Country information

Area: 36,120 sq km
Population: 1.5 million (2005 United Nations estimate)
Capital City: Bissau
People and languages: The main ethnic groups of Guinea-Bissau are the Balanta, the Fula, the Manjaca, the Mandinga and the Papel. Portuguese is the official language. Crioulo and indigenous African languages are widely spoken.
Religion(s): Islam, Christianity and indigenous beliefs are all practised.
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFA franc), pegged to the Euro.
Major political parties: African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC); Guinea-Bissau Resistance-Ba Fata Movement (RGB-MB); Party for Democratic Convergence (PCD); Social Renovation Party (PRS); Union for Change (UM).
Head of State: Joao Bernardo 'Nino' Vieira
Prime Minister: Martinho N’Dafa Kabi
Membership of major international groupings/organisations: United Nations (UN), African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Union Economique et Monetaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA), African Development Bank (AFDB), Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP).

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