Located on St. Mary's (aka Banjul) Island, on the coast where the Gambia River empties into the Atlantic Ocean, this city of 73,000 (with some 413,000 in the surrounding metro area) was founded in 1816 by the British as a trading post. Highlights include the colonial-era State House, residence of the country's president; the Albert Market, also built during colonial times; and various churches and mosques (including the largest, named the King Fahd Mosque - pictured here with its twin minarets - because it was financed by Saudi Arabia).

IsaacTuray