GAMBIA, (1) a British colony in West Africa, occupying portions of territory at the mouth of the river Gambia, some of its islands, and (including the adjacent territory under British protection) about six miles of land on either bank for a distance of 250 miles from the sea, and the navigable waters of the Vin tang Creek. It thus forms a narrow strip run ning through French territory; total area, about 4,500 square miles. The principal settlement is Bathurst, at the mouth of the river. There is comparatively little fertile land, and agriculture is primitive. Gambia differs very little from the other West African settlements in being unhealthful. The position of Bathurst, the seat of government, is very unhealthful in the rainy season. There are a number of Anglican, Roman Catholic and Wesleyan schools in the colony. Cotton cloth is manufactured to some extent by the natives, who also prepare palm oil, build boats, etc. The principal exports are
groundnuts, rubber, beeswax, ivory, hides, gold and palm-oil. The value of imports in 1912 was over $3,700,000 and the exports amounted to $3,600,000 and in 1915 $1,471,941 and $1,766, 543 respectively. Gambia is a Crown colony under an administrator, who is assisted by an executive and a legislative council. The popu lation of the entire region in 1911 was about 138,400, including about 200 whites, the re mainder being chiefly negroes. (2) A river flowing through the above colony and giving to the colony its name. Rising in the moun tains of Senegal, after a course of about 700 miles it expands into a broad estuary and at Bathurst enters the Atlantic Ocean. For 170 miles it is navigable by seagoing vessels.