Guinea-Bissau Facts for Kids

Guinea-Bissau also known as the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, it is a West Africa country of sovereignty. The country shares a border with Guinea to the east and south, Atlantic Ocean to the east and Senegal to the north.

The country’s total land area is 36,125 sq km (13,948 sq miles)
The capital city of the country is called Bissau which is also the largest city.
The total population is 1,815,698.
The official language is Portuguese.

The country gained independence on September 24 1974.
The national anthem is “Esta e a Nossa Patria Bem Amada” (This is Our Beloved Homeland).
The national motto is “Unidale, Luta, Progresso” (Unity, Struggle, Progress).
The people of Guinea-Bissau are called Bissau-Guinean with the main religion being 60% Christianity, %30 Islamic and the others, the Islamic religion is of the Sunni fraction.
The currency used in the country is called West African Franc (XOF) (CFA).
The natural resources of the country include Bauxite, phosphates, limestone, gravel, granite, clay and deposit of petroleum.
The major industries are soft drinks, beer and food processing.
The country makes $244 million (est. in 2014) on exportation of Lumber, peanuts, non-fillet frozen fish, acyclic alcohols, cashew nuts and palm kernels while it spends $398 million (est. in 2014) on importation of cement, rice, malt extract, soups and broths and refined petroleum.
The country used to be part of the Mali Empire and used to be known as the Kingdom of Gabu but after 1546, Gabu gained more freedom to govern themselves. Until 1867, the part of the country was still part of the kingdom.
In 1446, the Portuguese explorer Nuno Tristao was the first European to land in Guinea-Bissau, the trading right of the territory was then gained by the colonist of Cape Verde and the country became slave trade center for the Portuguese. The country broke its connection in 1879.
The reason the Guinea-Bissau flag is so similar to the Ghanaian flag is that the country has independence today only because they were inspired by the struggle and effort by the Ghanaians for Independence.
Before 1980, the island of Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau used to be just one country. A coup was the reason the two countries successfully separated.
The country is a member of the Latin Union, La Francophonie, African Union, community of Portuguese Language countries, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the south Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone and Economic Community of West African States.
Pidjiguiti is a location within the city of Bissau with an interesting cultural backstory. The capital city has many upscale villas built based on Mediterranean Architecture in the impressive rural metropolis region. You can find the colonial design architecture is seen close to the country’s beaches.
Guinea-Bissau has famous national parks that are the reason for its tourism, there is an ancient ruin complex that has an Archipel de Bolama near it and it is considered one of the UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserves. The Bolama Bubaque shows the country’s ancient past, the ancient architectural debris offers a proper glimpse of how the country used to leave and how they resisted colonial power. The sight does lack accommodation but it is perfect for rough/rugged type of curious tourists who like to camp.

Rice is considered a prestige and important food that is imported by the country to feed the population of the urban community, the miller is also considered an important crop. both of them are the most common main dishes and most times supplemented by different local sauces that have fish, tomatoes, palm oil, peanuts or onions
During your trip of the country’s safari, you will come across the red river hog which is a wild pig of the Suidae family. The pig’s major characteristics are its reddish brown fur, white mane and its large built. The pig is known to eat mostly arthropods, vertebrates and vegetation. They are known to be like vultures because they eat dead animals.
Arranged marriage is still practiced by the Mandinga and Fula of rural areas, the people of the coastal ethnic group would normally ask for a groom service or bride price before the marriage can commence. There are more interethnic marriages now where the young adults pick their own spouse but the number is still low.
Bissau-Guinean are sport lovers and their favorite sport is football (soccer) with the sporting club Bissau being the favorite team.