Guinea-Bissau - Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau

Location
Coat of arms and flag
Capital	Bissau
Government	Military junta
Currency	UEMOA CFA Franc (XOF)
Surface	36,125 km²
Inhabitants	1.647.000 (2010 estimate) 1.345.479 (2002 census)
Tongue	Portuguese
Religion	Islam (50%), Animism (40%), Christianity (10%)
Electricity	220V / 50Hz (European socket)
Prefix	245
TLD	.gw
Time zone	UTC
Website	Government of Guinea-Bissau^{[link not working]}

	ATTENTION: Since July 2012: due to the numerous coups in recent years, they have undermined urban security, so contact your embassy before traveling to the country.

Guinea-Bissau is a small state ofWest Africa which to the west overlooks the Atlantic Ocean which borders the Senegal to the north and the Guinea to the south and east.

To know

Savannah landscape and termite mounds

Guinea-Bissau was a colony Portuguese until 1973, when it abandoned the previous name of Portuguese Guinea in favor of the current one. To the original name was added that of the capital Bissau to prevent confusion with the neighboring state of the Guinea, a former French colony.

Geographical notes

It is a very flat country where no point exceeds 200 m of altitude.

When to go

When choosing when to visit the country, it is advisable to keep in mind that the climate is tropical, with an average annual temperature of 25 ° C and that the rainy season runs from June to November. The average annual rainfall is around 1,600 mm.

Background

The current territory of Guinea-Bissau once coincided with the kingdom of Gabù, in turn part of the Empire of Mali. Portugal actively frequented its shores since the 17th century to procure slaves. Guinea-Bissau began the struggle for independence in 1956 but only obtained it on 24 September 1973 proclaiming independence from Portugal.

Spoken languages

In addition to the official language (spoken by only 14% of the population), several ethnic languages are widespread throughout the country. The most widespread language (about 50%) is kriol, a Portuguese creole.

Territories and tourist destinations

Guinea-Bissau is divided into 8 administrative regions (regiões) and 1 of the autonomous sector (sector autónomo), and are divided into 37 sectors.

Mainland Guinea - This region includes all major cities including the capital Bissau.

Bijagos archipelago - Archipelago made up of 88 beautiful tropical islands. On the island of Orango, it is possible to see saltwater hippos, and there are many other eco-tourism possibilities on other pristine islands. On some islands there are also areas that turtles use to reproduce. Many islands have French-run fishing lodges.

Urban centers

Bissau - The capital.
Bafatá - Pleasant city with an interesting colonial center located in Rio Gêba. Hometown of the national hero Amilcar Cabral. Near the old market it is possible to visit his house.
Bolama - Old capital (until 1941) full of magnificent examples of colonial architecture. It was proposed as a heritage ofUNESCO.
Buba - Located at the end of the asphalted road leading to the south of the town.
Bubaque - It is the largest city in the archipelago where it is possible to stay in hotels or rent boats to travel between the other islands.
Cacheu - Once famous for the slave trade. A small fort is still present.
Catió
Farim
Gabú - Lively market town mainly inhabited by Muslims.

Other destinations

Varela - South of Cap Skirring (Senegal), but within the national borders of Guinea-Bissau, it is a true tour de force get to Varela on a 50km long, dirty and bumpy road from São Domingos. However, such efforts are rewarded when you reach this little paradise, with a superb hotel run by Italians, beautiful beaches, pine forests and a very relaxing atmosphere with hardly any tourists around.

How to get

Entry requirements

Passport, VISA and yellow fever vaccination. To obtain the VISA, go to the Guinea Bissau embassy in Rome, although it is also possible to obtain it at the Guinea Bissau embassy in Dakar in Senegal; Yellow fever vaccination, 2 passport photos, flight plan, 30 euros of consular fees and the completed form are required (data as of 2013). The release time is 7 days.

By plane

The capital Bissau it is served by the Osvaldo Vieira International Airport.

By car

To reach the country by road, bear in mind that the roads are often in poor conditions.

On the train

There is no railway network.

How to get around

Transport in the country is scarce and today particularly difficult.

By car

When traveling by road, bear in mind that the roads are often in poor conditions.

On the train

There is no railway network.

What see

Jemberem forests - In the Cantanhez Natural Park, where with a little luck it is possible to see chimpanzees.

What to do

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Currency and purchases

UEMOA - Acceding countries map

CFA Franc - Map of participating countries

The national currency is the CFA franc (XOF). This same currency is used by all states belonging to theWest African Economic and Monetary Union (Union économique et monétaire ouest-africaine - UEMOA).

The West African Economic and Monetary Union, to which the following states belong: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal is Togo, adheres to Economic Community of West African States (Economic Community of West African States - ECOWAS / Communauté Économique des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest - CEDEAO).

Although the Central African CFA Franc (XAF) and the West African CFA Franc (XOF) have always had the same monetary value against other currencies, they are in principle two separate currencies because the competent monetary authorities could change their rate at any time. exchange. Therefore these currencies are "theoretically" accepted only in the countries where they officially circulate.

The following states belong to the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (Communauté Économique et Monétaire de l'Afrique Centrale - CEMAC): Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon is Chad.

ECOWAS - Map of participating countries

1 CFA Franc coin

Below are the links to know the current exchange rate with the main world currencies:

(EN) With Google Finance:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
With Yahoo! Finance:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
(EN) With XE.com:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD
(EN) With OANDA.com:	AUD CAD CHF EUR GBP HKD JPY USD

At the table

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Tourist infrastructure

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Events and parties

Date		Festivity	Note
1	January	New Year	International holiday
20	January	Party of heroes	Memorial to the murder of Amílcar Cabral who fought for the country's independence for more than 20 years (1973)
8	March	Women's day	International holiday
1	May	Workers Day	International holiday
3	August	Martyrs day	Memorial of the Pidjiguiti massacre (1959)
24	September	Independence Day	Independence from Portugal (1973)
14	November	Festival of the rehabilitation movement	Memorial
25	December	Christmas	Christian holiday that marks the birth of Christ
1	muharram	Ras as-Sana	Muslim holiday that marks the beginning of the Islamic New Year
12	rabi 'al-awwal	Mawlid	Muslim holiday that marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad
1	shawwal	Id al-fitr	Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan
10	dhul-hijja	Id Al Adha	Muslim festival of sacrifice or ram also called Tabaski or Id El Kabir (great festival)

Safety

	ATTENTION: From 28 February 2007 the borders towards the Guinea and it is advisable not to go to the areas adjacent to the border. In the area bordering Casamance (Senegal) there are still many anti-personnel mines, so it is not recommended to go to this region.

For the rest there are no further risks.

Health situation

Health facilities are very poor. There is a risk that the drugs turn out to be counterfeit.

It is advisable to drink only mineral water and to use it also for oral hygiene, and not to bathe in fresh water due to the risk of bacterial infection.

Vaccinations against cholera, hepatitis A and B, meningitis and antimalarial prophylaxis are recommended.

Respect the customs

Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar and lasts 29-30 days. Muslims fast every day for its entire duration and most restaurants will be closed until dusk. Nothing (including water and cigarettes) should pass through the lips from sunrise to sunset. Foreigners and travelers are exempt, but should still refrain from eating or drinking in public as it is considered rude. Working hours are also decreasing in the corporate world. The exact dates of Ramadan depend on local astronomical observations and may vary from country to country. Ramadan ends with the feast of Eid al-Fitr, which can take several days, usually three in most countries.