Why The Gambia Is So Narrow

This country is so narrow it looks drawn with a ruler and its shape comes from a single river.

The country is The Gambia, in West Africa. It stretches about 480 kilometers long,

but is often less than 50 kilometers wide. Almost entirely surrounded by Senegal.

Its borders follow the Gambia River. The reason goes back to the 18th and 19th centuries.

Britain and France were competing for control in West Africa. France dominated

the surrounding region what became Senegal. Britain wanted access to the Gambia River

for trade and transport inland. In 1889, Britain and France signed an agreement.

Britain kept control of the river and a narrow strip of land on both sides. France kept everything