GEOGRAPHY
Location:
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
Map
references: Africa
Area:
total area: 11,300 sq
km
land area: 10,000 sq
km
comparative
area: slightly more than twice the size of Delaware
Land
boundaries: total 740 km, Senegal 740 km
Coastline:
80 km
Maritime claims:
contiguous zone: 18
nm
continental shelf: not
specified
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial
sea: 12 nm
International
disputes: short section of boundary with Senegal is indefinite
Climate:
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season
(November to May)
Terrain:
flood plain of the Gambia River flanked by some low hills
Natural
resources: fish
Land use:
arable land: 16%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures:
9%
forest and woodland:
20%
other:
55%
Irrigated
land: 120 sq km (1989 est.)
Environment:
current issues: deforestation;
desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent
natural hazards: rainfall
has dropped by 30% in the last thirty years
international
agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered
Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection,
Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
Note:
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent
of Africa
|
