Banjul & The Coast
The River Gambia is several miles wide at its mouth near Cape St Mary. It narrows to 5km (3 miles) at Banjul (known as Bathurst in pre-independence days), which is situated on St Mary’s Island and has a deep and sheltered harbour.
The only sizeable town in the country, Banjul is also the seat of government. There is an interesting National Museum. The area around MacCarthy Square has a colonial atmosphere, with pleasant 19th-century architecture. Nearby is the craft market. Souvenirs and local handicrafts can also be bought at various bengdulala (meaning a ‘meeting place’ in the Mandinka language); shopping areas consisting of African-style stalls, usually built near hotels.
The Atlantic coast to the south of Banjul boasts some of the finest beaches in all of Africa with no less than 15 hotels in the Banjul, Kombo and St Mary area. They are served by the international airport at Yundum, 15 miles southwest of the capital.
|
