What countries border Guinea-Bissau?
What is the current weather in Guinea-Bissau?
What is the capital of Guinea-Bissau?
Capital | Bissau |
Government Type | Semi-presidential republic |
Currency | Guinea-Bissau Peso (GWP) and CFA Franc BCEAO (XOF) |
Total Area |
13,948 Square Miles 36,125 Square Kilometers |
Location | Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea and Senegal |
Language | Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages |
GDP - real growth rate | 4.7% |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | $1,500.00 (USD) |
What is the population of Guinea-Bissau?
Ethnic Groups | African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1% |
Nationality Noun | Guinean(s) |
Population | 1,927,104 |
Population Growth Rate | 1.95% |
Population in Major Urban Areas | BISSAU (capital) 423,000 |
Urban Population | 43.900000 |
What type of government does Guinea-Bissau have?
Executive Branch |
Chief of State: President Umaro Sissoco EMBALO (since 27 February 2020); note - President EMBALO was declared winner of the 29 December 2019 runoff presidential election by the electoral commission; in late February 2020, EMBALO inaugurated himself with only military leadership present, even though the Supreme Court of Justice had yet to rule on an electoral litigation appeal lodged by his political rival Domingos Simoes PEREIRA Head of Government: Prime Minister Rui Duarte DE BARROS (since 27 December 2023); note - on 4 December 2023 the president dissolved the parliament Cabinet: Cabinet nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president Elections/Appointments: President directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for up to 2 consecutive 5-year terms; the election last held on 24 November 2019 with a runoff on 29 December 2019 (next to be held in 2024); prime minister appointed by the president after consultation with party leaders in the National People's Assembly; note - the president cannot apply for a third consecutive term Election results: 2019: Umaro Sissoco EMBALO elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Domingos Simoes PEREIRA (PAIGC) 40.1%, Umaro Sissoco EMBALO (Madem G15) 27.7%, Nuno Gomez NABIAM (APU-PDGB) 13.2%, Jose Mario VAZ (independent) 12.4%, other 6.6%; percent of vote in second round - Umaro Sissoco EMBALO 53.6%, Domingos Simoes PEREIRA 46.5% (2019) |
Suffrage | 18 years of age; universal |
Citizenship |
Citizenship by birth: Yes Citizenship by descent only: Yes Dual citizenship recognized: No Residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years |
National Holiday | Independence Day, 24 September (1973) |
Constitution |
History: Promulgated 16 May 1984; note - constitution suspended following military coup April 2012, restored 2014; note - in May 2020, President EMBALO established a commission to draft a revised constitution Amendments: Proposed by the National People’s Assembly if supported by at least one-third of its members, by the Council of State (a presidential consultant body), or by the government; passage requires approval by at least a two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly; constitutional articles on the republican and secular form of government and national sovereignty cannot be amended; amended 1991, 1993, 1996 |
Independence | 24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal) |
What environmental issues does Guinea-Bissau have?
Climate | Tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds |
Border Countries | Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km |
Environment - Current Issues | Deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing |
Environment - International Agreements |
Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements |
Terrain | Mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east |
How big is the Guinea-Bissau economy?
Economic Overview |
Guinea-Bissau is highly dependent on subsistence agriculture, cashew nut exports, and foreign assistance. Two out of three Bissau-Guineans remain below the absolute poverty line. The legal economy is based on cashews and fishing. Illegal logging and trafficking in narcotics also play significant roles. The combination of limited economic prospects, weak institutions, and favorable geography have made this West African country a way station for drugs bound for Europe. Guinea-Bissau has substantial potential for development of mineral resources, including phosphates, bauxite, and mineral sands. Offshore oil and gas exploration has begun. The country’s climate and soil make it feasible to grow a wide range of cash crops, fruit, vegetables, and tubers; however, cashews generate more than 80% of export receipts and are the main source of income for many rural communities. The government was deposed in August 2015, and since then, a political stalemate has resulted in weak governance and reduced donor support. The country is participating in a three-year, IMF extended credit facility program that was suspended because of a planned bank bailout. The program was renewed in 2017, but the major donors of direct budget support (the EU, World Bank, and African Development Bank) have halted their programs indefinitely. Diversification of the economy remains a key policy goal, but Guinea-Bissau’s poor infrastructure and business climate will constrain this effort. |
Industries | Agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks |
Currency Name and Code | Guinea-Bissau Peso (GWP) and CFA Franc BCEAO (XOF) |
Export Partners | India 50%, Thailand 19.2%, Uruguay 19.2% |
Import Partners | Senegal 19.6%, Portugal 18.8%, India 15.2% |
What current events are happening in Guinea-Bissau?
Source: Google News
What makes Guinea-Bissau a unique country to travel to?