Stepping into the “Smiling Coast of Africa”—welcome to the Gambia, the smallest country on mainland Africa. It is a unique, sliver-shaped nation that is almost entirely surrounded by Senegal, following the winding path of the Gambia River. There are around 3 million people living here, and the capital is Banjul, though the largest urban area is Serekunda. The official language is English, while Mandinka, Wolof, and Fula are widely spoken.

The Gambia covers about 10,689 square kilometers (4,127 square miles). That’s about half the size of the state of New Jersey in the U.S., or about one-third the size of Belgium. The country is never more than about 48 kilometers (30 miles) wide!

The most popular sport is Football, but Traditional Wrestling (called Boreh) is a major cultural event, often accompanied by drumming and traditional rituals. Their national animal is the Spotted Hyena, though the country is most famous for its incredible birdlife.

The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of red, blue, and green separated by thin white stripes, where the red represents the sun and the savannah, the blue symbolizes the Gambia River, the green stands for the land and forests, and the white stripes represent peace and unity.

The food is bold and nutty. You must try Domoda, a delicious peanut stew made with meat or fish and served over rice—it is the national favorite. Another popular dish is Benachin (known elsewhere as Jollof rice), a one-pot meal of spiced rice, vegetables, and meat that originated with the Wolof people.

The Gambia is home to the Gambia River, which is the heart of the nation and remains one of the most navigable waterways in Africa. Along its banks, you can find the Kunta Kinteh Island (formerly James Island), a UNESCO World Heritage site that tells the somber story of the transatlantic slave trade. If you are a nature lover, the country is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with over 500 species of birds packed into its small territory. You can also visit the Senegambian Stone Circles, ancient burial mounds that are part of a larger complex stretching into Senegal, some dating back to the 3rd century BCE. Despite its small size, the Gambia is famous for its hospitality, which is why it earned its “Smiling Coast” nickname.

From the vibrant Atlantic beach resorts to the quiet, mangrove-lined creeks of the interior, the Gambia is a land of color, rhythm, and history. Abaraka! That means “Thank you!”