The country is the result of British traders settling during the 19th century in the estuary of one of the largest rivers of Senegal. Rivalry between the British and French caused them to try to deny the use of the river to the French, thus forming a colony along the banks of the river as an enclave within Senegal. Independent 1965.

The formation of a union between the two as Senegambia was enacted in 1982 with monetary union under which the Gambian Dalasi was linked with the CFA Franc. Although there was a Senegambian parliament each state continued its separate existence. The union failed in 1989.

Military coup July 1994.

Formerly Multi-party democracy. Military took power July 1994.

Elections Sept 1996 resulted in the military leader being elected. But previous civilian parties were not allowed to stand.

Government still basicly military 2008.

Groundnuts and tourism.

Amnesty reports torture. Criticism of the government is a crime - sedition. This was discovered by two British missionaries December 2008.