Look at a map of West Africa and you will spot something unusual. A long, thin country stretches along both sides of the Gambia River, almost completely surrounded by Senegal. This is The Gambia, the smallest country on mainland Africa. On April 24, 1970, The Gambia became a republic after gaining independence from Britain in 1965. The country's strange shape is not an accident. When European powers divided Africa in the 1800s, Britain wanted control of the Gambia River for trade. France controlled the land around it, which became Senegal. The border follows the river, extending about 10 miles on each side. The Gambia River is the country's lifeline. Farmers grow peanuts, rice, and millet along its fertile banks. Fishermen catch shrimp and oysters in its waters. More than 500 species of birds live in the river's wetlands. The Gambia is one of the best birdwatching spots in the world. Despite being only about 30 miles wide at its widest point, the country is home to over 2.4 million people.