● Each country is a unique chapter in the BOOK OF HUMANITY, written in the sweat and blood of people whose PAGES will now remain forever ● 每个国家都是《人类之书》中独特的一章，由人们的汗水与鲜血写就，而他们的篇章如今将永世留存 ● Каждая страна — уникальная глава КНИГИ ЧЕЛОВЕЧЕСТВА, написанная потом и кровью людей, чьи СТРАНИЦЫ теперь будут оставаться навсегда ●
Gambia - Government
Based on the etymology of Gambia, it was named for the Gambia River that flows through the country; Portuguese explorers in the 15th century derived the name for the river from its local name, Ba-Dimma, meaning "the river". The Government system in this country is the presidential republic type and the different Administrative divisions includes: 5 regions, 1 city*, and 1 municipality**; Banjul*, Central River, Kanifing**, Lower River, North Bank, Upper River, West Coast
National symbols
Lion.
The flag
The National flag of Gambia has no official description available.
The National Anthem
| Title | N/A |
|---|---|
| Lyric/music | N/A |
More about the government of Gambia
| Date of Independence | 18 February 1965 (from the UK) |
|---|---|
| National holiday | Independence Day, 18 February (1965) |
| Legal system | mixed system of English common law, Islamic law, and customary law |
| International law organization participation | accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction |
| Constitution | |
| History | Previous 1965 (Independence Act), 1970; latest adopted 8 April 1996, approved by referendum 8 August 1996, effective 16 January 1997 |
| Amendment process | Proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly membership in each of several readings and approval by the president of the republic; a referendum is required for amendments affecting national sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, government structures and authorities, taxation, and public funding; passage by referendum requires participation of at least 50% of eligible voters and approval by at least 75% of votes cast |
| Citizenship | |
| Citizenship by birth | yes |
| Citizenship by descent only | yes |
| Dual citizenship recognized | no |
| Residency requirement for naturalization | 5 years |
| Executive Branch | |
| Chief of state | President Adama BARROW (since 19 January 2022) |
| Head of government | Vice President Mohammed JALLOW (since 23 February 2024) |
| Cabinet | Cabinet appointed by the president |
| Election/appointment process | president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); vice president appointed by the president |
| Most recent election date | 4 December 2021 |
| Election results | 2021: Adama BARROW reelected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (NPP) 53.2%, Ousainou DARBOE (UDP) 27.7%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 12.3%, other 6.8% 2016: Adama BARROW elected president; percent of vote - Adama BARROW (Coalition 2016) 43.3%, Yahya JAMMEH (APRC) 39.6%, Mamma KANDEH (GDC) 17.1% |
| Expected date of next election | 2026 |
| Legislative branch | |
| Legislature name | National Assembly |
| Legislative structure | Unicameral |
| Number of seats | 58 (53 directly elected; 5 appointed) |
| Electoral system | Plurality/majority |
| Scope of elections | Full renewal |
| Term in office | 5 years |
| Most recent election date | 4/9/2022 |
| Parties elected and seats per party | National People's Party (NPP) (18); United Democratic Party (UDP) (15); National Reconciliation Party (NRP) (4); Independents (12); Other (4) |
| Percentage of women in chamber | 8.6% |
| Expected date of next election | April 2027 |
| Judicial branch | |
| Highest court(s) | Supreme Court of The Gambia (consists of the chief justice and 6 justices; court sessions held with 5 justices) |
| Judge selection and term of office | Justices appointed by the president after consultation with the Judicial Service Commission, a 6-member independent body of high-level judicial officials, a presidential appointee, and a National Assembly appointee; justices appointed for life or until mandatory retirement at age 75 |
| Subordinate courts | Court of Appeal; High Court; Special Criminal Court; Khadis or Muslim courts; district tribunals; magistrates courts; cadi courts |
| Diplomatic representation in the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador Momodou Lamin BAH (12 December 2022) |
| Chancery | 5630 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20011 |
| Telephone | [1] (202) 785-1399 |
| FAX | [1] (202) 785-1430 |
| Email address and website | info@gambiaembassydc.us https://www.gambiaembassydc.us/home |
| Diplomatic representation from the US | |
| Chief of mission | Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Eugene S. YOUNG (since 14 October 2025) |
| Embassy | Kairaba Avenue, Fajara, P.M.B. 19, Banjul |
| Mailing address | 2070 Banjul Place, Washington DC 20521-2070 |
| Telephone | [220] 439-2856 |
| FAX | [220] 439-2475 |
| Email address and website | ConsularBanjul@state.gov https://gm.usembassy.gov/ |
| National heritage | |
| Total World Heritage Sites | 2 (both cultural) |
| Selected World Heritage Site locales | Kunta Kinteh Island and Related Sites; Stone Circles of Senegambia |
Key Political parties and their leaders in Gambia
Info
No additional political notes.
International organization participation
All Important Facts about Gambia
Want to know more about Gambia? Check all different factbooks for Gambia below.
