Official Name: Republica da Guine-Bissau (Republic of Guinea-Bissau)

Currency:  Franc

 

Current Exchange Rate:

 

Hemisphere: Northern

Continent: Africa

Location: On Atlantic coast of W Africa. Neighbors: Senegal on N, Guinea on E and S.

Area: 13,984 sq mi, 36,125 sq km

Form of Government: Republic with one legislative house (National People’s Assembly 102)

Population: (2007) 1,472,000

Population Density: (2007) persons per sq mi 135.6, persons per sq km 52.3

Principal Language(s): Portuguese (official), Crioulo, African languages

Religions: Indigenous beliefs 50%, Muslim 45%, Christian 5%

Capital: Bissau

Capital Population: 305,700

Capital Average Temperature: Maximum: 26.4 degrees Celsius, 79.5 degrees Fahrenheit
                                                 
Major Cities: Bafata 15,000, Cacheu 14,000, Gabu 10,000

Topography: A swampy coastal plain covers most of country; to E is a low savanna region.

Economy: G.D.P. $ 901.2 million

G.D.P. per Capita: $ 600

Vital Statistics: Birth rate per 1,000 population (2005): 37.6 (world avg. 20.3). Death rate per 1,000 population (2005); 16.7 (world avg. 8.6) Total fertility rate (avg. births per childbearing woman 2005) 4.93. Life expectancy at birth (2005) male 44.8 years; female 48.5 years

Government Website: http://www.republica-da-guine-bissau.org/index.php?id=1

Reference Sources: The World Almanac 2009, The New York Times Almanac   2009, Time Almanac 2009, World Climate website.