why is it called the gambia and not gambia
The Gambia The name "Gambia" is derived from the Mandinka term Kambra/Kambaa, meaning Gambia river. According to the CIA World Factbook, the US Department of State, the Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World and the Permanent Committee on Geographical Names for British Official Use, The Gambia is one of only two countries whose self-standing short name for official use should begin with the word "The" (the other one being The Bahamas).[13] Upon independence in 1965, the country used the name The Gambia. Following the proclamation of a republic in 1970, the long-form name of the country became Republic of The Gambia.[14] The administration of Yahya Jammeh changed the long-form name to Islamic Republic of The Gambia in December 2015.[15] On 29 January 2017 the new President Adama Barrow said the country's name will[when?] go back to Republic of The Gambia.[16][17]
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone (/siːˈɛərə liːˈoʊniː, -liːˈoʊn/ ( listen)),[6] officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north-east, Liberia to the south-east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the south-west. Sierra Leone has a tropical climate, with a diverse environment ranging from savannah to rainforests. The country has a total area of 71,740 km2 (27,699 sq mi)[7] and a population of 7,075,641 (based on 2015 national census).[2] It is a constitutional republic with a directly elected president and a unicameral legislature.