Guinea-Bissau

Where the name comes from

Guinea-Bissau adds its capital, Bissau, to the wider regional name Guinea, whose origin is uncertain.

First people

Balanta, Fula, Mandinka and other peoples lived here for centuries.¹

Known for

Guinea-Bissau is known for the Bijagós Islands, where saltwater hippos and sea turtles live among mangroves.²

Outside contact

Portugal built trading forts such as Cacheu in 1588, and Portuguese Guinea became a separate colony in 1879.¹

The modern country

Amílcar Cabral’s movement fought Portuguese rule; independence was declared in 1973 and recognized by Portugal in 1974, and plans to unite with Cabo Verde ended with a 1980 coup.^3,4