The Gambia

Question 1

Where is the Gambia?

Answer 1

West coast of Northern Africa between equator, tropic of cancer. Located on Atlantic ocean.

Question 2

What is religion like in the Gambia?

Answer 2

95% are Muslim. Women, girls - not allowed in mosque.

Question 3

What are some features of the Gambia? (Size, rivers, climate)

Answer 3

Just over 10,000 square km - Africa’s smallest country. Dominated by river Gambian - 487 km
Climate - warm, dry

Question 4

What is the life expectancy like in the Gambia?

Answer 4

In the 50s

Question 5

What is the housing like in the Gambia?

Answer 5

There is very little space, no sanitation, only a hole for a toilet. On the whole just a low level of development.

Question 6

Why is the Gambia so youthful? (7 points)

Answer 6

Men have many wives, many children. Women can’t choose. contraception, family planning ect. discouraged. Talking to kids abt this stuff - taboo. Girls not educated. Children are seen as workers. One in 10 die before 5th bday.

Question 7

What are some advantages of a youthful population?

Answer 7

Children can help with work and there will be a large working population in the future.

Question 8

What are some disadvantages of a youthful population? (6 points)

Answer 8

High dependency ratio. Deforestation.
No space for houses ect.
Not enough resources (food, water).
Not enough healthcare
Pressure on schools.

Question 9

What are the Gambia doing to try to control their problems? (4 points)

Answer 9

Health centre, funded by government.
All children - access to free vaccinations.
More contraception and family planning talk on radio/TV.
Forest management - replanting trees.