 Geography
Located on the west coast of Africa, The Gambia is bordered by Senegal in the north, east and south and by the Atlantic Ocean on the west. It is Africa's smallest country and is the fourth most densely populated country in Africa.
Getting There
Gambia's main airport is Banjul International Airport, about 20km (12mi) southwest of the city center and 15km (9mi) southeast of the Atlantic coast resorts. The airport is served by scheduled and charter flights to and from western Europe and other African states, with connections to other parts of the world. The conference venue, The Kairaba Hotel , is 18 km from the airport.
Visa Requirements
All nationals except those of Britain and Commonwealth countries, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden require visas. To learn more, click here. Language
Gambians are educated in English, the official language. There are several tribal languages, but English is used in business settings. Time
GMT Electricity
230 volts, 50Hz. UK-style, square three-pin plugs are standard Health
There are no compulsory inoculations for entry to The Gambia. Recommended vaccinations include typhoid, yellow fever, meningitis, Hepatitis A and polio. Malaria is prevalent throughout the year, but the greatest risk is between June and November. For additional information on malaria, protection from insect bites, and anti-malarial drugs, visit the CDC travelers' health Web site. Climate
The Gambian climate is characterized by a long dry season (November to May) and a short rainy season (June to October). August is the rainiest month. Average high temperatures range from 24°C (75°F) between December and February, to 32°C (89°F) between November and March, which is the least rainy (and the sunniest) time of the year. Temperatures are mildest along the coast, and the amount and duration of rainfall lessens farther inland. Humidity is only a problem just before the rains begin in June. Money
The Gambia's currency is the dalasi (GMD), which is divided into 100 bututs. Dalasi are difficult to obtain outside of The Gambia, but there is a bureau de change at the airport that accepts U.S. dollars and euros. Currency can also be exchanged at banks in Banjul and at some hotels and tourist resorts. Traveller's checks (like American Express) are accepted at most banks but can sometimes take a few hours to cash. Photocopies of passports, contact numbers and validity confirmation may be necessary. Banks may charge a fee for traveller's checks, so it would be worth comparing rates at various banks. Entry/Exit Taxes
There is an airport tax equivalent to about US$7 payable upon leaving the country. It is accepted in any hard currency. Culture
There are eight ethnic groups in The Gambia. The largest ethnic group is the Mandinkas. Other prominent groups include the Wollofs, Fulas, Jolas, Serahulis, Sereres, Akus and Manjagos. The Gambia is a Muslim country, so bear in mind that it is disrespectful to dress immodestly away from the beach, swimming pools or tourist centers. Gambians expect a formal dress code in business settings. Greetings are important; a formal handshake is the norm for men and women, and it is important to acknowledge every member at a meeting. Telecommunications
The country code for The Gambia is 220. The outgoing international code is 00 followed by the country code (e.g., 00-1 for the United States). There are Gambian mobile telephone networks, but not all countries have roaming agreements. U.S. mobile phones will not work. Internet cafés are available in Banjul and at major tourist resorts.
About Banjul
Banjul is the capital of The Gambia. The population of the city proper is 34,828. Banjul is the country's economic and administrative center. It is built on a sandy peninsula between the mouth of the River Gambia and the Atlantic Ocean. Founded as Bathurst by the British in 1816, the port was established as a base for suppressing the slave trade. Bathurst was the capital when The Gambia gained independence in 1965. Its name was changed to Banjul in 1973.
Credit Unions in The Gambia
Credit union membership in The Gambia increased by 11%, and savings grew by 43% in 2007. The recent decision of some Gambian credit unions to open their common bond has contributed significantly to the growth in membership. In 2007, NACCUG provided training to credit union boards, committees and staff on various aspects of credit union operations. Staff from 53 credit unions attended the trainings in credit union governance, and 154 board members participated in the sessions. In order to help NACCUG improve the quality of training it provides, the ILCU Foundation co-sponsored a small NACCUG delegation trip to Kenya to examine the training provided to members by the credit union movement there. Click here to download an ILCU Foundation article on The Gambia's credit union movement
(CU Focus, Autumn 2006).
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