The capital of the state is Banjul, which is the administrative, cultural and industrial center of the state. The capital of The Gambia is located on the island of the same name, also known as St. Mary's Island.

Banjul is the main sea and river port of the state, connecting all parts of The Gambia. There are no railways; there are a small number of highways. There is an international airport not far from the capital.

Story

The founding date of Banjul is April 23, 1816. At the time, it was a British trading post as well as a slave supply center and was called Bathurst. In 1889, it was transformed into the capital of Gambia, which was a colony of England. It became an independent state in 1965 and the city became its official capital. In 1973, it received a new name, which it owes to ropes (bang) made from fibers, which were then collected on the island by the Mande people.

Today Banjul is a fairly modern, well-built city. Numerous green parks and gardens counter the local hot climate. Wide roofs and huge loggias give the houses a European look. Small cafes and souvenir shops are built for the convenience of tourists.

Population

Currently, the population of the capital of The Gambia is about fifty thousand people.

The population of Banjul is very diverse: Mandingo, Serahuli, Wolof and others. Europeans also live here. The official language is English. The main religion is Islam, but there are also Christians and pagans

Economy

As throughout the country, the predominant activity of the population of Banjul is agriculture and food.

Residents are also engaged in fishing and further processing of fish, making jewelry and woolen fabric.

Attractions

The sights of the country's capital are presented:

Natural conditions.

Banjul occupies an advantageous position in the eastern part of Cape St. Mary, in the Gambia River estuary. A well-protected harbor in the Banjul area allows ocean-going ships to be received at any time of the year, and they can travel 240 km upstream in the Gambia, up to the town of Kuntaura.

The climate in the Banjul region is equatorial monsoon, with distinct rainy and dry seasons. The dry period lasts from November to May, during which time the hot harmattan wind blows from the Sahara Desert, and the average monthly temperature ranges from +25 to +38° C.

The rainy season lasts from June to October, this is the most favorable time for agricultural work. The mercury column of the thermometer in these months rarely rises above +27° C. It is during the rainy season that the greatest amount of precipitation occurs, the average annual norm of which is 750-1525 mm. Natural vegetation has been preserved in the surrounding area of ​​Banjul.

Population, language, religion.

Banjul is the only major city in The Gambia. The population of the capital, together with the suburbs of Bakau and Serekunda, is about 140 thousand inhabitants.

The ethnic composition of the urban population is very diverse: there are representatives of the Wolof, Mandinka (or Mandingo), Diola, Serahuli, Fulani people, as well as people from Senegal and other African countries. A small number of Europeans also live in Banjul.

The official language is English, and locals also speak Mandingo, Wolof and Fula. Most of the indigenous population professes Sunni Islam; there are also Christians (Catholics, supporters of the Anglican and Methodist churches) and pagans who profess local traditional beliefs.

History of development.

Banjul was founded by the British in 1816, but people lived in this area long before the city appeared. In the middle of the 15th century. On the territory of modern Gambia, the first Portuguese sailors appeared, who, in the course of close communication with the local Mandinka and Wolof tribes, were assimilated.

At the end of the 16th century. The coast of West Africa became the object of close attention of British companies. After the ban on the slave trade in 1807, the British, who did not want to lose sources of large income, took control of all trading activities in the coastal region. A few years later they concluded an agreement with the leaders of various Gambian territories to establish a protectorate.

The stronghold of the British in the area of ​​the Gambia River was the town of Bathurst, founded in its estuary, renamed Banjul in 1973. In 1843, The Gambia became a separate colony, with Banjul chosen as its administrative center (the governor's residence was located here). In 1954, Banjul adopted a constitution that granted voting rights to the adult population of the colony and allowed the appointment of Gambians to ministerial posts.

In 1960, the authorities announced the adoption of a new constitution. According to it, universal suffrage was granted to the entire adult population of the British colony and protectorate.

Three years later, The Gambia became a self-governing territory with its center in Banjul, and in 1965 - an independent state with a republican form of government. In July 1981, with the help of Senegalese troops, a coup attempt was suppressed in Banjul.

Attempts at military coups in the Gambian capital continued until the end of the last century, regardless of the adoption of a new constitution and the holding of parliamentary elections.

Cultural significance.

Recently, a library and a small museum have opened in Banjul. In addition, a state radio station broadcasts in the city. There are practically no architectural attractions in Banjul.

Information for tourists.

Foreign tourism is one of the most profitable and fastest growing sectors of the Gambian economy. Tourism, which is seasonal, contributes to the development of local handicraft production.

For a few dalasis (the national currency of Banjul), you can buy excellent leather goods, homespun clothing, and exquisite gold and silver jewelry in small shops and stalls.

The greatest influx of tourists is observed between November and February, when the weather in the vicinity of Banjul, where beautiful resorts with extensive clean beaches are located, is warm and sunny.

The city of Banjul is the capital of The Gambia and the region of the same name. The city is located on St. Mary's Island, where the Gambia River flows into the Atlantic Ocean. From the north, the island is connected to the mainland through freight and passenger ferries, and from the south - through bridges.

Banjul is the largest administrative, cultural and industrial center of the country. Its population is almost 35 thousand people, and including the Greater Banjul agglomeration - almost 350 thousand people.

The British founded the city in 1816 as a seaport, the center of the British Empire's slave trade on the West Coast of the African continent. The city was originally named Bathurst, in honor of the British colonial administrator Henry Bathurst. In 1889, the city became the capital of the British colony - Gambia.

In 1965, the country gained independence, and the city received the status of the capital of an independent state. In 1973 the city received its current name. Banjul got its name from the Mande people, who collected special fibers on the island that were used in making ropes. These ropes are called "Bang" in the Mande language, and later this name was transformed into "Banjul" and gave the name to the city.

Banjul is a fairly modern city, built according to a regular, checkerboard pattern. There are many green parks and gardens here - the hot local climate was taken into account when planning it. In the city center there are many European-style houses, with wide roofs and large loggias. There are also a lot of small shops, cafes, and souvenir shops.

The capital is the country's main port from where ships carrying peanuts, palm oil, seafood and other export products depart. The city's food industry is actively developing - mainly the processing of seafood, fish, nuts and the production of semi-finished products.

Tourism and tourism infrastructure are developing at a high pace in the city. The city's main attractions are the Albert Market - one of the largest and most famous markets on the Atlantic coast of Africa, McCarthy Square and the nearby war memorial, the Fountains area, built in honor of the coronation of the British King George VI.

The Gambian National Museum is also very interesting for tourists, which has a huge collection of archaeological and ethnographic exhibits, as well as unique documents and maps from the colonial period.

The African Heritage Museum is also interesting, the unique exhibits of which can be purchased.

Not far from the National Museum is the tallest structure in The Gambia, Arch 22, built in 1994 to commemorate a bloodless coup d'état. Its height is 35 meters, you can go up and survey the surrounding area, the entire city and the coast.

The city has two cathedrals and several mosques - both Muslims and Christians live in the city.

Directly from the city center, tourists are offered a unique excursion on pirogues or motor boats to Oyster Bay. There you can observe the nesting sites of a huge number of migratory and endemic birds, visit unique mangrove forests and go fishing - these places are famous for excellent fishing!

The climate in the city is quite hot, the average annual temperature is about 35 degrees. The dry season lasts from November to June and the rainy season lasts only four months a year.

Not long ago, a modern international airport was built in Banjul, the building of which is made in an original manner.

Banjul- the capital of The Gambia, its main industrial and cultural center. Banjul was founded by the British in 1816, but people lived on this territory long before the appearance of the city. In the middle of the 15th century, the first Portuguese sailors appeared on the territory of modern Gambia, who, in the course of close communication with the local Mandinka and Wolof tribes, were assimilated. At the end of the 16th century, the coast of West Africa became the object of intense attention by British companies. After the ban on the slave trade in 1807, the British, who did not want to lose sources of large income, took control of all trading operations in the coastal region. A few years later they concluded an agreement with the leaders of various Gambian territories to establish a protectorate. The stronghold of the British in the area of ​​the Gambia River was the town of Bathurst, founded in its estuary, renamed in 1973 Banjul. In 1843, The Gambia became a separate colony, the administrative center of which was elected Banjul(the governor's residence was located here). In 1954, a constitution was adopted in Banjul, which granted voting rights to the adult population of the colony and allowed the appointment of Gambians to ministerial posts. In 1960, the authorities announced the adoption of a new constitution. According to it, universal suffrage was granted to the entire adult population of the British colony and protectorate. Three years later, The Gambia became a self-governing territory with its center in Banjul, and in 1965 - an independent state with a republican form of government. In July 1981, with the help of Senegalese troops, a coup attempt was suppressed in Banjul. Attempts at military coups in the Gambian capital continued until the end of the last century, regardless of the adoption of a new constitution and the holding of parliamentary elections.

How to get there

Distances

• airport 27 km from the capital

Transport

• airplane

Nature

Banjul occupies an advantageous position in the eastern part of Cape St. Mary, in the Gambia River estuary. A well-protected harbor in the Banjul area allows ocean-going ships to be received at any time of the year, and they can travel 240 km upstream in the Gambia, up to the town of Kuntaura. The climate in the Banjul region is equatorial monsoon, with distinct rainy and dry seasons. The dry period lasts from November to May, during which time the hot harmattan wind blows from the Sahara Desert, and the average monthly temperature ranges from +25 to +38 degrees. The rainy season lasts from June to October, this is the most favorable time for agricultural work. The thermometer's mercury rarely rises above +27 degrees during these months. It is during the rainy season that the greatest amount of precipitation occurs, the average annual norm of which is 750-1525 mm. Natural vegetation has been preserved in the surrounding area of ​​Banjul.

Ponds and beaches

• Rivers: Gambia

Infrastructure

Banjul is the main cultural center of The Gambia. Since 1997, the National University has been operating, where you can get higher education. Recently, a library and a small museum have opened in Banjul. In addition, a state radio station broadcasts in the city. There are practically no architectural sights in Banjul. Foreign tourism is one of the most profitable and fastest growing sectors of the Gambian economy. Tourism, which is seasonal, contributes to the development of local handicraft production. For a few dalasis (the national currency of Banjul), you can buy excellent leather goods, homespun clothing, and exquisite gold and silver jewelry in small shops and stalls. The greatest influx of tourists is observed between November and February, when the weather in the vicinity of Banjul, where beautiful resorts with extensive clean beaches are located, is warm and sunny.

Basic information

Banjul is the only major city in The Gambia. The population of the capital, together with the suburbs of Bakau and Serekunda, is about 140,000 inhabitants. The ethnic composition of the urban population is very diverse: there are representatives of the Wolof, Mandinka (or Mandingo), Diola, Serahuli, Fulani people, as well as people from Senegal and other African countries. A small number of Europeans also live in Banjul. The official language is English, and locals also speak Mandingo, Wolof and Fula. Most of the indigenous population professes Sunni Islam; there are also Christians (Catholics, supporters of the Anglican and Methodist churches) and pagans who profess local traditional beliefs.

• Summer time (validity period) no change to daylight saving time
• Religion Islam
• Gambia dialing code +220
• Time zone (+00:00 GMT) (+00:00 GMT)
• Population 140,000 people
• Power supply (voltage, socket type) 230 V / 50 Hz; G type plugs
• Language (official and spoken) English (official); many local languages ​​are used as spoken languages