{"population":2639916,"blurb":{"text":"The Gambia, officially the Republic of The Gambia, is a country in West Africa. Geographically, The Gambia is the smallest country in continental Africa; it is bounded by Senegal on all sides except for the western part, which is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean.","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gambia"},"vexillology":{"text":"The national flag of The Gambia consists of three horizontal red, blue and green bands separated by two thin white stripes. Adopted in 1965 to replace the British Blue Ensign defaced with the arms of the Gambia Colony and Protectorate, it has been the flag of the Republic of the Gambia since the country gained independence that year. It remained unchanged throughout the Gambia's seven-year confederation with Senegal.","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Gambia"},"flagDesign":{"text":"The colours of the flag carry cultural, political, and regional meanings. The blue alludes to the Gambia River, which is the nation's key geographical feature and from which the country derives its name. The red evokes the sun – given the Gambia's close proximity to the Equator – as well as the savanna, while the thin white stripes represent \"unity and peace\". The green symbolizes the forest and the agricultural goods that the Gambian people are heavily dependent on, both for exports and their personal use.\n\nThe flag's colour scheme of red, blue, green and white is the same as the one featured on the coat of arms of the Gambia.","url":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_Gambia"},"photos":[],"absent":["photos"]}