Real size
How big is the Gambia really?
10,300 km²
3,990 sq mi · 6th smallest of the 167 here · about the size of Lebanon
Normal web maps show it about the right size
The Gambia covers 10,300 km² (3,990 sq mi), about the size of Lebanon. It sits close to the equator, where normal web maps barely stretch land, so they show it at about its real size, and make countries farther from the equator look bigger than it.
Measured from our map outlines, so official figures can differ by a few percent. Ranks count the 167 countries and territories on these pages: those over 5,000 km², not counting disputed territories.
- Real area
- 10,300 km²
- Size rank
- 162nd of 167
- On a normal web map
- About right
- Latitude
- 13°N
Countries about the same size
- LebanonAbout the same size
- JamaicaJamaica is 1.1 times the size of the Gambia
- QatarQatar is 1.1 times the size of the Gambia
- VanuatuVanuatu is 1.1 times the size of the Gambia
- Puerto RicoThe Gambia is 1.2 times the size of Puerto Rico
The Gambia through history
Borders here have moved many times. Step through our maps, from 2000 BCE to today, to see who ruled this land before, and how big their realms really were.
Open the history map →Browse the eras →
Common questions
- How big is the Gambia?
- The Gambia covers about 10,300 km² (3,990 sq mi). It is the 6th smallest of the 167 countries and territories on these pages (those over 5,000 km²).
- Do maps show the Gambia at the right size?
- Mostly. The Gambia lies close enough to the equator that a normal web map draws it only about 1.1 times too big, while countries far to the north or south are drawn several times too big.
- Is the Gambia bigger than Lebanon?
- They are about the same size: within 5% of each other.
- Is the Gambia bigger than Jamaica?
- No. Jamaica is about 1.1 times the size of the Gambia.