Guinea-Bissau

I

Introduction

Guinea-Bissau, republic in northwestern Africa, bounded on the north by Senegal, on the east and south by Guinea, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The country includes about 60 offshore islands, among them the Bijagós (Bissagos) Islands. The area is 36,125 sq km (13,948 sq mi).

II

Land and Resources

Most of Guinea-Bissau is a low-lying, swampy coastal plain. The land rises gradually to form a plateau region in the east. The maximum elevation of about 310 m (about 1,017 ft) is found in the southeast. Numerous meandering rivers cross the country from east to west and form wide estuaries near their mouths. Nearly all are navigable and serve as major transportation arteries. The climate is tropical, with a mean annual temperature of 25°C (77°F). A rainy season lasts from June to November. The average annual rainfall at Bissau is 1,950 mm (77 in). Vegetation consists of mangrove and rain forest on the coastal plain and a savanna woodland on the interior plateau. Tropical hardwoods are a major potential resource. Although there is no mineral production, large deposits of bauxite and phosphate exist. Petroleum deposits are offshore.

A

Environmental Issues

Severely restricted access to safe water and sanitation explain the low life expectancy and high infant mortality encountered in Guinea-Bissau. Deforestation, overgrazing, soil erosion, and overfishing are additional problems.

III

Population

Guinea-Bissau has a population (2009 estimate) of 1,533,964. The capital and principal port, Bissau, has a population (2003 estimate) of 336,000. Other ports include Cacheu and Bolama. The major ethnic groups are the Balante, Fulani, Mandinka (also known as Mandingo or Malinke), Mandyako, and Pepel. Cape Verdians form a small but significant minority. In religion, about 45 percent of the population follows traditional beliefs, and about 40 percent (primarily the Fulani and Mandinka) is Muslim. Some 13 percent of the people are Christian. The official language is Portuguese, but Crioulo, a fusion of Portuguese and African elements, is widely spoken. In the 2001 school year primary schools enrolled 155,033 students, 83 percent of the eligible students. Only 20 percent of secondary school-aged children were enrolled in school. The country has several teacher-training colleges. The government has undertaken a program to improve the adult literacy rate, which stood at 65 percent in 2007.

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