Gambia, The Geography

What is the terrain and geography like in Gambia, The?

Overview

Situated on the western coast of Africa between the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer, the Republic of The Gambia forms a narrow strip of land on either side of the Gambia River. Except for the sea coast, the country is surrounded by the Republic of Senegal and extends inland for 200 miles (320 kilometers). The Gambia is about 30 miles (48 kilometers) wide along the coast, narrowing to 15 miles (24 kilometers) at its eastern border. From sea level, interior elevations rise to 112 feet. Its dominant feature, the Gambia River, begins in the Futa Jallon highlands in Guinea and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The river is fringed with mangrove swamps for about 170 miles inland, followed by open savanna and, in places, by red iron-stone cliffs. The river is tidal throughout most of The Gambia, and the intrusion of salt water ranges from 90 miles upriver in the wet season to nearly 160 miles in the dry season. Ships up to 3,000 tons with a maximum draft of 17 feet are able to navigate 150 miles upriver to the trading port of Kaur. Banjul has a well-equipped port with two berths, spacious anchorages, large customs clearing warehouses, and a 25-ton capacity crane. Smaller fishing and pleasure boats are anchored in Oyster Creek, 2 miles from Banjul.

The Gambia is vulnerable to periodic drought because it is part of the arid Sahel Zone between the Sahara Desert and the coastal rain forest. Vegetation ranges from woodlands to savanna with sparse grass and shrubs. Much of the sandy soil is low in plant nutrients. Palm trees are present in coastal areas, and baobab, kapok, acacia, and mahogany trees are found throughout the country.

Geography - note

Almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa

Gambia, The Use of Natural Resources

Geographic Location	Africa
Total Area	4,361 Square Miles 11,295 Square Kilometers
Land Area	3,861 Square Miles 10,000 Square Kilometers
Water Area	500 Square Miles 1,295 Square Kilometers
Land Boundaries	460 Miles 740 Kilometers
Irrigated Land	19 Square Miles 50 Square Kilometers
Border Countries	Senegal 740 km
Coastline	50 Miles 80 Kilometers
Geographic Coordinates	13 28 N, 16 34 W
Terrain	Flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
Highest Point	53 Meters
Highest Point Location	Unnamed location 53 m
Lowest Point Location	Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Natural Resources	Fish, titanium (rutile and ilmenite), tin, zircon, silica sand, clay, petroleum
Time Zone	UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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