Guinea-Bissau The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is a country on the Atlantic coast of western Africa. The small country, a former Portuguese colony, is bounded on the north by Senegal, to the south and east by Guinea, and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Its capital is Bissau. Repùblica da Guiné-Bissau http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/6/6c/Guinea_bissau_flag_large.png http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f5/Coaguinea-bissausmall.jpg (In Detail) (Full size) National motto: Unidade, Luta, Progresso (Portuguese: Unity, Struggle, Progress) http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7d/LocationGuineaBissau.png Official language Portuguese Capital Bissau (Note: Former President Kumba Yala decided to change the capital city to Buba, but it is unclear if the plan will go forward.) President Henrique Rosa Prime minister Carlos Gomes Júnior Area  - Total  - % water Ranked 133rd 36,120 km² 12% / Negligible Population  - Total (2002)  - Density Ranked 147th 1,345,479 48/km² Independence  - Declared  - Recognised (from Portugal) 24 Sep 1973 10 Sep 1974 Currency CFA franc Time zone UTC National anthem Esta é a Nossa Pátria Bem Amada Internet TLD .gw Calling Code 245 History Main article: History of Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau was once the kingdom of Gabù, part of the Mali Empire; parts of the kingdom subsisted until the 18th century. Though the rivers and coast of this area were among the first places colonized by the Portuguese, and they began the slave trade in the 17th century, they did not explore the interior until the 19th century. A rebellion beginning in 1956 by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) consolidated its hold on the country by 1973. Independence was unilaterally declared on September 24 1973, and then recognised following the Portuguese revolution of 1974. The country was controlled by a revolutionary council until 1984. The first multi-party elections were held in 1994, but an army uprising in 1998 led to the president's ousting and the Guinea-Bissau Civil War. Elections were held in 2000 and Kumba Yala was elected. In September 2003 a coup took place in which the military arrested Yala, because "he was unable to solve the problems". After being delayed several times, legislative elections were held in April 2004. A mutiny of military factions in October 2004 resulted in the death of the head of the armed forces, and caused widespread unrest. Politics Main article: Politics of Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau has a multi-party National People's Assembly, as well as a president, both elected by popular vote. The president appoints the prime minister after consultation with the parties in the assembly. The former president, Kumba Yala, belongs to the Social Renovation Party or PRS; other parties in the assembly include the Guinea-Bissau Resistance and PAIGC. Regions Main article: Regions of Guinea-Bissau Map Of Guinea Bissau Guinea-Bissau is divided into nine regions (regiões): Bafata Biombo Bissau Bolama Cacheu Gabu Oio Quinara Tombali Geography Main article: Geography of Guinea-Bissau This small, tropical country lies at a low altitude; its highest point is 300 metres. The interior is savanna, and the coast line is swampy plain. Its monsoon-like rainy season alternates with periods of hot, dry harmattan winds blowing from the Sahara. The Bijagos Archipelago extends out to sea. Economy Main article: Economy of Guinea-Bissau Guinea-Bissau is among the 20 poorest countries of the world. Its farming and fishing economy was badly disrupted by the 1998-99 civil war. It has a foreign debt of $US 921 million and is subject to an IMF structural adjustment program. Demographics Main article: Demographics of Guinea-Bissau The population of Guinea-Bissau is ethnically diverse with distinct languages, customs, and social structures, the main spoken languages is Portuguese creole (44%); Portuguese language is spoken by 14%. Most people are farmers, with traditional religious beliefs (animism); 45% are Muslim, principally Fula and Mandinka-speaker concentrated in the north and northeast. Other important groups are the Balanta and Papel, living in the southern coastal regions, and the Manjaco and Mancanha, occupying the central and northern coastal areas. Culture Main article: Culture of Guinea-Bissau See also: List of writers from Guinea-Bissau Miscellaneous topics Communications in Guinea-Bissau Transportation in Guinea-Bissau Military of Guinea-Bissau Foreign relations of Guinea-Bissau Public holidays in Guinea-Bissau External links Map of Guinea-Bissau United States consular information sheet/travel advisory for Guinea-Bissau nds:Guinea-Bissau Most Popular Articles: Music    Musical Instruments    Guitar    Classical Music    History    Music Definition    Country Music    Rock Music    Pop Music    Hip Hop    Rap    DJ    Video Games    Casino Games    Poker    Blackjack    Casinos    Real Estate    Loan    Auction    eBay    Marketing    Search Engine Optimization    File Sharing    MP3    Music Industry    Kazaa    Internet    Supermodel    Fashion    Fashion Designers    Erotica    Modeling    Clothing    Boots    Shoes    Diamond Engagement Rings    Diamond    Rugs    Gospel Music    Affiliate    E-Commerce    Radio This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License at http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html You may copy and modify it as long as the entire work (including additions) remains under this license. You must provide a link to http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html To view or edit this article at Wikipedia go to http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guinea-Bissau