The country almost entirely surrounded by Senegal and with a short Atlantic coast is The Gambia.
The Gambia occupies a narrow strip of land following the lower Gambia River. Senegal surrounds it on the north, east, and south, while the Atlantic Ocean forms its western edge. This unusual shape reflects Britain’s historical control of the river and France’s control of surrounding Senegal.
The present borders were largely established through British-French negotiations in 1889. The Gambia became independent in 1965, retaining its distinctive river corridor. Its capital, Banjul, stands near the river’s mouth on St. Mary’s Island.
A common mix-up is confusing The Gambia with Guinea-Bissau, another small West African country with a Portuguese colonial history. The definite article is also part of the country’s usual English name: “The Gambia.”