Central River Division – MacCarthy Island and historic Georgetown
The region’s historic centre is Janjanbureh, formerly Georgetown, on MacCarthy Island in the Gambia River. Until 1995 the division was known as MacCarthy Island Division, established in the early 20th century as one of the five administrative areas of the Gambia Protectorate.
The region is also home to the ancient Senegambian stone circles at Wassu, recognised as World Heritage and testimony to societies that lived here long before colonial times. Today Central River is the largest of Gambia’s five regions, stretching along both banks of the river, with Bansang as its largest settlement. Share your stories of river life, farming and village traditions with the community!