Trivia in The Gambia

National symbols

Flag: Horizontal tricolor of red, blue, and green representing the nation''s sun, the Gambia River, and forests respectively, with thin white stripes between each color symbolizing peace.

Emblem: Two lions supporting a shield depicting a crossed axe and hoe with peanut plants representing agriculture. A ribbon below bears the national motto 'Progress*Peace*Prosperity'.

Trivia & facts

• The smallest independent nation by area on continental Africa.
• The territory is almost entirely a narrow belt about 10 km wide from the coast.
• Home to an international airport designated as an emergency Space Shuttle landing site.
• One of the few English-speaking countries to officially include the definite article 'The' in its name.
• The main exports are actually re-exports, with thriving informal cross-border trade to Senegal.
• The currency name "dalasi" means "dollar" in Mandinka language.
• The rich peanut stew "domoda" is beloved as the national dish.
• Famous as the homeland of Kunta Kinte, protagonist of the TV drama ''Roots''.
• There is a "Monkey Park" near the city where you can see monkeys walking the roads.
• The blue stripe on the flag symbolizes the Gambia River that traverses the country.