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The Gambia is a small country in West Africa. On three sides its surrounded by Senegal, ( sometimes the Gambia is called the smile of Senegal). This is the reason how this two countries are having ethnical and cultural similarities.
From independent day 18.2, 1965 to april 1970, this country was led by parliamentarian democracy with a Prime minister, head of the country was Queen of England.
In 1970 this country became republic with a President as head of the country. In contrast to many other African countries has Gambia succeeded in keeping the democratic tradition, with open election every fifth year. There are also several political parties in the Gambia, in most of other African countries they have only one political parties. The system changed slightly in 1982 when it became possible to vote directly for the President.
The muslim part of the Gambia is counted to over 1 million. The largest ethnical groups are Fula, Jola, Mandinka, Serahule, and Wollof. The illiterate part of the citizens are counted as high as 73%. The human development index was calculated as no 173 out of 192 countries in 1992. Income per capita $360 (US) 1991 was one of the lowest in the world.
Despite economical and political difficulties Gambia has always been active at the international arena. As members of UN, Organization of African Unity and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Out of a strong tradition of peaceful respect for human rights "African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies" established 1989 by the Gambian parliament with a vision of "together with other African countries and international institutions, superintend human rights and democratic principles all over Africa ". It has to be pointed out that ACDHRS is lead by independent African lawyer and other competent expertise.
This small country has 1 million 400 thousand citizens, today there are approximately 2 000 known addicts. Which is a increase of 200% over the
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