Guinea-Bissau

Street in Bissau, the capital of Guinea-Bissau
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bissau4.jpg
Author: Colleen Taugher


Guinea-Bissau is a small country in West Africa. It is bordered by Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south. Covering 36,125 sq km (13,948 sq mi), Guinea-Bissau has a population of 1.6 million people (2011 estimate). Its capital and biggest city is Bissau.

The official language of Guinea-Bissau is Portuguese, although the majority of the population speak Kriol, a Portuguese-based creole language. Most of the people here follow African indigenous beliefs and Islam, with a small Christian minority.

Ministry of Justice in Guinea-Bissau
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bissau1.jpg
Author: Colleen Taugher


Guinea-Bissau observes Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+0). The official currency of the country is the CFA franc (XOF). Traffic is driven on the right here. The phone IDD code is +245.

Guinea-Bissau is one of the poorest countries in the world. Its 2009 estimated nominal GDP is only $826 million, equivalent to a per capita nominal GDP of $512. Its per capita GDP at purchasing power parity stood at only $1,068.

Guinea-Bissau is a tropical country. Its coastline is covered by mangroves while its interiors are savanna. The Bijagos Archipelago is located off the coast. The country was once part of the Kingdom of Gabu. It was gradually colonized by Portugal from the 16th century until it attained independence in 1974. The country has been unstable since, going through numerous coups d'état.

Termite hills in the savanna of Guinea-Bissau
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Paesaggio_savana_con_termitai_in_Guinea-Bissau.JPG
Author: Francofranco56

Planning your visit to Guinea-Bissau

Due to the volatile political situation in Guinea-Bissau, casual visitors are cautioned against paying it a visit until the condition improves.

Getting into the country itself may be a trying challenge, as all visitors need a visa, but there isn't a embassy in most Western countries. One should attempt contacting the Guinea-Bissau embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.

Major Cities in Guinea-Bissau

Places of Interest in Guinea-Bissau

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About this website

Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.