The Gambia is a very small and narrow African country with the border based on the Gambia River. The country is less than 48 kilometres (30 mi) wide at its greatest width. The country's present boundaries were defined in 1889 after an agreement between the United Kingdom and France. It is often claimed by Gambians that the distance of the borders from the Gambia River corresponds to the area that British naval cannon of the time could reach from the river's channel. However, there is no historical evidence to support the story, and the border was actually delineated using careful surveying methods by the Franco-British boundary commission. The Gambia is almost an enclave of Senegal and is the smallest country on mainland Africa.
Basse Santa Su, usually known as Basse, is a town in the Gambia, lying on the south bank of the River Gambia. The easternmost major town in the nation, it known for its important market. Basse is the capital of the Upper River Division, which is coterminous with the Basse Local Government Area. As of 2009, the town has an estimated population of 18,414. According to the 2013 census, the Basse LGA has 243,791 residents.
Central River was the largest of the five administrative divisions of the Gambia. Its capital was Janjanbureh, on MacCarthy Island. The largest settlement was Bansang, with an estimated population in 2008 of 8,381.
Upper River was one of the five Divisions of the Gambia. Its capital was Basse Santa Su. It was subsequently reorganised as the Basse Local Government Area, without any change in the area covered.
West Coast Region, originally the Western Division, also known as Foni or Fonyi, was one of the five administrative divisions of the Gambia. Its capital was Brikama. It was subsequently reorganised as the Brikama Local Government Area (LGA), without any change in the area covered.
The Gambia is subdivided into 43 districts. They are listed below by Local Government Area, each with its population at the 15 April 2013 census.
Kombo Central is one of the nine districts of the Gambia's Western Division, which is located to the south of the Gambia River in the southwest of the country. Kombo Central is in the southwest of the division, between Kombo East and Kombo South. In the 2013 census, it had a population of 142,831.
Kombo South is one of the nine districts of the Gambia's Western Division, which is located to the south of the Gambia River in the southwest of the country. Kombo South is in the southwest of the division, between Kombo Central and Kombo North/Saint Mary. In the 2013 census, it had a population of 108,773.
Fulladu West is one of the ten districts of the Central River Division of the Gambia.
Niamina West is one of the ten districts of the Central River Division in the Gambia. In the 2013 census, it had a population of 7,293.
Jarra East is one of the six districts of the Lower River Division of the Gambia. In the 2013 census, it had a population of 16,551.
Kiang West is one of the six districts of the Lower River Division of the Gambia. Along with Kiang Central and Kiang East, it makes up the Kiang area. In the 2013 census, it had a population of 14,953.
Wuli District was one of the four districts of the former Upper River Division of the Gambia. The Upper River Division is now the Basse Local Government Area. Wuli was established as a parliamentary constituency in 1962 and was divided into Wuli West District and Wuli East District in 1987. The name derives from the historical region and former Mandinka kingdom of Wuli.
Demba Kunda is a small town in south-eastern Gambia. It is located in Fulladu East District in the Upper River Division. As of 2009, it has an estimated population of 5283.
Diabugu is a village in eastern Gambia. It is located in Sandu District in the Upper River Division. It is the biggest village in Sandu. It was founded by Foday Sillah about 1650. Foday Sillah's grandson Foday Sillah junior established the village of Jagejari as a farming centre. As time goes on some of his children settled there permanently.
Barrow Kunda is a town in the Gambia. Barrow is the name of the Alkalo and Kunda means compound. It is located in Wuli District in the Upper River Division. There is another Barrow Kunda located in Foni Kansala district which is not to be confused with this Barrow Kunda. The Barrow Kunda in Foni Kansala District (Bwiam) has a newly built modern hospital and also a new indoor market which as of mid-2010 is still unopened. The main road S. Bank Road runs through the village. The Alkalo is intending to put the town on the map as a modern town so he is offering land to foreigners who would like to settle in this rural location at a lower cost compared to other more coastal or town based areas. A growing number of foreign nationals have bought and own land in Barrow Kunda. There are also some new developments due to begin construction in 2012, so this village although quiet and rural is set to become modern whilst retaining its calm and peaceful rural location. Those who want rural but modern should consider Barrow Kunda in Foni Kansala District (Bwiam). The Barrow Kunda in Wuli District has as of 2009, an estimated population of 1 730.
Basse Nding is a town in the Gambia. It is located in Fulladu East District in the Upper River Division. As of 2009, it has an estimated population of 466.
Bohum Kunda is a town in the Gambia. It is located in Fulladu East District in the Upper River Division. As of 2009, it has an estimated population of 722.
Boro Dampha Kunda is a town in the Gambia. It is located in Wuli District in the Upper River Division. As of 2009, it has an estimated population of 353.
Chamoi Bunda is a town in the Gambia. It is located in Fulladu East District in the Upper River Division. As of 2009, it has an estimated population of 785.
