Fun facts about Gambia – Africa’s seven wonders of the world!

1970s

Did you know- Most of the world did not know The Gambia until 1977. The tiny African country of The Gambia came to the center of international attention when it provided the setting for the 1977 television series Roots, which is The Gambia’s third most watched television show of all time, behind “M*A*S*H” and “Dallas” .

Geography

Did you know- Gambia is a nation of lush tropical forests and large fertile valleys on the coast of West Africa. It is one of the smallest nations in the world. Curiously, The Gambia is the only former British colony in the world that is completely surrounded by a former French colony (Senegal).

Banyul

Did you know- The capital is Banjul, which has been a hub of commercial activity since independence from the UK in 1965. In previous centuries, Banjul was one of the first cities to be built in West Africa. In addition to Banjul, there are of course other important cities: Serukunda, Brikama, Bakau and Farafenni.

James Island

Did you know- The country boasts a famous UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sub-Saharan Africa: James Island and Related Sites. Without a doubt, each place is an open door to the past, from where thousands of slaves were sent to and from the United States, South America the caribbean This World Heritage site on the Gambia River is the legacy of a long history of relationships between Africa and three European countries (Portugal, United Kingdom and France), from before slavery to the new Republic of The Gambia, one of the last black states on the planet. In fact, this place has become the most popular tourist destination in the country.

wild birds

Did you know- the rainforests, Over 28% of the nation’s territory provides habitat for a variety of birds – whose population is one of the most abundant in West Africa – such as petrels, pelicans, cormorants, hamerkops and storks.

multisport events

Did you know- At least three national athletes (in two sports) competed at the August 2008 Summer Olympics. It gained independence in the mid-1960s but did not compete in the Olympic Games until 1984, taking part in the Commonwealth Games, the African Games and the World University Games.

Gambia and the United States

Did you know- The American writer Alex Haley had visited Juffure, Gambia.

Lost City of Stone

Did you know- Apart from James Island, The Gambia also has another historic site: “Stone Circles of Senegambia”. Since then it has been an ancient wonder in which the past is always present. Located on the Gambia River, this site, which brings together four stone groups (Kerbatch, Sine Ngayene, Wanar and Wassu), is one of Africa’s new wonders. Amazingly, it is estimated to contain over 1,000 stone blocks in total. Long unknown in the United States, these monuments were erected from the 3rd century B.C. Constructed up to the 16th century AD and are an “amazing work of art” in West Africa. the most artistically brilliant periods in Gambian history. This vast stone area was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2006. Without a doubt, this area preserves the local culture.

Famous people

Did you know- Walli N’Dow was United Nations Secretary-General for Human Settlements.

Soccer

Did you know- In 2009, The Gambia set an example for several third world nations. Despite having one of the worst sports systems in Africa, it won the FIFA U-17 Africa Cup and competed for the World Cup (where it finished 11th ahead of Japan and Costa Rica). The African champions were: Kemo Fatty, Ebrima Saho, Baka Ceesay, Buba Sama, Saikou Jawneh, Omar Bojang, Bubba Jallow, Ismaila Suwaneh, Ebrima Bojang, Osman Darboe, Lamin Sanjo Samathe, Dawda Ceesay, Lamin Samateh, Pateh Nyang, Baboucarr Savage , Demba Janneth, Sanusi Jabbi, Bakary Sanyang, Darbo, Kissima Bojang and Lamin Gibba.

tourism

Did you know- Tourism is growing rapidly. Since the early 2000s, the nation has been one of West Africa’s most popular tourist stops. Why? There is a world of great things to see and do in The Gambia. This vibrant African nation is known for its stunning beaches, rich biodiversity, exotic cuisine, colonial architecture, luxury resorts, history, naturally friendly people and traditions. At the same time, it is one of the most stable nations. On average, less than 100,000 tourists visit this little paradise every year, 85% of them from Europe, Japan, Taiwan and the United States. Tourism is the second economic mainstay.

Famous Visitors

Did you know- About the size of Connecticut, this English-speaking town was visited by Pope John Paul II in the early 1990s.

Old story

Did you know- Today’s Gambia has its roots in the ancient kingdom of Mali, one of the most powerful kingdoms on the continent, in the 14th century. At that time it was the natural corridor between Mali and the Atlantic. It was a European colony from the 15th century until 1965 when it became an independent nation.

foreign relations

Did you know- During the Cold War, the country’s government had supported the anti-apartheid movement for over 24 years, along with Uganda, Guyana, India and a host of other Third World countries. Since then it has refused to recognize Pretoria. In the mid-1970s, The Gambia withdrew from the XXI. Summer Olympics in Montreal because the New Zealand national rugby team, a member of the Olympics, had visited South Africa, an international pariah between 1960 and 1991. In the following decade it also boycotted another multisport event: the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh (Scotland), along with other national teams such as Kenya, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

authors

Did you know- Lenrie Peters is the nation’s most respected writer.

Thanks to Alejandro Guevara Onofre | #Fun #facts #Gambia #Africas #wonders #world