The Gambia, the smallest country on mainland Africa, is located in West Africa along the Atlantic coast and almost entirely surrounded by Senegal. It consists of a long, narrow strip of land that follows the River Gambia, which runs the length of the country and is navigable throughout. The total land area is 11,295 square kilometres, and according to United Nations projections, the 2020 population was about 2.44 million.

Administratively, the country is divided into five regions: Lower River (Mansa Konko), Central River (Janjanbureh), North Bank (Kerewan), Upper River (Basse Santa Su), and Western Coast Region (Brikama). The capital is Banjul, with the largest urban centres being Serekunda and Brikama. The Gambia is a multi-party republic with a legislative body known as the National Assembly, and English is the official language.

The main ethnic groups include Mandinka, Fula, Wollof, Jola, Aku, Serere, and Sarahuli. Many Gambians still live in rural communities, while the country is also known internationally for its tourism, particularly the sandy beaches along its short Atlantic coastline, and its cultural heritage. A notable landmark is Jufureh, the ancestral home of Kunta Kinteh, made famous in Alex Haley’s novel Roots.