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Formerly the Portuguese colony of Portuguese Guinea, upon independence, the name of its capital, Bissau, was added to the country's name to prevent confusion with the Republic of Guinea.
Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable political and military upheaval. In 1980, a military coup established authoritarian dictator Joao Bernardo 'Nino' Vieira as president. Despite setting a path to a market economy and multiparty system, Vieira’s regime was characterized by the suppression of political opposition.
Several coup attempts through the 1980's and early 1990's failed to unseat him. In 1994, Vieira was elected president in the country's first free elections. A military mutiny and resulting civil war in 1998 eventually led to Vierira’s ouster in May 1999. In February 2000, a transitional government turned over power to opposition leader Kumba Yala, after he was elected president in transparent polling.
In September 2003, after only three years in office, Yala was ousted by the military in a bloodless coup, and businessman Henrique Rosa was sworn in as interim president. In 2005, former President Vieira was re-elected president pledging to pursue economic development and national reconciliation.
Vieira, who described himself as “God’s gift” to Guinea-Bissau, was killed by soldiers in March, 2009. He’s the only president of Guinea-Bissau to be assassinated. Malam Bacai Sanhá was elected the new president in elections in June, 2009.
Guinea-Bissau’s GPD per capita and its Human Development Index are two of the lowest in the world. Over 2/3 of its population live below the poverty level – all caused by political instability. |
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- Official Name Republic of Guinea-Bissau
- Population 1,533,964
- Capital City Bissau (pop. 407,424)
- Currency CFA Franc
- Currency Converter
- Languages Portuguese (official), and other local
languages
- Religions Traditional beliefs, Muslim, Christian,
others
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- Land Area 28,120 sq km (10,857 sq miles)
- Highest Point unnamed hill, 984 ft (300 m)
- Lowest Point Atlantic Ocean, 0 m (0 ft)
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Guinea-Bissau is generally a low-lying country. Its interior includes flat savanna and rain forests. The country's coastline is dominated by a few scattered beaches and swamps of mangroves.
The Bijagos Archipelago, a group of some eighteen major islands and dozens of smaller ones, extends along its Atlantic Ocean coastline. The Orango Islands National Park is its main attraction.
The Geba is a river of West Africa that rises in Guinea, then reaches the Atlantic Ocean in Guinea-Bissau. It is nearly 340 miles (550 km) in total length. |
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- Latitude/Longitude 11°45'N, 15°45'W
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Guinea's tourism industry is rather limited, as its growth and effectiveness is curtailed by poor infrastructure throughout the country, as well as decades of regional military conflicts.
Consider that there is no permanent U.S. diplomatic or consular presence in the country. The U.S. Embassy in Bissau suspended operations in June 1998, and while officials from the U.S. Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, make periodic visits to Guinea-Bissau, their ability to provide consular services, including emergency assistance, is very limited.
All travelers who plan to visit the country should read the travel warnings shown below.
Travel Recommendations Before finalizing and/or making your travel plans to any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate and research all of the important details regarding applicable health, passport and visa requirements.
If you require additional assistance, the experienced professionals at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions!
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Guinea-Bissau has a tropical
climate with two seasons: a wet season from June to November, with August
being the wettest month; and a dry season from December to May, with April
and May being the hottest months.
The prevailing westerly wind is the hot Harmattan which blows in from the Sahara Desert.
Average annual precipitation in Bissau is 1,950 mm (77 inches) while the average temperature range from 24 degrees Celsius (75 degrees Fahrenheit) to 27 degrees Celsius (81 degrees Fahrenheit) all year.
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African Village life...
A rural road, Guinea-Bissau...
A crowded street in Bissau...
Guinea-Bissau morning light... |
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