/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: 4.72 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.14 male(s)/female
all ages: 1 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 80.5 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 52.96 years
male: 50.74 years
female: 55.24 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 6.06 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian

Ethnic divisions: African 99% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%,
Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-Gambian 1%

Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other
indigenous vernaculars

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 38.6%
male: 52.8%
female: 24.9%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of The Gambia
conventional short form: The Gambia

Data code: GA

Type of government: republic under multiparty democratic rule
note:: nominally a republic, The Gambia has had a military
government since 22 July 1994; the military authority has promised
to return control to a democratically-elected government in July 1996

Capital: Banjul

Administrative divisions: 5 divisions and 1 city*; Banjul*, Lower
River, MacCarthy Island, North Bank, Upper River, Western

Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK; The Gambia and Senegal
signed an agreement on 12 December 1981 that called for the creation
of a loose confederation to be known as Senegambia, but the
agreement was dissolved on 30 September 1989)

National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

Constitution: 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994

Legal system: based on a composite of English common law, Koranic
law, and customary law; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with
reservations

Suffrage: 21 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government: Chairman of the Armed Forces
Provisional Ruling Council Capt. Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since the
military coup of 22 July 1994); Vice Chairman of the Armed Forces
Provisional Ruling Council Capt. Edward SINGHATEH (since March
1995); last popular election held on 29 April 1992; results - Sir
Da