The Gambia: key facts and figures

Location: coastal west Africa, surrounded on three sides by Senegal.

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.