Head of state: Queen Elizabeth II, represented by a governor-general Prime minister: Baldwin Spencer
President: Yahya Jammeh
Population
89,018
1,840,454
Life Expectancy
75.690 years
63.820 years
Capital City
Saint John's
Largest city
Saint John's (population: 24,226)
Brikama (population: 77,700)
Human Development Index
0.83
NA
GDP per capita
$18,200 US
Literacy Rate
85.8%
40.1%
Corruption Perception Index
Percentage of Women in Parliament
16.7%
NA
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
11.000%
Death Penalty
Legal
NA
Political System
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government
republic
Independence date
1 November 1981 (from UK)
Religions
Anglican 25.7%, Seventh Day Adventist 12.3%, Pentecostal 10.6%, Moravian 10.5%, Roman Catholic 10.4%, Methodist 7.9%, Baptist 4.9%, Church of God 4.5%, other Christian 5.4%, other 2%, none or unspecified 5.8% (2001 census)
Muslim 90%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 2%
Languages
English (official), local dialects
English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars
Exports
petroleum products, bedding, handicrafts, electronic components, transport equipment, food and live animals
External Debt
$359,800,000 $
Exchange Rate
East Caribbean dollars (XCD) per US dollar - 2.7 (2007), 2.7 (2006), 2.7 (2005), 2.7 (2004), 2.7 (2003) note: fixed rate since 1976
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
0.500%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
Location
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east-southeast of Puerto Rico
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Area
443 km sq
11,295 km sq
Coastline
153 km
80 km
Climate
tropical maritime; little seasonal temperature variation
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)