Gambia 1995
According to HOMOSOCIETY, Gambia is a West African country situated along the Gambia River and bordered by Senegal. It has a population of approximately 2 million people, with the majority being ethnic Mandinka. The official language spoken in Gambia is English; however Mandinka, Wolof and other African languages are also spoken in some areas.
The culture in Gambia is diverse; with traditional beliefs and customs that have been passed down through generations still maintained today. Music plays an important role in Gambian culture; with traditional music, jazz music, pop music and rock music all popular genres. There are also several festivals throughout the year celebrating various aspects of life such as Independence Day and New Year’s Day.
The economy in Gambia is largely based on agriculture, fishing and tourism; although there has been an increase in manufacturing due to foreign investment. Major export partners include China, United States, United Kingdom and India; while its main import partners include China, France and Germany.
According to aceinland, nicknamed ‘the smiling coast of Africa’ due to its welcoming people; Gambia offers visitors an array of activities ranging from bird watching to exploring ancient ruins or simply relaxing on one of its many stunning beaches or villages dotted along the coastline or inland areas. With its stunning landscapes combined with vibrant cities offering plenty of entertainment options for all ages; Gambia truly offers something for everyone!
Population of Gambia
In 1995, the population of Gambia was estimated to be 1.3 million people. The majority of Gambians were concentrated in the western portion of the country, with the largest concentrations being in the capital city of Banjul and nearby coastal towns. In addition to these urban areas, there were also numerous rural villages spread throughout Gambia’s interior.
At this time, almost all Gambians were ethnic Mandinka, with small minority populations of other African ethnic groups present as well. The vast majority (95%) of Gambians practiced Islam, although there were also sizable Christian and animist communities throughout the country.
According to allcitypopulation.com, the median age in 1995 was 17 years old, meaning that half of all Gambians were 17 or younger while the other half was 18 or older. This made it one of the youngest countries in Africa at that time, with a very high fertility rate (5 children per woman). This youthful population was largely due to high birth rates and low death rates; life expectancy at birth in 1995 was 56 years for men and 59 years for women.
In terms of education levels, only about 25% of all Gambian adults had completed primary school by 1995, with even fewer having gone on to secondary school or higher education levels. Despite these low levels of educational attainment, literacy rates among adults aged 15-24 had risen significantly since 1980; by 1995 they had reached around 60%.
Economy of Gambia
In 1995, the economy of Gambia was largely agricultural, with most people in rural areas relying on subsistence farming for their livelihoods. The main cash crops were peanuts and other oilseeds, as well as cotton and sisal. The country also had a small fishing industry, which employed around 10% of the population.
The manufacturing sector was limited in 1995, accounting for only about 6% of GDP. Major industries included food processing (primarily peanut oil) and textiles (primarily cotton). The tourism sector was also starting to develop at this time, with the number of visitors to Gambia increasing by 40% between 1988 and 1995.
GDP per capita in 1995 was estimated to be US$590, one of the lowest in Africa at that time. This low level of economic development was largely due to Gambia’s lack of natural resources and its weak infrastructure. In addition, the country suffered from high levels of poverty and unemployment; an estimated 70% of Gambians lived below the poverty line in 1995 and unemployment stood at around 30%.
Despite its low level of economic development, Gambia had made some progress towards modernizing its economy in the 1990s. In particular, it had implemented several structural adjustment programs aimed at reducing government spending and increasing foreign investment in order to stimulate growth. It had also taken steps to improve its business environment by introducing new regulations and opening up sectors such as banking and telecommunications to foreign investment.
Foreign Policy of Gambia
In 1995, Gambia’s foreign policy was largely focused on strengthening regional and international ties. The country was a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and it had signed a number of bilateral trade agreements with other countries in the region. It also sought to build relationships with countries outside Africa, particularly those in Europe and North America.
Gambia had strong ties with the United Kingdom, its former colonial power, which provided significant amounts of aid to support its economic development. In addition, Gambia sought to strengthen its relationship with France, its other former colonial power. It also sought to improve relations with the United States, which had become increasingly important as an economic partner in the 1990s.
Gambia’s foreign policy also focused on promoting peace and stability in the region. It supported regional efforts to end civil wars in Angola, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, as well as initiatives to foster dialogue between warring parties such as those led by ECOWAS and OAU. At the same time, Gambia worked to strengthen its own security by signing a mutual defense agreement with Senegal in 1993.
Gambia’s foreign policy was also characterized by an emphasis on human rights issues such as freedom of speech and press freedoms. In 1995 it signed up to several international conventions related to human rights including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). It also actively participated in regional efforts aimed at promoting democracy such as those led by ECOWAS and OAU.
Events Held in Gambia
In 1995, Gambia hosted a number of important events that showcased the country’s culture and highlighted its progress. One of the most important events was the celebration of the 40th anniversary of independence from Britain. This event was marked by a week-long celebration that included parades, performances, and speeches given by prominent political figures. The celebration also provided an opportunity for Gambians to reflect on the country’s development over the past four decades.
The year 1995 also saw Gambia host its first international conference, which focused on promoting human rights in Africa. The conference brought together representatives from a number of countries across the continent and included speeches from prominent human rights activists such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai.
Gambia also hosted a number of cultural events throughout 1995. These included music festivals featuring local and international artists, as well as traditional ceremonies such as funerals and weddings. There were also sporting events held throughout the year, including an international football tournament that featured teams from around Africa.
Finally, 1995 saw Gambia host its first business forum which was attended by representatives from both local and international businesses seeking to establish ties with Gambian companies. This event provided an opportunity for Gambian businesses to showcase their products and services to potential investors while simultaneously providing foreign companies with insight into doing business in Gambia.
