Guinea-Bissau

Guinea-Bissau (formerly Portuguese Guinea), republic in West Africa between Senegal to the north and the Republic of Guinea to the east and west, with various coastal islands and an offshore archipelago in the Atlantic. The mainland consists of coastal swamps, a heavily forested central plain, and savanna grazing land in the east.

The climate is hot and humid, with heavy rains from May to Oct. Africans form 98% of the population; most are engaged in agriculture, on which the economy is based. Seafood is an increasingly important export. Industry is limited but expanding. The largest town and main port is Bissau, the capital. Since 1993 the country has a multi-party system.