A wide variety of ethnic groups live in The Gambia, each preserving its own language and traditions with minimal intertribal friction. The Mandinka are the largest ethnic group with 40% of the population, followed by the Fula, the Wolof, the Jola, and the Serahuli. The Aku also live here although only constituting a small community. Approximately 15,000 non-Africans live in The Gambia, including about 20,000 Europeans 2,500 persons of Lebanese origin. The Mandinka are a Mande people of West Africa, all descendent physically or culturally from the ancient Mali Empire which controlled the trans-Saharic trade from the Middle East to West Africa. ... Categories: Africa-related stubs | Burkina Faso | Cameroon | Ethnic groups of Africa | Fulani Empire | Mali | Nigeria ... The Wolofs are an ethnic group living in Senegal, the Gambia and Mauritania. ... The Jola are an ethnic group found in Senegal, The Gambia, and Guinea-Bissau. ... The Soninke (also called Sarakole, Seraculeh, or Serahuli) are a Mandé people who were the founders of the ancient empire of Ghana c. ... The Aku are a minority ethnic group of Gambia (about 1% of the population). ...

Muslims constitute more than 92% of the population. Christians of various denominations account for most of the remainder. Gambians officially observe the holidays of both religions and practice religious tolerance. A Muslim (Arabic: مسلم, Turkish:Müslüman, Persian:مسلمان) is an adherent of Islam. ... A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. ...

More than 80% of Gambians live in rural villages, although more and more young people come to the capital in search of work and education. While urban migration, development projects, and modernization are bringing more Gambians into contact with Western habits and values, the traditional emphasis on the extended family, as well as indigenous forms of dress and celebration, remain integral parts of everyday life.

Population: 1,367,124 (July 2000 est.)

Age structure:
0-14 years: 45% (male 311,293; female 308,570)
15-64 years: 52% (male 352,765; female 358,258)
65 years and over: 3% (male 19,099; female 17,139) (2000 est.)

Population growth rate: 3.2% (2000 est.)

Birth rate: 42.28 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Death rate: 13.21 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Net migration rate: 2.97 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.)

Sex ratio:
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2000 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 79.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 53.2 years
male: 51.29 years
female: 55.16 years (2000 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.76 children born/woman (2000 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Gambian(s)
adjective: Gambian

Ethnic groups: African 98.5% (Mandinka 42%, Fula 18%, Wolof 16%, Jola 10%, Serahuli 9%, other 4%), non-African 1.5%

Religions: Muslim 90%, Christian 9%, indigenous beliefs 1%

Languages: English (official), Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, other indigenous vernaculars The Mandinka language is a Mandé language spoken by some 1. ...

Literacy:
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 38.6%
male: 52.8%
female: 24.9% (1995 est.)

See also : The Gambia