1 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 76.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: 56.01 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 5.61 children born/woman (2002 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 1.95% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 13,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,400 (1999 est.)

Nationality: noun: Gambian(s) adjective: Gambian

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

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

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

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 47.5% male: 58.4% female: 37.1% (2001 est.)

Government Gambia, The

Country name: Republic of The Gambia conventional short form: Government
type: republic under multiparty democratic rule

Capital: Banjul

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

Independence: 18 February 1965 (from UK)

National holiday: Independence Day, 18 February (1965)

Constitution: 24 April 1970; suspended July 1994; rewritten and approved
by national referendum 8 August 1996; reestablished in January 1997

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

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch: chief of state: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH
(since 18 October 1996; note - from 1994 to 1996 was Chairman of the
Junta); Vice President Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note -
the president is both the chief of state and head of government head
of government: President Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH (since 18 October 1996;
note - from 1994 to 1996 was Chairman of the Junta); Vice President
Isatou Njie SAIDY (since 20 March 1997); note - the president is both
the chief of state and head
Cabinet appointed by the president elections: of terms is not
restricted; election last held 18 October 2001 (next
to be held NA October 2006) election results: Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH
reelected president; percent of vote - Yahya A. J. J. JAMMEH 52.9%,
Ousainou DARBOE 32.7%

Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (53 seats; 48 elected
by popular vote, five appointed by the president; me