Overview
Kerewan is both a town and a Local Government Area (LGA) in The Gambia. It serves as the headquarters of the North Bank Region and lies north of the main course of the Gambia River. Administratively, Kerewan is one of the country's eight LGAs and functions as a focal point for local government services, regional markets and transport links.
Geography and location
The Kerewan area occupies low-lying savannah and floodplain terrain typical of northern Gambia, with a climate that alternates between a wet season and a long dry season. The town and its surrounding settlements sit near the coordinates 13°30′N 16°05′W, which place it comfortably within the western portion of the country. Its position north of the river influences agriculture, fishing and seasonal river crossings that connect communities on both banks.
Economy and land use
Agriculture and fishing form the backbone of the local economy. Farmers cultivate groundnuts (peanuts), rice, millet and vegetables for both subsistence and local trade. Fishing along the Gambia River and associated wetlands supplies food for towns and villages. Local markets in Kerewan town attract traders from nearby districts and act as supply nodes for household goods and seasonal produce.
Administration, services and transport
As the regional administrative centre, Kerewan hosts government offices and basic public services such as primary and secondary schools, health clinics and agricultural extension services. Road links and river transport are important: ferries, bridges and rural tracks enable movement of people and goods across the North Bank, while market days and periodic transport routes connect Kerewan with the capital and other regions.
People and culture
The population is composed of several Gambian ethnic groups and language communities; local life combines farming, fishing and market commerce with customary festivals and social structures found throughout the country. Kerewan’s role as a regional hub gives it a mix of rural and small-town characteristics and makes it an important point for administration and trade in the North Bank Region.
Further reading
- Overview of Gambian local government: Local Government Areas
- Geography and river systems: Gambia River
- Map coordinates: 13°30′N 16°05′W