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Banjul, The Gambia |
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Onward and downward
(towards South Afercer...)
OK, wedged inside Senegal is the smallest country in Africa, called The Gambia - not just Gambia... but THE Gambia. It's a little over 30 miles wide at the widest (along the ocean), but mostly just 20-25 miles wide, and about 300 miles long. It follows the Gambia River - not the The Gambia River, just the Gambia River. Conversely, the Gambia River is found entirely in the The Gambia country. Go go figure. |
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Senegal, The Gambia, and the rest of the West African countries on our itinerary (Ghana and Togo), all border the Sahara Desert to the East and the North. Between November and March there occurs a wind, not unlike the 'fern' in Switzerland, or the Santa Ana in California (but not as severe), and like many other seasonal, and predictable, "winds" around the world. This one is a sandy, dusty wind called the Harmattan, that blows down from the desert. And, although it was not constantly blowing at the time we visited in late March, the air was very dusty and visibility was severely reduced - much like what an early morning fog would be like. However, as I said, this is a sandy dusty wind - therefore, cars not used, or undisturbed items outside get covered with this stuff.
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