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Location: |
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean and Senegal
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Geographic coordinates: |
13 28 N, 16 34 W
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Area: |
total:
11,300 sq km
land:
10,000 sq km
water:
1,300 sq km
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Area - comparative: |
slightly less than twice the size of Delaware
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Land boundaries: |
total:
740 km
border countries:
Senegal 740 km
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Maritime claims: |
contiguous zone:
18 NM
continental shelf:
not specified
exclusive fishing zone:
200 NM
territorial sea:
12 NM
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Climate: |
tropical; hot, rainy season (June to November); cooler, dry season (November to May)
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Terrain: |
flood plain of the Gambia river flanked by some low hills
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Elevation extremes: |
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:
unnamed location 53 m
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Land use: |
arable land:
18%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
9%
forests and woodland:
28%
other:
45% (1993 est.)
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Irrigated land: |
150 sq km (1993 est.)
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Natural hazards: |
drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years)
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Environment - current issues: |
deforestation; desertification; water-borne diseases prevalent
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Environment - international agreements: |
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
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Geography - note: |
almost an enclave of Senegal; smallest country on the continent of Africa
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