A Day In Gambia Diary
Imagine you're growing up in The Gambia, and write about a typical day on this diary page. Think about things like school, food and hobbies!
Gambia
The Gambia is one of the smallest African countries - but home to 569 species of birds! Learn a little more about the country and enjoy our printable activities.
Two women and a boy walking in The Gambia
A Little Geography
- The Gambia (officially the Republic of The Gambia and also known as just Gambia) is a small, narrow country that snakes inland along Africa's west coast on the floodplain of the Gambia River.
- It is surrounded entirely by Senegal, with the exception of a short coastline along the Atlantic Ocean.
- The Gambia is the smallest non-island country on the continent but is one of the most densely populated. More than half of the population lives in urban areas, particularly around Banjul, the capital.
- The capital city Banjul is located where the Gambia River meets the Atlantic Ocean.
- The Gambia River is navigable throughout the whole length of The Gambia and is used for the transportation of passengers, goods and mail.
A Little History
- First mentioned by Carthaginian travellers in 470BC, the area where The Gambia is today was once part of Mali and Kaabu Empires.
- Trading rights were sold to Britain in 1588 by the Portuguese, who were the first Europeans to establish trade with the Kingdom of Mali.
- The Gambia was the site of the first British settlement established to trade slaves in 1661 and an estimated 3 million slaves were sold to European slave ships. Slavery was abolished in The Gambia in 1906, much later than in Britain (in 1833).
- The Gambia officially became a British Colony in 1888.
- On February 18, 1965, Gambia gained full independence.
- In October 2013, the Gambian interior minister announced that The Gambia would leave the Commonwealth. The Gambia officially rejoined the Commonwealth, however, in February 2018.
Fun Facts about The Gambia
- The country was made famous by the novel Roots, the hero of which, Kunte Kinte, was a slave from The Gambia.
- Baboon Islands is a rehabilitation centre for chimpanzees, and humans are forbidden to visit!
- Tourists enjoy sunbathing on pristine white beaches whilst bird watchers are attracted by 569 species of birds.
- One of the most popular sports in The Gambia is a form of wrestling called Borreh. The sport can be traced back to the 13th century when tribes would battle for supremacy.
- Peanuts are one of the biggest exports from The Gambia, and are also used in many Gambian dishes.
- The Kachikally crocodile pool located about 10 miles from the capital Banjul is one of three sacred crocodile pools used as sites for fertility rituals. During the rainy season, some of the young resident crocodiles from the pool wander to the surrounding town and countryside, and occasionally end up in nearby houses!
Malachite Kingfisher spotted by the Gambia River
About the Gambian Flag
The National flag of Gambia consists of a horizontal tricolour of red, blue and green. The stripes are separated by thinner white stripes. The red, blue and green symbolize the sun, the Gambia river and the land respectively and the white represents peace between all. The flag was adopted in February 1965, when Gambia became fully independent from Britain.
Gambia Flags and Other Printables
Climate Of Gambia Worksheet
The kids will enjoy this climate worksheet with a difference! Can they find out about the climate of The Gambia, then find out the current forecast and enter the information into the phone app template?
Culture In Gambia Worksheet
The Gambia may be one of the smallest countries in Africa, but it is full of rich and diverse culture. Find out a little about the different aspects of culture in the country and write some text, draw illustrations or stick in pictures.
Design A Tourism Poster For Gambia
Design a tourism poster for The Gambia using this template - what will you write and draw to catch people's attention?
Food From Gambia Worksheet
Find out a little about the food that is grown and eaten in The Gambia, then draw a typical meal on the plate...
Gambia Booklet
Our Gambia booklet could be included in a lapbook on a project on African or the Commonwealth. Folding instructions can be found here.
Gambia Bookmarks
Printing 5 to a page we have 4 varieties of bookmark celebrating the Gambia.
Gambia Coat Of Arms Worksheet
The coat of arms of The Gambia is certainly very colourful, but can the children find out what the different parts mean? We also have a second worksheet which lets the kids design their own coat of arms (both worksheets available to download below).
Gambia Compare And Contrast Venn Diagram
Use this Venn diagram to compare and contrast life in The Gambia with your own. Remember to think about lots of different aspects of life and culture, such as education, food and hobbies...
Gambia Compare And Contrast Worksheet
Do some research about life in The Gambia, then use this compare and contrast worksheet to compare daily life there with your own.
Gambia Fact Worksheet
Children will need to do a little research on The Gambia to fill in the facts and statistics that we ask for in this worksheet.
Gambia Facts Poster
These colourful facts posters are a simple way for the kids to learn a few key facts about different countries. This one is for The Gambia.
Gambia Factsheet
This simple factsheet is perfect for your studies on The Gambia! Print and stick into project books, or display on a classroom wall.
Gambia Flag Colouring Page
You might need a copy of the coloured flag to help you get the details on this Gambia colouring flag correct.
Gambia Flag Jigsaw
A fun way to learn different flags is with our printable jigsaws, this one features the Gambian flag. A guide to help you cut the jigsaw can be found here.
Gambia Flag Printable
There are three sizes of flag on this Gambia flag printable, from full page to map toppers.
Gambia Location Worksheet
These two worksheets will help children learn to locate Gambia on a map of Africa. The guided worksheet gives the country names; the other is blank!
Gambia National Flower Colouring Page
This stunning colouring page features the Gambian national flower, the white variety orchid. We've left a gap around the edge so it's perfect for framing once completed.
Gambia Notebooking Page
Use one of our two Gambia notebooking pages to display your project work about this African country.
Gambia On Map Of Africa
Gambia is marked in red on this outline map of Africa. Children might be surprised to see how small it is compared to some of the other African countries.
Gambia Picture Gallery
Grab some pens and draw some pictures of The Gambia in this fun picture gallery - there's space for 5 pictures!
Gambia Postcard 1
What would it be like to visit The Gambia? Try and describe the sights, smells and sounds and the activities you might do on this postcard!
Gambia Postcard 2
Draw your own picture on this postcard from The Gambia, then write about some of the things you might see and do there!
Gambia Poster 1
The Gambia looks like a beautiful country to visit, but if you can't take a trip there you can admire this lovely poster instead!
Gambia Poster 2
The Gambia is the smallest country on the continent of Africa, and has quite an unusual outline - print and display this poster to help the kids learn to recognise it (and the colours of the flag too).
Gambia Quiz
There are some tricky questions on this quiz all about The Gambia, but you can use our 'Introduction to The Gambia' factsheet to help you answer them.
Gambia Story Paper
Use this lovely story paper as inspiration to write about The Gambia - you could write down some facts, or try writing a creative story. We've got two versions to choose from below: lined, and with handwriting lines.
Gambia Study Pack
We've got a 25-page study pack for The Gambia that's full of worksheets and activities! It's aimed at children between ages 7-11, but there also activities that would suit both older and younger children.
Gambia Tourist Leaflet
Our tourist leaflet templates are a fun activity to try when learning about a country. Can the kids design the contents of this 3-fold tourist leaflet for The Gambia?
Gambia Travel Brochure Worksheet
Imagine you have been asked to write some content for a travel brochure to The Gambia. What would you include? There's space to draw a picture too...
Gambia Travel Brochure Worksheet
Do some research on The Gambia, then practise literacy skills by writing some content for a travel brochure. There's room for a picture too!
Gambia Word Search
Can you find the 15 words all to do with The Gambia that are hidden in this word search?
Gambia Worksheet
Use this simple worksheet to gather some interesting facts on Gambia!
Introduction To Gambia
You'll soon have a bit of knowledge about The Gambia if you read our quick and easy introduction pages!
Packing For Gambia Worksheet
Visiting The Gambia would be interesting! But what would you need to pack if you were staying there? Find out a little more about the country, then write down or draw the items you would need in the suitcase.
Wildlife Of Gambia Worksheet
Did you know that there are 6 primate species found in the Gambia? Find out about the other wildlife found here, and the plants found in the Gambia too and record your research on this worksheet.
