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http://www.ecowas.info/gamatt .htm By Juri, Tanya and Komal • • • Capital City: Banjul Location: located on the west coast of Africa between latitude 13 and 14 degrees north and 13 and 17 degrees west. The country is surrounded by Senegal on North, East and South. Total Area: 11,300 km2 Population: 11million • It is one of the smallest and the most densely populated countries of Tropical Africa. • It is also one of worlds most poorest countries. • Gambia is a multi – party democracy which achieved independence from UK in 1965 • Gambia’s official language is English, although the majority speak on the tribal languages. • Main feature Of Gambia, is the river Gambia The River Gambia is a geographical feature and it is widest at Cape St Mary . It narrows to 5km (3 miles) at Banjul (formerly known as Bathurst), located on St Mary’s Island and has a deep sheltered harbour. . • BANJUL: It is a significant town as the centre of governance and also the only town with a substantial area. The National Museum is a major landmark. Other attractions of Gambia includes the MacCarthy Square. • The Atlantic coast to the south of Banjul has some of the best beaches in all Africa with nearly 15 hotels in the Banjul, Kombo and St Mary area. • WILDLIFE PARKS: One can catch a glimpse of a wide variety of fauna like crocodiles, monkeys, birds and antelopes at the Abuko Nature Reserve. • . Another wildlife park is the Kiang West National Park • The river with its abundance of flora and fauna along its shores and the creeks also called ‘bolongs’ are a paradise to anyone who enjoys Nature. • Export earnings – foreign currency receipts • outstrip Export exports earnings – foreign currency receipts of any product or service outstrip exports of any product or service • Employment- provided an estimated • 10,000 Employmentprovided an estimated Gambians with stable employment in 10,000 Gambians with stable employment in this sector this sector • Rural opportunities – tourism jobs can be • created Rural opportunities – tourism jobs can be in undeveloped rural areas created in undeveloped rural areas • Infrastructure investment- e.g. airports, • roads Infrastructure investment- e.g. airports, etc roads etc • Tax revenues – provides government with • extra Tax revenues – provides government with tax revenues each year extra tax revenues each year • GDP – contributes about 16% of GDP. In • 2000, GDP approximately – contributes about 16%tourists of GDP. In 100,000 visited 2000, approximately 100,000 The Gambia which earned the tourists country visited an The Gambia estimated $35which millionearned the country an estimated $35 million • Environmental Damage – Deforestation has been done to built hotels and etc • Children are forced to work as prostitutes • Traditions have been destroyed, Several cultural sites have been bulldozed to make way for hotels and resorts. • Profit leakage, most profit made is not even kept by the locals, its often sent back to the operating countries. • Conflicts have resulted over the distribution of recourses. • Environmental Damage – Deforestation has been done to built hotels and etc • Children are forced to work as prostitutes • Traditions have been destroyed, Several cultural sites have been bulldozed to make way for hotels and resorts. • Profit leakage, most profit made is not even kept by the locals, its often sent back to the operating countries. • Conflicts have resulted over the distribution of recourses. Began in 1992 Main Aim: Implement Ecotourism National Environment Agency (NEA) advised government that ecotourism could: Help lessen the pressures on land due to agricultural expansion. This would be done by offering an alternative income and raising awareness of the value of conserving natural resources. Focused on the Gambia’s natural resources, culture and history. Aids conservation efforts and does not impact negatively on natural resources Generates economic activity and retains income locally in a sustainable way, particularly in rural economies Is alternative to the existing sun-sea-sand tourism on the coast. Encourages positive cultural exchange and minimises negative social impacts. Provides an element of education or awarenessraising for visitors and Gambian nationals. Successful; e.g. Tumani Tenda – first rural community to complete an ecotourism development It has become something of a flagship ecotourism project. Villagers from all over The Gambia visit on a regular basis to find out about the project to learn how it is run. Villages in Gambia suffer from emigration, with young people feeling their future lies in the towns and cities; but Tumani Tenda has shown the traditional way of life can adapt to accommodate and embrace the modern world. Sustains the natural environment as well as improving the quality of everyday life for locals.