A river island at the heart of a painful history
Kunta Kinteh Island, formerly James Island, lies in the Gambia River and holds the ruins of a fort used by European traders, including in the slave trade. It is named after the character in Alex Haley's Roots, whose story began in the nearby village of Juffureh. Together with Juffureh, Albreda and other sites on the riverbanks, the island forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Boat trips from Banjul combine the island with the museum at Albreda.