Discover Fascinating Guinea-Bissau Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Guinea-Bissau.
Guinea-Bissau
Background
๐ Since gaining independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has faced many challenges. ๐๏ธ Over the years, the country has encountered political instability, civil wars, and several coups, with the newest coup happening in 2012. This political turmoil has created a fragile state ๐๏ธ, leading to a weak economy ๐ธ, high unemployment ๐, rampant corruption ๐จ, and widespread poverty. ๐
Year of Independence
1974
Latest Coup Year
2012
Exports - commodities
๐ด Exports of Guinea-Bissau: Did you know that Guinea-Bissau has some exciting products they export? In 2022, the country exported a variety of commodities such as:
- Coconuts
- Brazil nuts
- Cashews
- Fish
- Fish oil
- Palm oil
- Dried fruits
These exports are crucial for Guinea-Bissau's economy, showcasing its rich natural resources and the great flavors of the region! ๐โจ
Exports - partners
๐ Exploring Guinea-Bissau's Export Partners ๐
In 2022, Guinea-Bissau had a diverse and interesting list of export partners! Hereโs a breakdown of where all those goods went:
- India: 92% ๐ฎ๐ณ
- Cote d'Ivoire: 2% ๐จ๐ฎ
- Togo: 2% ๐น๐ฌ
- Netherlands: 1% ๐ณ๐ฑ
- South Korea: 1% ๐ฐ๐ท
As you can see, most of Guinea-Bissau's exports headed straight to India, making it a major trade partner! Meanwhile, the other countries shared a smaller slice of the export pie. ๐ฅง
Total Export Percentage to India
92%
Percentage of Exports to Cote d'Ivoire
2%
Percentage of Exports to Togo
2%
Percentage of Exports to Netherlands
1%
Percentage of Exports to South Korea
1%
Exports by Partner Countries for Guinea-Bissau (2022)
Capital
The capital of Guinea-Bissau is Bissau! ๐ This vibrant city serves as the heart of the country, bustling with life, culture, and history. As the political and administrative center, Bissau plays a critical role in shaping the nation's identity and future. ๐ฌ๐ผ
Imports - commodities
๐ณ๏ธ Guinea-Bissau imports a variety of commodities to keep its economy running smoothly. Let's dive into the exciting world of what they bring in! ๐
In 2022, here are some of the key imports:
- Refined petroleum: A crucial resource for vehicles and machinery!โฝ
- Steel: Essential for construction and manufacturing!๐๏ธ
- Rice: A staple food for many! ๐
- Flavored water: A tasty beverage option! ๐ง
- Beer: A popular drink for relaxation and enjoyment! ๐ป
These commodities are vital for everyday life, and they help support the local economy and culture! ๐
Key Imports in 2022
refined petroleum, steel, rice, flavored water, beer
Climate
๐ด๐ฌ๐ผ Welcome to the tropical climate of Guinea-Bissau! It's generally hot and humid here, making it a perfect paradise for those who love warm weather. โ๏ธ The country experiences a monsoonal-type rainy season from June to November, bringing refreshing rains along with southwesterly winds. ๐ง๏ธโ๏ธ Then comes the dry season from December to May, where the cool northeasterly harmattan winds take over, making it a pleasant time to enjoy outdoor activities! Whether you're dancing in the rain or basking in the sun, Guinea-Bissau has a unique climate that changes with the seasons! ๐
Rainy Season Duration
June to November
Dry Season Duration
December to May
Executive branch
Guinea-Bissau's executive branch is led by two key figures! ๐ The chief of state is President Umaro Sissoco EMBALO, who has been in office since 27 February 2020. On the other hand, the head of government is Prime Minister Rui Duarte DE BARROS, who just recently took office on 20 December 2023! This dynamic duo is responsible for guiding the country. ๐ฌ๐ผ
Current President since
27 February 2020
Current Prime Minister since
20 December 2023
Legislative branch
The legislative branch of Guinea-Bissau is made up of a unicameral National People's Assembly, which has 102 seats! ๐๏ธ This means there are 102 representatives who help make important laws for the country. Each member of the assembly plays a key role in the decision-making process. Let's dive into what this looks like! ๐
Total Number of Seats in National People's Assembly
102
Natural resources
๐ Natural Resources of Guinea-Bissau ๐
Guinea-Bissau is blessed with a variety of natural resources! Hereโs a fun list of what this country has:
- ๐ Fish - A vital resource from their rich waters!
- ๐ฒ Timber - Wood from their beautiful forests!
- ๐บ Phosphates - Essential for fertilizers and agriculture!
- ๐๏ธ Bauxite - A key material for making aluminum!
- ๐ก Clay - Useful for construction and pottery!
- โฐ๏ธ Granite - A strong rock commonly used in building!
- ๐ชจ Limestone - Great for making cement and other materials!
- โฝ Unexploited deposits of petroleum - An exciting resource that is yet to be tapped!
These resources not only contribute to the countryโs economy but also play a significant role in the lives of its people. ๐๏ธ
List of Natural Resources Count
8 types
Economic overview
๐ฌ๐ผ Guinea-Bissau's Economy at a Glance! ๐
Guinea-Bissau is known for its extremely poor economy, struggling to keep up with its neighbors in West Africa. The country's labor force is ethnically diverse, which brings a rich cultural tapestry to the workplace! ๐
However, the government has been increasing its expenditures, which might help to lift the economy, but there are challenges ahead. Slight inflation has been noted, mainly due to disruptions in the food supply. ๐ฝ๏ธ
As a major exporter of cashews, the country relies heavily on this cash crop to boost its economy. ๐ฐ But be careful! The economy is vulnerable to oil price shocks, which can hit hard. Additionally, Guinea-Bissau faces systemic banking instabilities and corruption, creating bumps in the road to economic recovery. ๐
In summary, Guinea-Bissau's economy is a mixed bag of challenges and resources, and there's potential for growth if managed wisely!
Economic Condition
Extremely poor
Labor Force Diversity
Ethnically diverse
Major Export
Cashew
Inflation Cause
Food supply disruptions
Economic Vulnerability
Oil price shocks
Challenges
Banking instabilities and corruption
Government type
In Guinea-Bissau, the government operates as a semi-presidential republic! ๐๏ธ That means that both a president and a prime minister share power! This type of government can often lead to a dynamic relationship between the executive branches, making for an interesting political scene. ๐โจ
Type of Government
Semi-Presidential Republic
Ethnic groups
In Guinea-Bissau, the ethnic makeup is quite colorful and diverse! ๐จ Hereโs a fun breakdown of the different ethnic groups and their percentages:
- Balanta: 30%
- Fulani: 30%
- Manjaco: 14%
- Mandinga: 13%
- Papel: 7%
- Unspecified smaller ethnic groups: 6%
As you can see, the Balanta and Fulani groups lead the way, each making up 30% of the population. ๐ฅ Imagine how vibrant cultures and traditions blend in this wonderful country! ๐ฌ๐ผ
Percentage of Balanta ethnicity
30%
Percentage of Fulani ethnicity
30%
Percentage of Manjaco ethnicity
14%
Percentage of Mandinga ethnicity
13%
Percentage of Papel ethnicity
7%
Percentage of unspecified smaller ethnic groups
6%
Ethnic Groups in Guinea-Bissau
Religions
In Guinea-Bissau, the religious landscape is quite diverse! ๐ Hereโs how the population identifies with different beliefs:
- Muslims make up a significant portion at 46.1% ๐
- Folk religions are embraced by 30.6% of the population ๐ฟ
- Christians account for 18.9% โ๏ธ
- Finally, you have about 4.4% of people identifying as other or unaffiliated ๐ซ
This combination showcases the rich tapestry of beliefs that coexist in the country.
Percentage of Muslims
46.1%
Percentage of Folk Religions
30.6%
Percentage of Christians
18.9%
Percentage of Other/Unaffiliated
4.4%
Religious Distribution in Guinea-Bissau
Languages
Guinea-Bissau is a vibrant country where languages tell the story of its rich culture! ๐ง๐ท Here are the main languages spoken:
- Portuguese-based Creole: This is a fun mix of Portuguese and local languages! ๐
- Portuguese: This is the official language of the country. While many people speak it, they often use it as a second or third language.
- Pular: This is a Fula language spoken by some communities. It's unique and carries a lot of history! ๐ฃ๏ธ
- Mandingo: Another fascinating language that adds to the diversity of Guinea-Bissau's culture! ๐
Isnโt it cool how language connects us all? ๐
Languages Spoken
4 unique languages
Official Language
Portuguese
Creole Language
Portuguese-based Creole
Imports - partners
๐ Guinea-Bissau's Import Partners ๐
In 2022, Guinea-Bissau relied on several countries for its imports. The biggest share came from Portugal, making up 34% of its imports! Next in line was Senegal, contributing 22%. ๐ต๐น๐ธ๐ณ
Here's how the other partners fared:
- China: 14% ๐จ๐ณ
- Netherlands: 6% ๐ณ๐ฑ
- Spain: 3% ๐ช๐ธ
This shows how important these countries are to Guinea-Bissau's economy! It's interesting to see how trade relationships shape the flow of goods in and out of the nation. ๐๐
Largest Import Partner
Portugal (34%)
Second Largest Import Partner
Senegal (22%)
Third Largest Import Partner
China (14%)
Guinea-Bissau's Import Partners (2022)
Population
๐ Guinea-Bissau is home to a vibrant population of 2,132,325 people! This number reflects the rich tapestry of cultures, languages, and histories that make up this beautiful country. ๐ฅณ
Total Population
2,132,325
Area
๐ Guinea-Bissau's Area is quite fascinating! Here's a quick breakdown:
- Total Area: 36,125 sq km ๐๏ธ
- Land Area: 28,120 sq km ๐ฟ
- Water Area: 8,005 sq km ๐ง
This means that out of the entire area, a good amount is covered by land while there's also a significant portion of water bodies. Let's dive into some fun visuals to understand this better!
Total Area of Guinea-Bissau
36,125 sq km
Land Area of Guinea-Bissau
28,120 sq km
Water Area of Guinea-Bissau
8,005 sq km
Distribution of Area in Guinea-Bissau
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Let's take a look at the Real GDP (Gross Domestic Product) for Guinea-Bissau! This shows how much the economy is growing. Here are the estimated figures over the last few years:
- 2021: $4.694 billion
- 2022: $4.892 billion
- 2023: $5.099 billion
๐ As we can see, Guinea-Bissau's GDP is on the rise! Each year, the economy is getting a little bigger, which is great news for everyone! ๐
Real GDP in 2021
$4.694 billion
Real GDP in 2022
$4.892 billion
Real GDP in 2023
$5.099 billion
Real GDP Growth in Guinea-Bissau (PPP)
Real GDP per capita
๐ฐ Real GDP per capita of Guinea-Bissau ๐
Guinea-Bissau's economy is showing some interesting trends! The Real GDP per capita, which gives us an idea of the average income per person in the country, has been tracked over the last few years:
- 2021: $2,300
- 2022: $2,300
- 2023: $2,400
As you can see, the income per person stayed the same from 2021 to 2022 but then increased in 2023, which is a sign of hope for economic growth! ๐ฑ๐
Real GDP per capita Over the Years in Guinea-Bissau
Imports
๐ Let's take a look at the imports for Guinea-Bissau over the last few years! Hereโs how much the country brought in through various goods:
- 2020: $439.386 million
- 2021: $518.162 million
- 2022: $577.899 million
It looks like Guinea-Bissau's imports have been steadily increasing each year! ๐ This shows that the country is engaging more in global trade and bringing in more products for its people.
Total Imports in 2022
$577.899 million
Total Imports in 2021
$518.162 million
Total Imports in 2020
$439.386 million
Guinea-Bissau Imports Over the Years
Exports
๐ Let's take a look at the exports of Guinea-Bissau over the past few years! ๐ In 2022, the exports were estimated at $280.065 million. Thatโs a decrease compared to $334.904 million in 2021, but an increase from $232.536 million in 2020. ๐ It's like a rollercoaster ride for the economy! ๐ข
Here's a quick summary of the numbers:
- 2020: $232.536 million
- 2021: $334.904 million
- 2022: $280.065 million
Which year do you think had the highest exports? That's right, 2021! โญ
Highest Exports Year
$334.904 million (2021)
Lowest Exports Year
$232.536 million (2020)
Export Decrease from 2021 to 2022
$54.839 million
Exports of Guinea-Bissau Over the Years
Population growth rate
๐ Did you know that Guinea-Bissau's population is growing at a rate of 2.54%? This figure represents the estimated growth for the year 2024! Population growth is an important factor that can influence the country's economy, resources, and communities. Keep an eye on how this percentage changes in the coming years! ๐
Estimated population growth rate for Guinea-Bissau (2024)
2.54%