About Guinea-Bissau

Located in West Africa, the Republic of Guinea-Bissau borders Guinea to the south and east, Senegal to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The country covers 37,000 sq. km. and has a population of 1,941,473 of 2019.

Guinea-Bissau was part of multiple kingdoms including the Gabu, part of Mali. It later became a Portuguese colony known as Portuguese Guinea in the 1800s. Independence was declared in 1973 and recognized in 1974. At that time, the name of the capital city, Bissau, was added to the name of the country to prevent confusion with the Republic of Guinea.

The official language is Portuguese but it is only spoken by 14 percent of the population. Kriol, a Portuguese-based creole language, is spoken by 44 percent. The remaining people speak native languages. Islam and indigenous regions are the most practiced.

Guinea-Bissau is part of the Economic Community of West African States, the African Union, the Latin Union, the Organization of Portuguese Language Countries, the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone, and La Francophonie.