The Gambia

Coordinates: 13°28′N 16°34′W / 13.467°N 16.567°W / 13.467; -16.567

The Gambia (ⁱ/ˈɡæmbiə/, officially the Republic of the Gambia and often called simply Gambia) is a country in West Africa mostly surrounded by Senegal with a short strip of its coastline bordered with the Atlantic Ocean at its western end. It is the smallest country on mainland Africa.

The Gambia is situated on either side of the Gambia River, the nation's namesake, which flows through the centre of the Gambia and empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Its area is 10,689 square kilometres (4,127 sq mi) with a population of 1,882,450 at the 15 April 2013 Census (provisional). Banjul is the Gambian capital, and the largest cities are Serekunda and Brikama.

The Gambia shares historical roots with many other West African nations in the slave trade, which was the key factor in the placing and keeping of a colony on the Gambia River, first by the Portuguese, during which era it was A Gâmbia, and later, on 25 May 1765, the Gambia was made a part of the British colony when the government formally assumed control, establishing the Province of Senegambia. On 18 February 1965, the Gambia gained independence from the United Kingdom. Since gaining independence, the Gambia has had two leaders – Dawda Jawara, who ruled from 1970 until 1994, when the current leader Yahya Jammeh seized power in a coup as a young army officer.

Gambia River

The Gambia River (formerly known as the River Gambra) is a major river in West Africa, running 1,130 kilometres (700 mi) from the Fouta Djallon plateau in north Guinea westward through Senegal and the Gambia to the Atlantic Ocean at the city of Banjul. It is navigable for about half that length.

The river is strongly associated with the Gambia, the smallest country in mainland Africa, which consists of little more than the downstream half of the river and its two banks.

From the Fouta Djallon, the river runs northwest into the Tambacounda Region of Senegal, where it flows through the Parc National du Niokolo Koba, then is joined by the Nieri Ko and Koulountou before entering the Gambia at Fatoto. At this point the river runs generally west, but in a meandering course with a number of oxbows, and about 100km from its mouth it gradually widens, to over 10km wide where it meets the sea.

Near the mouth of the river, near Juffure, is Kunta Kinteh Island, a place used in the slave trade which is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Öland

Öland (Swedish pronunciation: [ˈøːland]) is the second largest Swedish island and the smallest of the traditional provinces of Sweden. Öland has an area of 1,342 km² and is located in the Baltic Sea just off the coast of Småland. The island has 25,000 inhabitants. It is separated from the mainland by the Kalmar Strait and connected to it by the 6-km Öland Bridge, which opened on 30 September in 1972.

Administration

The traditional provinces of Sweden no longer serve administrative or political purposes but still exist as historical and cultural entities. Öland is part of the administrative county of Kalmar County (Kalmar län) and consists of the two municipalities of Borgholm Municipality and Mörbylånga Municipality. There was an Öland County in the short period between 1819 and 1826; otherwise, the island has been part of Kalmar County since 1634.

Heraldry

Öland was granted provincial arms in 1560, but it would not be until the 1940s that the province was assigned its proper ones. The arms granted to Öland had been mixed up with the arms granted to Åland and this was not discovered until the 20th century. While Öland changed its coat of arms, Åland, which was now a Finnish (autonomous) province, kept its established but originally unintended coat of arms. The deer is meant to symbolise the status of Öland as a royal game park and the arms are topped by a ducal crown. Blazon: "Azure a Deer Or attired, hoofed and gorged Gules."

Sixology

Sixology (Chinese: JJ陸) is Singaporean Mandopop Singer-songwriter JJ Lin's sixth Mandarin studio album. It was released on 18 October 2008 by the Ocean Butterflies Music and contains 14 tracks. It is called this because it is his sixth album. There are three versions for this album. The song "主角" is popular in China, with many performances recently and concerts in many cities.

The album was awarded one of the Top 10 Selling Mandarin Albums of the Year at the 2009 IFPI Hong Kong Album Sales Awards, presented by the Hong Kong branch of IFPI.

Track list

Land (Tree63 album)

Land is the seventh studio album by Tree63. Fuel Music released the album on September 11, 2015.

Critical reception

Awarding the album four and a half stars from CCM Magazine, Kevin Sparkman writes, "Tree63's Land deserves nothing short of a ticker-tape parade." Mary Nikkel, giving the album four stars at New Release Today, states, "Although this album may largely appeal to a particular niche, for any who choose to sail into its rich waters, it is a voyage well worth the taking." Signaling in a four star review by Jesus Freak Hideout, describes, "The fact is that Land is without a doubt the most diverse, nuanced, and interesting Tree63 album yet, while maintaining a worshipful tone...Land is a quality record that should be heard." Chris Webb, assigning the album a nine out of ten for Cross Rhythms, says, "This album is not just to support some live performances; this is a stand-alone statement of intent that Tree63 are back on track."

Rob Snyder, rating the album an A for Alpha Omega News, says, "the lyrics are simple but inspiring and real". Giving the album a 4.0 out of five by Christian Music Review, Laura Chambers states, "Land authentically...[concludes] that God is good and His promises are real, no matter how it might seem". Scott Mertens, indicating in a three out of five review at The Phantom Tollbooth, replies, "Land is a mix of the big, arena sound of their past and softer, mellower works." Rating the album four stars from Worship Leader, Jay Akins states, "Strong melodies and well-written stories draw the listen into the moments of each song. Land is a great album full of hope and compassion for everyone listening."