Country Guide • Guinea Bissau
Guinea-Bissau is located in West Africa and is bounded by Senegal and the Republic of Guinea. It encompasses the adjacent Bijagós Islands and the island of Bolama. Thick forest and mangrove swamp cover the area nearest the Atlantic Ocean and savannah covers the inland areas.
| Official Name | Republic of Guinea-Bissau |
|---|---|
| Area | 36,125km² (13,948mile²) |
| Population | 1,360,500 |
| Continent | Africa |
| Population per mile² | 98 |
| Capital City | Bissau |
| Religions | 65% follow local native tribal beliefs, 30% Muslims, 5% Christians predominantly Roman Catholic |
| Language | The official language is Portuguese, although a Creole Patois is the trade and national language |
| Government | Multiparty Republic |
| Currency | Cfa Franc |
| GDP | $1.2 billion |
| GDP per Head | $950 |
| Natural Resources | Fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite and some unexploited deposits of petroleum |
| Land Use | Arable Land 11% |
| Agriculture | Corn, rice, beans, cassava (tapioca), cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, cotton; timber and fish |
| Industry | Agriculture, construction, beverages, fishing, food processing and forestry |
| Tourism | Guinea-Bissau is currently peaceful, despite the coup that took place on 14 September, but the stability of the country remains fragile. We are continuing to monitor events. Travellers should check the situation regularly and reconsider their plans if they are not satisfied that their trip will be trouble-free. Regular updates will issue as more information becomes available |
| Natural Hazards | |
| Health Risks | Malaria, cholera, hepatitis A, schistosomiasis, typhoid, yellow fever (a vaccination certificate is required if you're coming from an infected area) |
| Climate | Guinea-Bissau has a tropical climate with two seasons, a wet season from June to November with August the wettest month and a dry season from December to May with April and May the hottest months. Average annual precipitation in Bissau is 77 inches while average temperature ranges are from 24°C to 27°C all year |
| Time | GMT/UTC- No UTC/GMT offset |
| National Days | September 24 |
| Visas | Visas are required for all travellers. They are not available at land borders but you can get them from embassies, and at the Bissau airport if you're arriving from an African country that doesn't issue them. |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
Information Only
The content above is for information purposes only and we have tried to ensure that the information is as accurate as possible. We cannot accept any responsibility for any inconvenience, loss or injury as a result of the information above. You should always check and verify any critical information like visas, health and safety and customs with the relevant authorities before you travel since information can change at any time.
