Banjul

Abuko Nature Park Albert Market Banjul Countryside Crocodile Pool Ethnography James Island People "Roots" Village

Banjul

 

 

Banjul is the capital of The Gambia. The population of the city proper is only 34,828 but the total urban area is many times larger with a population of 523,589 (2003 census). It is located on St Mary's Island (or Banjul Island) where the Gambia River enters the Atlantic Ocean. Banjul is located at 13°28' North, 16°36' West (13.4667, -16.60).

 

Host of African Union summit in 2006

In 1816, the British founded Banjul as a trading post and base for suppressing the slave trade. It was first named Bathurst after Henry Bathurst, the secretary of the British Colonial Office, but was changed to Banjul in 1973.

 

City Council

On July 22, 1994, Banjul was the scene of a bloodless military coup d'etat in which President Dawda Jawara was overthrown and replaced by the country's current (and twice reelected) President Yahya Jammeh. To commemorate this event, Arch 22 was built as an entrance portal to the capital. The gate is 35 metres tall and the centre of an open square. It houses a textile museum.

 

Arch 22

Attractions in the city include the Gambian National Museum, the Albert Market, Banjul State House, Banjul Court House, two cathedrals and several major mosques.

 

 

 

 



Banjul is the main urban area of The Gambia and holds the country's economic and administrative center including the Central Bank of The Gambia. As the fourth most densely populated country in Africa, The Gambia has more than one urban area. Peanut processing is the country's principal industry, but bee's wax, palm wood, palm oil, and skins and hides are also shipped from its port.

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mosque

 

Saint Mary's Cathedral

 

 

 

walking along MacCarthy square

 

 

 

UN presence

 

 

Atlantic Hotel

 

Banjul Palace

 

 

seafood dinner

 

Gambian Brew

 

entrance to the ferry to go North to Dakar

 

Proud of having hosted the 2006 African Union summit


Abuko Nature Park Albert Market Banjul Countryside Crocodile Pool Ethnography James Island People "Roots" Village

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