Banjul is the capital of Gambia. Until 1973, it was known as Bathhurst. Banjul is a port city on the Atlantic Ocean and lies near the mouth of the Gambia river.

Banjul and Gambia came under British influence during the colonial times. The city was instituted by the British in 1816 as a military post. The city of Bathhurst, as it was called, came from the British colonial secretary at the time. This city became the British colony capital. When Gambia became independent in 1965, the town became a city, as well as the national capital.

Banjul is Gambia's commercial, transportation and educational center. Exports from the city include peanut products and palm kernels. Tourism is also an important industry and it has helped reduce urban employment and encouraged handicrafts as well. Moreover, Banjul contains many schools and a public library. Also existing are many hospitals.

The city has a population of around 50,000 people, half of which are Wolof. However, the Aku, Malinke, Mauritanian and the Lebanese are important minorities.

[ Western Africa - Northern Africa - Eastern Africa ]
[ Central Africa - Southern Africa - the African Islands ]

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