Capital of Gambia: Banjul — Facts & 5-Question Quiz
The capital of Gambia is Banjul. Gambia sits in Africa, has a population of 2,705,992, and uses the GMD. Official languages include English.
Quick facts
- Capital: Banjul
- Continent: Africa
- Population: ~2,705,992
- Area: 11,295 km²
- Population density: 240 people per km²
- Official language: English
- Currency: GMD
- ISO code: GM
How big is Gambia?
By population, Gambia ranks 140th in the world, holding roughly 0.03% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 160th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Gambia has 240 people per square kilometre, which is about 4.0 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Africa, Gambia is the 41th most populous country of 54.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Gambia in population are Qatar (2,695,122) and Lithuania (2,750,055).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Qatar (11,586 km²) and Jamaica (10,991 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
English is spoken officially in 58 countries in this dataset, including Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados and Belize, and 52 others.
Gambia uses the GMD, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
How to remember Gambia
The blue stripe on the flag is the river, and the country is the river: it follows the Gambia River inland and is surrounded on three sides by Senegal. Banjul is on an island right at the river's mouth.
The flag of Gambia: red, blue and green, separated by white
🇬🇲 The flag is three horizontal bands of red, blue and green, with thin white stripes either side of the blue. Red stands for the sun and the savanna, blue for the Gambia River, green for the forests and farmland, and white for unity and peace.
Region and neighbours
Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, a narrow strip of land along the Gambia River in West Africa. It shares land borders with one country: Senegal.
- Senegal 🇸🇳 — capital Dakar
Three facts about Gambia
- The Gambia is the smallest country on mainland Africa, and in most places it is less than 50 km wide.
- Apart from its short Atlantic coast, The Gambia is completely surrounded by Senegal.
- Kunta Kinteh Island in the Gambia River is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sources: Wikipedia: The Gambia, Wikipedia: Flag of the Gambia, Wikipedia: Banjul, CIA World Factbook.
Quiz yourself on Gambia
- African capitals quiz — match Gambia to Banjul
- African flags quiz — spot the Gambia flag among its neighbours
Gambia capital quiz
What is the capital of Gambia 🇬🇲?
- Tripoli
- Banjul
- Mbabane
- Harare
Show answer
Banjul
What is the capital of Botswana 🇧🇼?
- Brazzaville
- N'Djamena
- Bangui
- Gaborone
Show answer
Gaborone
What is the capital of Namibia 🇳🇦?
- Nouakchott
- Maputo
- Rabat
- Windhoek
Show answer
Windhoek
What is the capital of Gabon 🇬🇦?
- Nouakchott
- Maseru
- Djibouti
- Libreville
Show answer
Libreville
What is the capital of Lesotho 🇱🇸?
- Yaoundé
- Rabat
- Maseru
- Maputo
Show answer
Maseru
Gambia in Africa
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Africa is the block Gambia belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Gambia.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Gambia?
The capital of Gambia is Banjul.
What is the population of Gambia?
About 2,705,992, making it the 140th most populous country in the world.
How big is Gambia?
11,295 square kilometres, ranking 160th by land area, at a density of 240 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Gambia use?
The GMD, which no other country uses.
What are the colours of the Gambia flag?
The flag of Gambia is three horizontal bands of red, blue and green, with thin white stripes either side of the blue. Red stands for the sun and the savanna, blue for the Gambia River, green for the forests and farmland, and white for unity and peace.
Which countries border Gambia?
Gambia shares land borders with Senegal.
How can I remember the capital of Gambia?
The blue stripe on the flag is the river, and the country is the river: it follows the Gambia River inland and is surrounded on three sides by Senegal. Banjul is on an island right at the river's mouth.
More capitals to learn
Get the free Mind Skills Arcade app
Brain games for memory, logic, math and focus, free and offline: Get it on Google Play · Download on the App Store