirth	London
countryofbirth	England
height
position	Midfielder / Forward
years1	2002–2007 | years2 2009–
clubs1	Enfield | clubs2 Ware
caps1	? | goals1 ? | caps2 ? | goals2 ?
nationalcaps1	| nationalgoals1 }}

Billy Wingrove (born 15 November 1982 in London, England) is a British football freestyler and semi-professional footballer.

Profile

Wingrove comes from a footballing family, his father, played for Tottenham Hotspur and cousin played for Arsenal.

As he grew older he learned more tricks and became part of a network of young football freestylers in the London area. In 2003, Wingrove entered the Nike freestyle competition in London Earl's Court, and out of 6,000 contestants, he reached the semi-finals, losing out to Hee Young Woo. Coca Cola, O2, Barclaycard, Disney and Sky Sports have all since used Wingrove for promotions or advertising.

Portfolio

Wingrove has been working as a "professional" football freestyler since the 2003 Nike Freestyle event in London.

Billy has performed his freestyle tricks and skills live on TV for Nickelodeon, ''Blue Peter'' and Central News as well as performing on BBC1's A Question of Sport and Match of the Day.

In 2005, Wingrove appeared in a KDDI TV commercial with Japanese footballer Shinji Ono. Shortly after this Wingrove appeared with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for a Coca-Cola promotion and was also featured with J-League stars in Japanese football magazine Footival. Wingrove's work has also been featured in the UK magazines ''FourFourTwo'' and ''Match''.

Wingrove became the first football freestyler to be signed up as a professional "Football Freestyler" by a professional club when Premier League team Tottenham Hotspur signed him. Wingrove displays and teaches his freestyle tricks and skills for Tottenham's coaching in the community schemes, corporate sponsors and on the pitch for half time and pre-match entertainment for Premier League games. He has also appeared as half time entertainment for England international matches.

References

External links

Official website

Category:Enfield F.C. players Category:1982 births Category:English footballers Category:Living people Category:People from London Category:Freestyle footballers

de:Billy Wingrove no:Billy Wingrove pt:Billy Wingrove ru:Уингроу, Билли fi:Billy Wingrove

playername	Pape Diouf
fullname	Mababa Diouf
dateofbirth	December 18, 1951
cityofbirth	Abéché
countryofbirth	Chad
currentclub	}}

Mababa "Pape" Diouf (born December 18, 1951 in Abéché, Chad) is a Senegalese former journalist, best known for being the president of French football club Olympique Marseille between 2005 and 2009.

Diouf was born in Abéché, Chad, to Senegalese parents. The family returned to their native country shortly after Diouf's birth.

Career

At the age of eighteen, Diouf moved to Marseille, and eventually became a journalist for a city newspaper. Diouf centred his work around sport, and particularly the local football club, Olympique Marseille. Eventually he turned his hand to being a sports agent, with clients such as former French international defender Basile Boli, and Cameroonian goalkeeper Joseph-Antoine Bell playing for Marseille. He became closely linked with the Côte d'Azur side, and his intimate relationship with the club culminated in him becoming club president in 2005. Robert Louis-Dreyfus announced that Pape Diouf would leave on June 17, 2009. He was replaced by Jean-Claude Dassier.

References

Category:1951 births Category:Living people Category:Olympique de Marseille chairmen

fr:Pape Diouf pl:Pape Diouf tr:Pape Diouf