10 fun and interesting Guinea-Bissau facts

1. Guinean Regions Have Their Own Regional Councils

The West African nation of Guinea-Bissau is divided into 8 regions, not including the capital, and 37 sectors. Each region has its own regional council, made up of elected representatives from the various sectors. These representatives are chosen to ensure that the voices of the people are heard and that their needs are met. The regional councils are responsible for making decisions that affect the people of their region, such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. By having elected representatives from each sector, the people of Guinea-Bissau are able to have a say in the decisions that are made in their region.

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2. Republic of Guinea-Bissau

The Republic of Guinea-Bissau, officially known as the Republica da Guine-Bissau, is a small West African nation located on the Atlantic coast. Its capital and largest city is Bissau, a vibrant port city with a population of over 500,000 people. Bissau is the political, economic, and cultural center of the country, and is home to a number of important government buildings, universities, and other institutions. The city is also a popular tourist destination, offering a variety of attractions such as its colonial architecture, beautiful beaches, and vibrant nightlife.

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3. A Hot and Humid Country with a Tropical Climate

Guinea-Bissau is a hot and humid country with a tropical climate. From mid-May to mid-November, the country experiences a rainy season, with the heaviest rainfall occurring between July and August. During the rest of the year, the climate is cooler and dry.

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4. Guinea-Bissau's CFA Franc Currency is Popular with tourists

The West African nation of Guinea-Bissau uses the CFA Franc as its official currency. The CFA Franc is the currency of the French-speaking African countries that are members of the African Financial Community, and is pegged to the Euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA Francs to 1 Euro. The CFA Franc is divided into 100 centimes, and is available in coins and banknotes.

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5. Bissau-Guineans Proud of Their Cultural and Linguistic Diversity

The West African nation of Guinea-Bissau is home to a diverse population of Bissau-Guineans, who speak a variety of languages, including Portuguese, the official language, as well as Crioulo and other African languages. This cultural and linguistic diversity is a defining characteristic of the country, and is a source of pride for its citizens.

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6. Muslim majority in West African nation of Guinea-Bissau

In Guinea-Bissau, a West African nation, half of the population is Muslim, while nearly 40% practice indigenous beliefs and 10% are Christian. This diverse religious landscape is reflective of the country's rich cultural heritage, with a variety of faiths coexisting peacefully. The majority of Muslims are Sunni, while the Christian population is mostly Roman Catholic. Indigenous beliefs are varied and include animism, ancestor worship, and traditional African religions.

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7. Mystery Peak in Atlantic Views Await

Perched atop the highest point in Guinea-Bissau, an unnamed peak soaring 300 meters above sea level, one can take in the breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean below. At its lowest point, the country is at sea level, providing a stark contrast between the highest and lowest points of the nation.

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8. Guinea-Bissau Active Member of International Organizations

Guinea-Bissau is an active member of several international organizations, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Latin Union, the African Union, and the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone. As a member of ECOWAS, Guinea-Bissau is part of a 15-nation regional economic bloc that works to promote economic integration and development in West Africa. The Latin Union is a cultural organization that promotes Latin culture and language, while the African Union is a continental organization that works to promote peace and security, economic development, and human rights. Finally, the South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone is a regional organization that works to promote peace and security in the South Atlantic region.

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9. A Country with a Wealth of Natural Resources

Guinea-Bissau is a country with a wealth of natural resources, including fish, timber, bauxite, clay, granite, and phosphates, as well as unexploited deposits of petroleum. Its major trading partners are Pakistan, Nigeria, India, Senegal, Portugal, Brazil, and Cuba, with whom it exchanges these resources for goods and services. The country's abundance of natural resources has enabled it to become an important player in the global economy, and its trading partners benefit from the exchange of these resources.

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10. Exporting Cashews, Fish, & More!

The West African nation of Guinea-Bissau is a major exporter of cashew nuts, fish, shrimp, peanuts, palm kernels, and sawn lumber. These products are essential to the country's economy, providing a source of income for many of its citizens. In addition, Guinea-Bissau relies heavily on imports of foodstuffs, machinery and transport equipment, and petroleum products to meet its needs. As a result, the country is highly dependent on international trade to maintain its economic stability.