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In 1660 the British established a fort on Fort James Island. During the 18th century, Britain and France struggled for supremacy in the area. The British established a trading post at Bathurst at the mouth of the river in 1807 and carved out a zone of influence. In 1889 its present boundaries were settled with France, and Gambia became a crown colony. Slavery was abolished in the colony in 1906. In 1965 the colony became independent. | stamp Ga |
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Gambia is a tiny coastal republic of West Africa. Totally surrounded by Senegal except for its Atlantic coast, the country occupies the lower and central Gambia River valley and is one of Africa's smallest nations. Its narrow strip of land is only about 24 to 48 km (15 to 30 mi) wide and stretches eastward from the Atlantic Ocean for 475 km (295 mi). |
In 1965 the colony became independent. |
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