The island capital that was once a British military outpost

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before it was the vibrant capital of The Gambia, this island settlement was a strategic tool for colonial expansion. From its origins as a trading post to its recent history of political upheaval, the story of Banjul is a complex tapestry of migration, trade, and shifting identities.

Banjul, located on St. Mary's Island where the Gambia River meets the Atlantic, has a layered history of colonial and local influence. In 1651, the island was leased by the Duke of Courland and Semigallia as part of the Curonian colonization. However, the modern foundation of the settlement dates to 1816, when Alexander Grant, acting under orders from Charles MacCarthy, established a military garrison. This post was designed to control the Gambia estuary and suppress the slave trade. At the time, the King of Kombo, Tumani Bojang, ceded the island to Grant in exchange for an annual payment of 103 iron bars.

Under British rule, the settlement was known as Bathurst, named after the 3rd Earl Bathurst, the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. The town's layout featured streets named after generals from the Battle of Waterloo. Over the decades, the population grew through migration, forming a diverse community of Africans—including Wolof, Mandinka, Jola, and Fula—alongside Levantine, English, French, and Portuguese residents. The Wolof population, for instance, grew significantly from 829 in 1881 to over 10,000 by 1944.

The city's identity underwent major shifts in the 20th century. Following The Gambia's independence in 1965, the name was officially changed to Banjul in 1973. The city has also faced significant political and environmental challenges. In 1994, a bloodless military coup led by Yahya Jammeh overthrew President Sir Dawda Jawara. Today, the city serves as the nation's economic hub, processing peanuts and exporting palm oil, but it faces a looming threat: Gambian officials warn that rising sea levels from climate change could eventually submerge the city.

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