According to abbreviationfinder, Banjul, is the capital of the Gambia, and is located on St. Mary Island (Banjul Island), where the Gambia River enters the Atlantic Ocean. Specifically within the division of the same name. The city’s population including the Municipal Council, has a total population of 357,238 (2003 census).
The island is connected to the mainland by passenger and vehicle ferries (to the north) and by various bridges (to the south).
History
In 1816, the British founded Banjul as a trading post and base for the repression of the slave trade, but at that time the name they had given it was Bathurst, an allusion to Henry Bathurst, secretary of the British Colonial Office.
On February 18, 1965, the city was elected capital of the country after the declaration of independence of the Republic of The Gambia and in 1973 the name of the city was changed and began to be called Banjul to this day.
On July 22, 1994, Banjul was the scene of a bloody military coup in which President Dawda Jawara was overthrown and replaced by Yahya Jammeh.
In commemoration of this fact, Arch 22 was built as a gateway to the capital.
Geography
Banjul is located on St. Mary Island at the mouth of the Gambia River on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and because it is geographically located on this island its continuous expansion of the urban area is limited, since on the western border the city is home of the mangroves.
Banjul has a warm climate throughout the year due to the Sahara Desert.
The coldest month is August and the warmest is March.
Population
The city’s population including the Municipal Council, has a total population of 357,238 (2003 census). See population of Gambia.
Economy
Banjul is the administrative and economic center of the country and the main urban area of The Gambia: here is the Central Bank of the Gambia. Peanut processing is the main industry in the country, but beeswax, palm wood, palm oil, hides and skins are also exported from its port.
Districts
Banjul is divided into two districts:
Banjul Kanifing
Places of interest
Sights in the city include the National Museum of the Gambia, Albert’s Market, the State House, the House of Justice, the two cathedrals, and several major mosques.
The National Museum on Gloucester Street exhibits a sample from the colonial past to the recent history of the country. This museum includes manuscript pages of the Qur’an and explains the “Juju Magic”.
Data of interest
Banjul is the goal of an unusual annual car race, the Plymouth-Banjul Challenge. Participants will be required to drive a car, which has a value of around 100 British pounds. In keeping with the Paris-Dakar Rally, the cars depart from the south of Plymouth in a race of about twenty days. If they arrive, the vehicles are sold or donated.
Gambia Social development
Demography
The Gambia is one of the least populated African countries, with 1,593,256 residents and a density of 132 residents / km2. The largest ethnic groups are the Mandingo (40% of the population) and the Fulani.
Religion
About 95% of the population are Muslim; the rest follow traditional religions.
Gastronomy
Foods
Traditional Gambian food is very similar to Senegalese, with the same ingredients and ways of preparation, although the denominations sometimes vary.
One of the typical dishes is the chicken sissay yassa. It is prepared with lemon juice, onion and pepper. Other dishes are domodah, of Mandingo heritage, based on sweet peanuts with rice and benachin or tiep-bou-diene, fish with rice and tomato sauce, peppers, carrots.
Also popular are coffee, a type of couscous with peanuts and plasas, meat and fish cooked with vegetables with palm oil, simply exquisite.
Fresh fish abounds and can be eaten to satiety, thanks to the proximity of the river. It can also be eaten smoked. Niama-niamas are eaten at all hours. Fruits such as pineapple, papaya, oranges, mango, melon, grapefruit, lemons or bananas are also very popular. You also eat cakes, meat or fish fritters and peanuts, of course.
Drinks
The beer is a favorite drink of Gambians. Joyful is a fairly mild local beer. Non- alcoholic beverages are also consumed.
Its economy is based on agricultural products and livestock for internal consumption on which 75% of the population depends.
Farming
About 75% of the workforce is engaged in agriculture. The peanuts are grown for export; about a third of the value of exports is obtained from it. The cultivation of cotton, sisal, citrus and tobacco has been favored to diversify production.
Industry
The Gambian industry is limited to the processing of groundnuts and other primary products, and the construction of fishing vessels.
Idiom
The official language is English. The most important African languages are Wolof and Mandinga.
Administrative political division
Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city:
- Lower River
- Central River
- North Bank Division.
- Upper River
- Western Division.
- Banjul.
