Bathurst (Banjul) founded as a trading post

Background. Banjul is situated on St Mary's Island, also known as Banjul Island, where the Gambia River meets the Atlantic Ocean. This strategic location facilitated its development as a key settlement. The city's origins lie in the establishment of a trading post, which later evolved into the capital of the Protectorate of the Gambia, attracting population growth through colonial activities.

Establishment. The founding of the settlement occurred on 23 April 1816, when Tumani Bojang, King of Kombo, ceded the island to Alexander Grant, the British commandant. The agreement involved an annual fee of 103 iron bars. Grant subsequently established the trading post, constructing necessary infrastructure such as houses and barracks to manage the estuary entrance and combat the slave trade.

Administrative Evolution. Initially a trading post, the settlement was officially declared the capital of the Protectorate of the Gambia in 1889. This status change led to increased population. Over the 20th century, the city became a major attraction for Gambians due to job opportunities created by British colonial activities and social amenities, including cinemas and cultural institutions.