Guinea-Bissau was another time a kingdom of Gabù, a portion of the Mali Empire; parts of a kingdom subsisted until the 18th century. Though a streams, lakes, & wells throughout and coast of this metropolitan area were among a 1st site colonized per Portuguese, world health organization began a slave trade in the 17th century, a interior was non explored until the 19th century. The rebellion beginning within 1956 by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC) consolidated its hold on the united states by 1973. Independence was unilaterally declared in September 24, 1973 and was recognized by the 93-7 UN General Assembly vote within November [http://daccessdds.un.org/doc/RESOLUTION/GEN/NR0/281/33/IMG/NR028133.pdf?OpenElement] , unprecedented when it denounced illegal Portuguese aggression & occupation & was before complete control & Portuguese recognition. Recognition became universal ensuing a Portuguese revolution of 1974. the united states was controlled by a radical council until 1984. A 1st multi-person elections were held around 1994, but an army insurrection inside 1998 led to the president's ousting & a Guinea-Bissau Civil War. Elections were held within 2000 and Kumba Yala was elected.

Inside September 2003 a coup took place where a war machine arrested Yala, because "he was unable to solve the problems". Fallowing existence delayed many days, legislative elections were held in April 2004. The mutiny of military factions in October 2004 resulted in the death of the head of the armed forces, & induced far flung unrest.

Inside June 2005, Presidential elections was held first since a coup that deposed Yala. Yala returned when a candidate for a PRS, claiming to become a legitimate President of the united states, however the election was won by previous President João Bernardo Vieira, deposed in the 1998 coup. Vieirthe was a candidate for 1 sect of the PAIGC. Vieira beat Malam Bacai Sanha in a runoff-election, however Sanha refused to ab initio concede, claiming that a election stand been fraudalent in two constituencies, including the capital Bissau.

Despite reports that there experienced been an inflow of arms in a weeks initiate to the election & reports of a bit of 'disturbances in the period of electioneering' - including a attacks of a presidential palace & the Interior Ministry by when of however unidentified gunmen - European monitors labelled the election when "calm and organized". [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4723627.stm]

Politics
Independent article: Politics of Guinea-Bissau

Guinethe-Bissau has a multi-party National People's Assembly, besides as a president, each elected by popular vote. A president appoints a prime minister when consultation by having a parties in the assembly. A previous president, Kumba Yala, belongs to the Social Renovation Party or PRS; other parties in a assembly include the Guinea-Bissau Trend lines & PAIGC.

Regions
Independent article: Regions of Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau is divided into nine regions (regiões): Bafata Region Biombo Region Bissau Region Bolama Region Cacheu Region Gabu Region Oio Region Quinara Region Tombali Region

Geography
Independent article: Geography of Guinea-Bissau

This little, tropical united states lies at the great altitude; its greatest point is 300 metres. A interior is savanna, and a coast line is waterlogged plain. Its monsoon-like rainy year alternates by using periods of hot, dry harmattan winds blowing from a Sahara. A Bijagos Archipelago extends out to sea.

Economy
Independent article: Economy of Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau is among a Twenty poorest countries of the globe. Its farming & camping economy was badly disrupted per 1998-99 civil war. It has the foreign debt of $US 921 million and is subject to an IMF structural adjustment program.

One of Guinea-Bissau's crucial income sources is cashew nuts, of which it exports 90,000 tons per season. Inside January 2005 the government announced that a locust swarm was threatening this vital crop, and that a united states did non use at times a resources to tackle a infestation.

Demographics
Independent article: Demographics of Guinea-Bissau

A people of Guinea-Bissau is ethnically diverse with distinct languages, customs, & social structures. A independent spoken language is Portuguese creole (44%); the Portuguese language is spoken by 14%. Virtually all humans come farmers, using traditional religious beliefs (animism); 45% are Muslim, principally Fula and Mandinka speakers concentrated in the north & northeast. More crucial groups come a Balanta and Papel, living in a southern coastal regions, & the Manjaco and Mancanha, in the central and northern coastal areas.

Culture
Independent article: Culture of Guinea-Bissau

View as well: List of writers from Guinea-Bissau

Miscellaneous topics

Communications in Guinea-Bissau Foreign relations of Guinea-Bissau List of Guinea-Bissau-related topics Military of Guinea-Bissau Public holidays in Guinea-Bissau Transportation in Guinea-Bissau

Reference

Richard Andrew Lobban, Jr. & Peter Karibe Mendy, Historical Dictionary of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Tertiary ed. (Scarecrow Click, 1997) ISBN 0-8108-3226-7 Includes extensive bibliography