Republic of Guinea-Bissau, is a country in West Africa that covers 36,125 square kilometres with an estimated population of 1,726,000. It borders Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south-east.
Independence was unilaterally declared in Guinea Bissau on 24 September 1973. The country is bordered by Senegal to the north and Guinea to the south and east, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west. Lying mostly between latitudes 11° and 13°N (a small area is south of 11°), and longitudes 13° and 17°W, Guinea Bissau’s capital city is Bissau. The official currency is the CFA Francs.
The population of Guinea-Bissau is ethnically diverse and has many distinct languages, customs, and social structures. Guinea-Bissauans can be divided into the following ethnic groups: Fula and the Mandinka-speaking people, who comprise the largest portion of the population and are concentrated in the north and northeast; the Balanta and Papel people, who live in the southern coastal regions; and the Manjaco and Mancanha, who occupy the central and northern coastal areas. Most of the remainder are mestiços of mixed Portuguese and African descent, including a Cape Verdean minority.
In Guinea-Bissau, there is a protected area called the Orango National Park established in December 2000. The park is partially maritime and has an area of 1,582 km2 (611 sq. mi). It includes the surrounding sea and the southernmost islands of the Bijagos Archipelago, including Orango, Orangozinho, Meneque, Canogo, and Imbone. The depth of the ocean is no more than 30 meters (100 feet). The Institute for Biodiversity and Protected Areas of Guinea-Bissau (IBAP) is in charge of running the park, mostly covered with about 160 km2 (60 sq. mi) of mangroves . Molluscs, fish, and sea turtle reproduction greatly depend on it. The Elaeis guineensis palm tree, savanna plants, and sandy coastlines are the most notable land features. The African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus), a species that is endangered in the subregion, uses it as its primary habitat as well.
Established in August 2000, it is located south-east of the Bijagòs archipelago in Guinea Bissau. It comprises four main islands (João Vieira, Cavalos, Meio e Poilão) and three islets (Baixo de Muzanty). It is a critical site for the reproduction of sea turtles and especially the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), for which it is the largest nesting site in the entire western Atlantic. The JVPNMP is one of the core zones of the Bijagos Archipelago Biosphere Reserve; it was declared a Gift to the Earth in 2001.
With swaying palms, cooling breezes and powdery, white-sand beaches, the Bijagós islands exert a singular spell. Protected by swift tides and treacherous sandbanks, the island’s largely matriarchal people eluded Portuguese control until the 1930s. Now the entire archipelago, including its rich marine life, has been declared a biosphere reserve, while two island groups form national parks.
The Bolama Bubaque is a quite fascinating site with numerous ruins that hold a very significant, yet distinctive past. The area is surrounded by an unspoilt naturally beautiful terrain which further adds glamour to the site. The area is ideal for camping.
The Museum of African Artifacts is a treasure trove of traditional sculpture, pottery, weaving and basket-ware. Taking a tour around the well-stocked Museum is an experience with enriching possibilities. The Museum is a world of treasure and a place where splendid, genuine African art works are on display.
Africa's most populous but least well-known coastal archipelago is made up of the Bijagos Islands of Guinea-Bissau. The Bijagos is a special paradise that is largely unknown, with undeveloped beaches, tropical forests, turquoise waters, saltwater hippos, pygmy cows, and traditional beliefs. The 12,950-sq-km (5,000-sq-mi) Bijagos - frequently written Bissagos - archipelago contains 88 islands and islets and is located 48 kilometres (30 miles) off the coast of Guinea-Bissau. Less than a fifth of them have year-round residents. Some islands, like Joo Vieira, allow temporary residents to harvest rice and palm oil, while others, like Poilo, are revered and have strong rules against overnight stays. The Islands, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1996, provide tourists with a distinctive natural experience where they may learn about an amazing variety of land and water animals.
The Cantanhez Forests National Park in Guinea-Bissau covers an area of 1,057 square kilometres (408 square miles). It was founded on October 1, 2007, and is located in the district of Tombali, south of the country. It is about 250 kilometres from Bissau's capital. The road is in good condition until the last 60 kilometres, when it turns into a horrible but beautiful forest track that is difficult to access. The Cantanhez forest is the largest remaining in Guinea Bissau, with a diverse range of fauna, flora, and landscapes to explore.
Exciting photos of this great destination
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