The Gambia

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=159 style="border-right: 1px solid #CCCCCC;" BGCOLOR="#CCFFCC" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> Bansang</div> <div> Hospital Appeal</div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><A HREF="http://www.bansanghospitalappeal.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.bansanghospitalappeal.com"><B>Home</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Site Map"><B>Site Map</B></A></FONT></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id49.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Introduction: The Hospitals in The Gambi"><B>Introduction</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id74.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Founder: Anita Smith"><B>The Founder</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id67.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="First Visit in 1992"><B>First Visit</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Dr Peter McCormick, Chief Medical Advise"><B>Dr Peter</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id98.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Future: Aims and Ambitions of the Ap"><B>The Future</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="In Action: The Appeals Achievements"><B>In Action</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id52.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Photos: Main Page"><B>Photos</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id73.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Credits: The people that have made such "><B>Credits</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#990033" FACE="Arial" ><B>The Gambia</B></FONT></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id77.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Volunteers: Conditions and precautions"><B>Volunteers</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id81.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About the Appeal"><B>About</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><B> </B><A HREF="id137.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact the Appeal"><B>Contact</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="30c0e0e0.png" border=0 width="14" height="14" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>(( </B></FONT><A HREF="id53.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ways to Donate Now"><B>Donate Now</B></A><B> </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B>))</B></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" width="100%" style=" border-left: 1px solid #000000;" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div>  <script language="JavaScript1.2">  </script><script> if (document.all) document.write('<p align="center"</p><a href="javascript:addbookmark()">Click here to Bookmark this site!</a>') </script>  </div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="18" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="80%" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#FF9900" BORDERCOLORDARK="#990000" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" BGCOLOR=#CCFFCC > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 100 ><NOBR><div> Bansang Hospital Appeal</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> The Gambia</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Monarch Airlines<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>~ Regular flights to The Gambia</div> <div> I have flown many times to The Gambia with Monarch Airlines since 1992. I thank them for their courteous, efficient and caring service both here in the UK and over in The Gambia. Their partnership with The Gambia Experience has always proved to be an exceptional package.                                    </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://www.flymonarch.com" target="_blank"" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.flymonarch.com" target="_blan"><B>Monarch Airlines</B></A></div> <bR> <div> The Gambia Experience<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>~ The Gambian tour operator</div> <div> For many years I have used the excellent services of The Gambia Experience to arrange my flight with Monarch Airlines and my hotel accommodation on the coast prior to my journey to Bansang. They are a UK based travel company specialising in holidays to The Gambia. </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://www.gambia.co.uk/affiliates/aw.aspx?A=19&Task=Click" TARGET="_blank" TITLE="http://www.gambia.co.uk/affiliates/aw.as"><B>The Gambia Experience</B></A></div> <bR> <div> The Gambia<FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>~ Details of this wonderful country</div> <div> 'Gambia' or 'The Gambia' is a tiny coastal republic of West Africa. Totally surrounded by Senegal except for its Atlantic coast, the country occupies the lower and central Gambia River valley and is one of Africa's smallest nations. Its narrow strip of land is only between (15 to 30 mi) wide and stretches eastward from the Atlantic Ocean for 475 km (295 mi). Gambia gained independence from Britain in 1965.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Land, people and the economy</div> <div> Gambia occupies a river valley and is thus a low-lying country. In the west the land adjacent to the river is very low and dominated by dense mangrove swamps. At Elephant Island, 130 km (80 mi) inland, this terrain gives way to a stretch of higher riverbanks and cliffs punctuated by marshes. About 300 km (185 mi) upstream, the cliffs are higher (6-9 m/20-30 ft) and the valley narrower.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="5dc30580.jpg" border=0 width="560" height="344" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> North and south of this riverine strip are higher flats called banto faros, a Mandingo phrase meaning 'beyond the swamp.' Near the Atlantic the flats are often flooded with salt water, rendering them unsuitable for agriculture. Farther east they are free of salt, although the river periodically overflows, depositing fresh loam and supplying water necessary for rice cultivation. Beyond the banto faros, toward the northern and southern borders, lies higher, better-drained land that supports the cultivation of sorghum and rice, the major subsistence crops, and peanuts, Gambia's most important export. The highest point in the country, near the eastern border, rises to only 49 m (160 ft).</div> <div> The climate is tropical, with a rainy season that lasts from June to October. Average annual temperatures range from 25 degrees C (77 degrees F) in the west to 28 degrees C (82 degrees F) in the east. On the coast, annual precipitation averages 1,295 mm (51 in); in the interior it averages 1,090 mm (43 in).</div> <div> The peoples of the Gambia may be divided into five major groups, whose languages fall into two categories. The dominant Mandingo agriculturalists (462,000) and the Seranuleh traders (99,000) speak West Atlantic languages; Mande-speakers include the pastoralist Foula (198,000) as well as the Wolof (176,000) and Jola (110,000) cultivators. Although each people has its own language, Mandingo serves as a lingua franca and English is the official language. About 90% of the country's inhabitants are Muslim. Most of the urban population live in Banjul, the capital and largest city.</div> <div> Peanuts (groundnuts) and peanut byproducts are the chief domestic export, although agriculture was adversely affected by drought in the 1980s. More than half of all exports consisted of re-exports imported into Banjul and transported by truck to Senegal and to Guinea, Mali, and other nations via Senegal. A 1993 Senegalese embargo on the shipment of goods by truck from Gambia to a third country and France's devaluation of the CFA franc in 1994 dealt a severe blow to this trade. Gambia is heavily dependent on foreign aid.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> History and Government</div> <div> Attracted by the river, most peoples of Gambia emigrated from neighbouring parts of today's Senegal. By the 15th century, Mandingo settlers associated with the Mali empire had settled in the valley, founding a cluster of kingdoms that controlled trade along the river. Muslim religious wars in the 19th century resulted in the more complete Islamization of the region and brought further immigration.</div> <div> The Portuguese first reached the Gambia River in 1455 and sold trading rights to the British in 1618. In 1660 the British established a fort on Fort James Island. During the 18th century Britain and France struggled for supremacy in the area. The British established a trading post at Bathurst at the mouth of the river in 1807 and carved out a zone of influence. In 1889 its present boundaries were settled with France, and Gambia became a crown colony. Slavery was abolished in the colony in 1906. In 1965 the colony became independent.</div> <div> According to the constitution of 1970, Gambia is a republic headed by a president. From 1982 to 1994, when the constitution was suspended, the president was directly elected by universal suffrage. A 1981 coup attempt was put down with the aid of Senegalese troops. Gambia and Senegal were joined in the Confederation of Senegambia and cooperated on defense and economic matters from 1982 to 1989, when the confederation was dissolved. President Dawda K. Jawara and his People's Progressive party ruled Gambia from independence until 1994, when Jawara, whose regime was generally considered corrupt and inept, was ousted in a bloodless coup. Gambia's new military regime worked to improve roads, telecommunications, schools, and health facilities. Its leader, Col. Yahya Jammeh, won September 1996 multiparty presidential elections from which major opposition leaders were effectively banned. His party won 33 of 45 seats in legislative elections held in January 1997.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> Facts about the Republic of The Gambia </div> <div> Land</div> <div> Area:  11,295 sq./km. (4,361 sq./mi. ).</div> <div> Capital:  Banjul (1986 est. pop., 44,188).</div> <div> Largest city:  Serekunda (1986 est. pop., 102,600).</div> <div> Elevations:  highest--49 m (160 ft), near eastern border; lowest--sea level.</div> <div> People</div> <div> Population (1994 est.):  1,100,000; density: 97.4 persons per sq./km. (252.2 per sq./mi).</div> <div> Distribution (1994 est.):  26% urban; 74% rural.</div> <div> Annual growth (1994 est.):  2.7%.</div> <div> Official language:  English.</div> <div> Major religion:  Islam.</div> <div> Education and Health</div> <div> Literacy (1990):  27% of adult population.</div> <div> Universities (1994):  none.</div> <div> Hospital beds (1991):  601.</div> <div> Physicians (1991):  61.</div> <div> Life expectancy (1994 est.):  women--47; men--43.</div> <div> Infant mortality (1994 est.):  90 per 1,000 live births.</div> <div> Economy</div> <div> GNP (1992):  $362 million; $390 per capita.</div> <div> Labor distribution (1986 est.):  agriculture--75%; industry, commerce, and services--19%; government--6%.</div> <div> Foreign trade (1991 est.):  imports--$174 million; exports--$133 million; principal trade partners--Belgium, Luxembourg, United Kingdom, New Zealand.</div> <div> Currency:  1 Dalasi = 100 bututs.</div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Government</FONT> </div> <div> Type:  republic.</div> <div> Government leader (1997):  Col. Yahya A.J.J.Jammeh--president.</div> <div> Legislature:  House of Representatives.</div> <div> Political subdivisions:  5 divisions, 1 city.</div> <div> Communications</div> <div> Railroads (1995):  none.</div> <div> Roads (1990):  2,386 km (1,483 mi) total.</div> <div> Major ports:  1.</div> <div> Major airfields:  1.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>(The Gambia)</B></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id75_m.htm" TITLE="The Gambia">top of the page</A></div> <div> Bansang Hospital Appeal a UK registered charity  ~ 1064469</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>