North Bank Division

North Bank was one of the five administrative divisions of the Gambia. Its capital was Kerewan. It was subsequently reorganised as the Kerewan Local Government Area (LGA), without any change in the area covered. Per 2013 census, the region had a population of 221,054 with a population density of 98 inh./km2. The total number of households was 18,458 as of 2003. As of 2003, the total area of the region is 2255.5 km2. The infant mortality rate was 81 for every thousand births and the under-five mortality was 109 per every thousand births. The poverty gap ratio was 33.2 per cent as of 2003. Geography The Gambia is the smallest country in Africa, with the width of the country never exceeding . It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west, while being surrounded by Senegal in all other directions. The Gambia River flows throughout the country and is the principal source of water and transport medium. The banks of the river have swampy beaches, while it has alluvial soil in all other parts, which is conducive for the growth of rice. Peanuts are the major cashcrop. The weather is usually warm and dry. The elevation of the country reaches to a maximum of above mean sea level. There are vast segments of sedimentary sandstone and claystone in the valleys of the rivers and the regions surrounding it. The river flows from Guinea and has an east–west axis. The shallow water in the coastline are important sources of fishing. There are mangrove and banto forests along the coastline. Over the river segment of , there are numerous creeks, which are locally called boloons. The months from June to September experience a wet season, while the remaining seven months are dry. The average annual rainfall is around in the south east, while it is in the northwest. Experts have assessed that the overall rainfall during the century period between 1886 and 1992, there has been a reduction in rainfall of around 15-20 per cent and the wet season has been shortened. Demographics Per 2013 census, the region had a population of 221,054 with a population density of 098. The total number of households was 18,458 as of 2003. As of 2003, the total area of the region is 2255.5 km2. The infant mortality rate was 81 for every thousand births and the under-five mortality was 109 per every thousand births. The poverty gap ratio was 33.2 per cent as of 2003. The literacy rate of the province was 59.8 compared to a national average of 62.9 per cent.