The Republic of the Gambia commonly referred to as The Gambia or Gambia is situated in the western region of Africa. It has a land area of 10,380 km2 with an estimated population of 1,700,000. The agriculturally fertile country, dominated by farming, fishing, and tourism has its capital in Banjul. The official language is English and National languages include Mandinka, Wolof, Fula, Serer, and Jola. The raining season is short, from June to October, with most of the precipitation falling at night. The climate is dry and warm from December through February, the peak of the tourist season. Tourism in The Gambia has become the fastest-growing sector of the economy as visitors come in every year, drawn by its beaches, birds, sunshine, the culture and the country's biggest asset: the Gambian people, whose hospitality and friendliness have made it "The Smiling Coast.