ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief historical background and a description of major events in Gambia. It also provides basic political, economic, and social data arranged in the following categories: polity, economy, population, purchasing power parities, life expectancy, ethnic groups, capital, political rights, civil liberties, and status. The chapter discusses the progress and decline of political rights and civil liberties in Gambia. The Gambia is a poor, tiny country with few natural resources that depends on its exports of peanuts and other commodities. Gambians, except for civil service employees and members of the security forces, have the right to form unions, strike, and bargain for wages under the 1990 Labour Code. The Gambia's citizens were granted their right to choose or change their government in 2001, despite sporadic violence preceding the polls. State-run Radio Gambia broadcasts only tightly controlled news that is also relayed by private radio stations. A single government-run television station operates.
