Tourism In The Gambia

The Swedish are the first people to visit The Gambia as tourists. This was in 1965 when a total of 300 people visited the country for the first time as tourist. The early tourist industry was given a momentum when a Swedish entrepreneur by the name of Bertil Harding was travelling to Cap Skirring (Capskerring) in south Senegal, in 1965 when, after some unfortunate personal incidences, he accidentally drifted onto the shores of The Gambia. When he experienced the country he became determined that his own country's people should see this 'paradise' so near (by air-time) to home and how friendly the people were To visit The Gambia, you probably need to know that it is the smallest country West African country and most peaceful country at the same time the poorest in terms of economics. The country is bounded by Senegal on both side except the side facing the Atlantic Ocean. The country is wellknown for its diverse ecosystems around the central Gambia River. There are abundant wildlife in its Kiang West National Park and Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve includes monkeys, leopards, hippos, hyenas and rare birds. The capital, Banjul, and nearby Serrekunda offer access to beaches. Places of interest will include; Kunta Kinteh Island,Bijilo Forest Park,Abuko Nature Reserve,Kachikally Museum and Croc...Arch 22. The Gambia has a climate that has been described as one of the best in the world, mile upon mile of such splashed beaches, tall coconut palms, blue tropical skies, a river that can take you deep into the heart of Africa....." In Gambia, hotel accommodation resorts offer a wide and varied choice of places to stay ranging from luxury or standard tourist hotels to guest houses, lodges & self-catering apartments.The main cash crop of The Gambia is groundnuts. The country is primarily a agricultural country with 80 percent of the population of just over 2 million depending on agriculture for its food and cash income. The farming economy is the only means of income creation for the majority of rural families most whom live below the poverty line. Despite its small size (10,000 sq. km) The Gambia is aSere woman diverse multi-cultural society with many ethnic groups and where most people are as a result multi-lingual. Indeed it is not uncommon to find people being able to speak 3 to 4 local languages. Its size and the tempering influence of Islam in the Gambia context may indeed explain why it has a reputation for being a peaceful country as compared to that of other countries in Africa there is a minimum of inter-tribal and racial frictions. Traditional Gambian dishesJollof Rice, Benachin cooked in homes are mostly rice, the staple food, with a covering of various spicy sauces as on the right. However, steamed millet, couscous, cassava is also eaten. The defining ingredients for these various dishes are either peanut butter paste (Domoda), ladies fingers (Okra), palm oil (chew deu terr) or edible leaves such as spinach or cassava leaves. Very popular among poor families is Mbahal which is rice mixed with grated peanuts, dried fish such as bonga. Many of these dishes are also common to Senegalese cooking as both countries have common cultural ties. Some of the best known authentic dishes are 'Domoda' (peanut butter sauce), 'supakanja' (okra stew), 'benachin' (Jolof Rice), 'Chere' (couscous type millet), chicken 'Yassa' (fried chicken in onions).