Guinea Bissau is located on the west coast (bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean) of West Africa and borders on Senegal to the north and The Republic of Guinea Conakry to the east and south. The capital, Bissau, is a quiet and pleasant African city with a population of approximately 490,000 (2015 est.). The local cuisine is based on rice, poultry and seafood.
The climate is tropical, with a rainy season from June to October. The dry season is from December to April, with winds which originate in the interior of the continent. The humidity is high between May and October. The temperature varies with the altitude and the distance from the coast.
Guests should bring light tropical clothes, preferably cotton, and rain gear in the rainy season.
Under the terms of the 1984 Constitution, the legislative power belongs to the National Assembly, which is composed of 102 members directly elected by the people for a term of four years. The executive power is held by the President of the Republic who is the Chief of State and governs with the help of a council of ministers led by the Prime Minister. The President is elected directly by the people for a term of five years. Public offices function from Monday to Friday for the hours 07:30 to 14:00.
Population: 1,726,170 (2015 est.)
Infant Mortality Rate: 89.21 deaths/1000 live births (2015 est.)
Total Fertility Rate: 4.23 children/woman (2015 est.)
Nationality: Guinean
Ethnic Groups: 99% African (Balanta 30%; Fula 20%; Manjaca 14%; Mandinga 13%; Pepel 7%) European and Mixed Race less than 1%.
Religions: Indigenous 50%; Moslem 42%; Christian 8%
Languages: Portuguese (official), Creole, African languages
Literacy: Age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.) Total Population: 59.9%; Men: 71.8%; Women: 48.3% (1997)
Food and Drink: Hotels and restaurants are not numerous in Bissau but those that are there offer excellent food, although some charge high prices. The local food includes locally grown rice, poultry and seafood. Cassava, yam, corn and other foods are enjoyed.
Shopping: Local crafts and wood carvings can be found in the market. They can also be found in more modern stores in Bissau.
The currency is the CFA (African Financial Community) whose unit (1.00 FCFA) is divided into one hundred cents. There are notes in 10,000, 5,000, 2,500, 1000 and 500 denominations. The coins circulate in 250 100, 50 25, 10, 5 and 1 denominations. Guinea Bissau is a member of the Franco Zone and its currency is issued by the Banque Central des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Central Bank of West African States).
Considered one of the poorest countries in the world, Guinea Bissau depends mainly on farming and fishing. In recent years, the cashew crops have increased remarkably, and the country has now reached sixth place in fruit production. Guinea Bissau exports fish and seafood, and also small amounts of peanuts, palm kernels and timber. Rice is the main food crop of the country. However, the recent war between government troops and the military junta (1998) destroyed much of the country’s infrastructure and caused widespread damage to the economy. The civil war reduced the GNP by 28%, with only a partial recovery in 1999. Before the war, trade reform and release price were the most successful parts of the structural adjustment program of the country under the auspices of the IMF. The tightening of monetary policy and the development of the private sector had also begun to reinvigorate the economy. Owing to the high costs, the development of petroleum, phosphate and other mineral resources are not a short-term perspective. However, oil reserves found in coastal exploration, could provide the revenue needed in the long term.
Main Products: rice, corn, beans, cassava, cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton, timber, fish
There is freedom of religion for all groups in Guinea Bissau. There is a carry over of animist traditions into both Islam and Christian practices.
