GuineaBisáu

Guinea-Bissau, officially Guiné-Bissau in Portuguese, is a West African country bordered by Senegal to the north, Guinea to the south and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Its capital is Bissau. The official language is Portuguese, while Guinea-Bissau Creole is widely spoken; many local languages are used in daily life. The country has about 2 million people and covers roughly 36,000 square kilometers.

Geographically, it has a tropical climate with a coastal plain, river basins, and mangroves. The Bijagos Archipelago off the coast is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Major ethnic groups include Balanta, Fula, Mandinka, and Papel, with Islam and traditional beliefs the main religions.

Guinea-Bissau was a Portuguese colony until it declared independence following a long struggle; independence was formalized in 1974. Since then the country has experienced political instability, including coups and periods of conflict, and governance remains challenged by corruption and weak institutions.

Its economy is small and vulnerable, with cashews the principal export, complemented by fish, coconuts, and peanuts. The country relies on international aid and development programs and faces poverty, limited infrastructure, and governance challenges.

Guinea-Bissau participates in regional bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Union and is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries. It is also home to rich musical and oral traditions and to the Bijagos Islands, noted for biodiversity and culture.