Formerly a British colony and from 18 February 1965 an independent monarchy within the British Commonwealth, it became a republic in 1970. From 1982 to 1989 it was unified with Senegal in the Senegambia Confederation. In 1994 a military coup d’état brought Y. Jammeh to power, who led the country at the helm of the APRC even after the revival of democracy in 1996; his rejection of the outcome of the 2016 elections, won by the opposition, sparked protests that forced him into exile in 2017.
According to the Constitution of 1997, the President of the Republic is elected by direct suffrage for 5 years; the National Assembly is made up of 53 members elected for 5 years (with 5 additional members appointed by the President).

The agricultural system is based on the mono-crop of peanuts. Subsistence crops include millet, rice, maize, sorghum and cassava. Forestry resources are important. Industry is limited to the processing of agricultural products. Of great importance are the earnings sent home by emigrants, international aid and re-exportation, helped by low customs duties. The banking sector is relevant, as is tourism with visitors mainly from Europe.