Location: coastal west Africa, surrounded on three sides by Senegal.
Population: 1.4 million.
UNDP rating (2005): 22nd poorest in the world (up from 13th in 1995).
Life expectancy (2005): 53 (up from 46 in 1995)
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GNP (2003): $270 (€225) per annum.
Ethnic groups: nine, all living peacefully. Independence: 1965, from Britain.
Main industries: (1) agriculture (predominantly peanuts); (2) tourism.
Tourist numbers: Approx 100,000 per annum, up to half from Britain.
Famous as: the place Alex Haley traced his Roots to.
Irish-Gambian connections: A steady number of Irish tourists go to The Gambia for sun holidays. It is one of the safest countries in Africa for tourists.