Country
Countries A-Z
Guinea-Bissau
Republic of Guinea-Bissau
República da Guiné-Bissau
Political Status: Achieved independence from Portugal on September 10, 1974; under rule of Revolutionary Council following coup of November 14, 1980; new constitution of May 16, 1984, amended on May 4, 1991; military control imposed following coup of May 8, 1999; present constitution promulgated July 7, 1999, under direction of military junta.
Area: 13,948 sq. mi. (36,125 sq. km).
Population: 1,585,440 (2012E—UN); 1,628,603 (2012E—U.S. Census).
Major Urban Center (2005E): BISSAU (247,000).
Official Language: Portuguese (several local languages are also spoken).
Monetary Unit: CFA Franc (official rate November 5, 2012: 514.76 francs = $1US). The CFA franc, previously pegged to the French franc, is now permanently pegged to the euro at 655.957 CFA francs = 1 euro.
Interim President: Manuel Serifo NHAMADJO (Ind.), appointed by the Military Command ...