The Republic of Guinea-Bissau, one of the smallest countries of Africa, is located in the western region of Africa. The nation is bordered by Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east. The North Atlantic Ocean bounds the country to the west and southwest. Bissau is the capital of the country.
HISTORY:- The present-day Guinea-Bissau was a part of kingdom of Gabú, which on a larger perspective was a part of the Mali Empire. First European contact was made when Portuguese explorer Nuño Tristão initiated trades with Guinea-Bissau in 1446. Gradually it had become a center for the Portuguese slave trade. By the 19th century, the Portuguese settled in the islands. In 1956 African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) was set up under Amílcar Cabral. As a result nationalists driven guerrilla war broke out. Around the year 1974 the rebels tried to found a government. 1974 military coup of Portugal enriched the chances of independence. And finally in August in the same year Guinea-Bissau achieved independence with Luis Cabral as the President. In 1980, the President was disposed in a coup and the leader of the coup João Bernardo Vieira became the President. President João Bernardo Vieira’s reigning period was marked by chaos, corruption and poverty. In 2000 a former teacher Kumba Yalá became the President of the nation, who was again overthrown in a military coup in 2003. In 2005 elections, former exiled President João Bernardo Vieira won and became President again.
GEOGRAPHY:- Guinea-Bissau is located at 2 00 N, 15 00 W in Western Africa. The total area of the nation is 36,120 sq km in which 28,000 sq km area comprises land and 8,120 sq km comprises water. The coastline is 350 km long along with the North Atlantic Ocean. The lowest point is the Atlantic Ocean (0 m) and the highest point is an unnamed location situated in the northeast corner of the country (300 m). Guinea-Bissau is mostly low coastal plain rising to the savannas in the east and the interior.
CLIMATE:- The climate of Guinea-Bissau is generally hot and humid. The monsoonal rainy season with southwesterly winds persists from June to November and the dry season with northeasterly harmattan winds persists from December to May.
GOVERNMENT:- Guinea-Bissau is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 16th May 1984 and amended many times on 4th May 1991, 4th December 1991, 26th February 1993, 9th June 1993, and lastly in 1996. The legal system is based on the French civil law. The three major branches of the government are:
Executive branch comprises the President (chief of state), and the Prime minister (head of government). The President is elected by a popular vote on a 5 tear term. The Prime minister is appointed by the President after consulting with the party leaders in the legislature.
Legislative branch comprises the unicameral National People's Assembly (100 seats).
Judicial branch comprises the Supreme Court, and the Regional Courts.
Three prominent major political parties are the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), the Social Renovation Party (PRS); and the United Social Democratic Party (PUSD). Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
Three prominent major political parties are the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), the Social Renovation Party (PRS); and the United Social Democratic Party (PUSD). Suffrage is universal at the age of 18.
President João Bernardo Vieira
Prime Minister Martinho Ndafa Kabi
Prime Minister Martinho Ndafa Kabi
ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Guinea-Bissau is divided 8 regions and 1 autonomous sector (Bissau). The regions are further divided into 37 sectors.
The regions are:
Bafata
Biombo
Bolama
Cacheu
Gabu
Oio
Quinara
Tombali.
Bafata
Biombo
Bolama
Cacheu
Gabu
Oio
Quinara
Tombali.
CULTURE:-The music of the nation follows polyrhythmic gumbe genre. The calabash is a notable musical instrument. Guinea-Bissau has a rich in folk music, comprising almost 10 folk music traditions. Tina and tinga are also very popular.
ECONOMY:- Being one of the 5 poorest nations in the world, Guinea-Bissau depends mainly on farming and fishing. Two-thirds of the populations live below poverty line.
GDP/PPP (2007 est.): $901.2 million; per capita $600.
Real growth rate: 3.7%.
Inflation: 4% (2002 est.).
Unemployment: NA
Arable land: 8%.
Agriculture: Rice, corn, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber; fish.
Budget:
Revenues: $NA
Expenditures: $NA
Revenues: $NA
Expenditures: $NA
Debt - external: $941.5 million (2000 est.)
Labor force: 480,000 (1999); agriculture 82%, industry and services 18% (2000 est.).
Industries: Agricultural products processing, beer, soft drinks. Natural resources: fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, clay, granite, limestone, unexploited deposits of petroleum.
Exports: $133 million f.o.b. (2006): cashew nuts, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, sawn lumber.
Imports: $200 million f.o.b. (2006): foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, petroleum products.
Major trading partners: Pakistan, Nigeria, Italy, Senegal, Portugal (2006).
Monetary unit: CFA Franc
LANGUAGE:- Portuguese is the official language of Guinea-Bissau. Crioulo, and other African languages are also spoken.
CITIES:- The capital Bissau is the largest city of Guinea-Bissau.
POPULATION:- The estimated population of Guinea-Bissau is 1,472,041 with a growth rate of 2.1%.
RACE:-
African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%
African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%
RELIGION:-
Indigenous beliefs 50%
Islam 45%
Christian 5%
Indigenous beliefs 50%
Islam 45%
Christian 5%
HEALTH:-
Birth rate: 36.4 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 16.05 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 101.64 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.52 years
Total fertility rate: 4.72 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,200 (2001 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 32
Birth rate: 36.4 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Death rate: 16.05 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 101.64 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 47.52 years
Total fertility rate: 4.72 children born/woman (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 1,200 (2001 est.)
Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 32
UNICEF:- UNICEF’s basic priorities are to reduce infant and maternal mortality rates and to improve educational system in Guinea-Bissau. The Condition of women and children in the country is alarming. UNICEF focuses on the measures to protect Children and women rights. Birth registrations are done with the help of the NGOs.
UNICEF consistently fights against HIV by organizing anti-HIV campaigns. UNICEF also promotes HIV prevention and care, the measures to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders through the use of iodized salt, breastfeeding, and the rehabilitation of wells and low-cost sanitation facilities. UNICEF focuses on schools, communities and health centres. To broaden the light of education, UNICEF tries to set up many school, particularly for girls in the country.
TRANSPORTATION:-
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 3,455 km; paved: 965 km; unpaved: 2,490 km (2002).
Ports and harbors: Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim.
Airports: 27 (2007).
Railways: 0 km.
Highways: total: 3,455 km; paved: 965 km; unpaved: 2,490 km (2002).
Ports and harbors: Bissau, Buba, Cacheu, Farim.
Airports: 27 (2007).
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