Guinea-Bissau Country & Tourist Information

Location
West Africa.

Area
36,125 sq km (13,948 sq miles).

Population
1.6 million (UN, 2005).

Population Density
44.3 per sq km.

Capital
Bissau.
Population: 197,610 (1991).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from Portugal in 1973.

Language
Official language is Portuguese. The majority of the population speak Guinean Creole. Balante and Fulani languages are also spoken.

Religion
Mainly animist and Muslim. There is a small minority of Roman Catholics and other Christians.

Time
GMT.

Electricity
Limited electricity supply on 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Aristides Gomes since November 2005.

Head of State
Joao Bernardo Vieira since 2005.

Telephone
Country code: 245. Outgoing international calls must go through the operator. It is difficult to find public telephones or to receive international calls. Telephone services are also expensive.

Mobile Telephone
Some networks operate. No roaming agreements have been announced yet.

Internet
Very limited Internet access is available in Bissau.

Media
Since the overthrow of Kumba Yala in 2003, the media scene has been less repressive. The lack of a reliable power supply is still a problem. Private radio stations operate alongside the state-run broadcaster. There are few private newspapers, essentially due to financial constraints rather than to Government interference.


Post
There is a limited postal service.

Press
• There are no English-language papers.
• Journal Nô Pintcha is a state-run newspaper published daily.
• Banobero, Correio-Bissau and Fraskera are private weekly publications.

Radio
• Radio Nacional is a state-run station.
• Radio Pindjiguiti, Bombolom FM and Voice of Quelele are private stations.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
8 Mar International Women’s Day.
1 May Labor Day.
3 Aug Anniversary of the Killing of Pidjiguoiti.
24 Sep National Day.
13 Oct Korité (end of Ramadan).
14 Nov Anniversary of the Movement of Readjustment.
20 Dec Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
8 Mar International Women’s Day.
1 May Labor Day.
3 Aug Anniversary of the Killing of Pidjiguoiti.
24 Sep National Day. 
2 Oct Korité (end of Ramadan).
14 Nov Anniversary of the Movement of Readjustment.
9 Dec Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Korité, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Korité itself. Korité and Tabaski may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information:

Centro de Informação e Turismo
CP 294, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
Tel: 213 905 or 212 844 (government office).

Embassy of Guinea-Bissau in Luxembourg
18, rue Neuve, 6137 Junglinster, Luxembourg
Tel: 0212 18392.
Website: www.republica-da-guine-bissau.org


Embassy of Guinea-Bissau in the USA
15929 Yukon Lane, Rockville, MD 20855, USA
Tel/Fax: (301) 947 3958.

Embassy of Guinea-Bissau in France
94 Rue St Lazare, 75009 Paris, France
Tel: (1) 4674 3639. Fax: (1) 4674 3639.
Website: www.republica-da-guine-bissau.org


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