Geography
The Republic of Guinea-Bissau is in Western Africa. It is bordered by Senegal, Guinea, and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Bissau is the capital. Other urban areas are Bafata, Cacheu, Canchungo, Farim and Gabu.

The terrain consists of coastal plain, and savanna in the east. There are also a number of islands. Rivers include the Geba.

The climate of Guinea-Bissau is tropical.

Environment
Parks in Guinea-Bissau include Joao Vieira e Poilao Marine National Park, Parc Naturel des Mangroves de Cacheu and Lagoa de Cufada. Lagoa de Cufada is also a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

The Boloma Bijagos Biosphere Reserve, an archipelago of eighty-eight islands off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, is a UNESCO MAB Biosphere Reserve. Crocodiles and hippopotamuses are found in the Reserve.

Orango National Park, part of the Boloma Bijagos Biosphere Reserve, is a nesting place for a number of species of turtles: Green, Hawksbill, Leatherback and Olive Ridley.

Architecture
Bissau is a seaport, first used as trading centre by the Portuguese in the later part of the seventeenth century. In 1941 it became the capital, replacing Bolama.

During the civil war, in the late 1990s, many of Bissau's buildings were badly damaged.

Post-Portuguese Colonial architecture includes the Amilcar Cabral University, named after the founder of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC).

Population
The population of Guinea-Bissau was estimated at 1.6 million in 2018.

Languages
Portuguese is the official language. Creole is spoken. Indigenous languages include Balanta-Kentohe, Mandinka, Mandjak, Pulaar and Pepel.

Religion
Around half of the people are Muslims and a significant number follow indigenous beliefs. A smaller percentage of the population are Christians.

Food
Staple foods in Guinea-Bissau are rice, maize, millet and cassava (manioc).

Food is often served with sauces made with ingredients such as peanuts, onions, tomatoes, and fish. Palm oil is used in cooking.

Vegetables and fruits grown include peppers, squash, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, plantains, bananas, coconuts, mangoes, melons, and papayas.

Beer and soft drinks are produced. Palm wine is a local drink.

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