The city of Bissau is the capital of Guinea-Bissau. Bissau is the country’s largest city, main port, administration and military center.
Guinea Bissau is a Northwest African country. The Portuguese colony in the past was known as Portuguese Guinea during the colonial period. After gaining independence, the name of the capital, Bissau, was added to Guinea-Bissau to avoid confusion with the Republic of Guinea.
Related: Capital of Guinea
When did Bissau Become the Capital?
Bissau was founded in 1687 by Portugal as a port and commercial center. In 1942, it became the capital of the Portuguese Guinea.
After the declaration of independence by the anti-colonial guerrillas of the PAIGC (African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde) in 1973, the capital of the de facto independent regions was declared as Madina do Boe. Bissau remained the capital of the occupied territories of Portugal and the capital of all Portuguese Guinea.
Portugal recognized the independence of Guinea-Bissau in 1974, which was decolonized in 1974 due to the military coup in Lisbon, and the two regions united. Bissau was the capital of the new independent state. After gaining independence, the name of the capital, Bissau, was added to avoid confusion with the Republic of Guinea.
Features of Bissau
According to Bissau 2009 data, it has a population of 387,909. Bissau has a surface area of 77 square kilometers. The city has a tropical climate. In general, there are two seasons, dry and rainy. Between June and November, monsoon type precipitation is seen. During this period, the weather is very hot and humid. The dry season is observed between December and May. The air temperature is above 20 ° C the whole year. Very rarely falls below 20 ° C.
The economy of Guinea-Bissau, one of the poorest 20 countries in Africa, is mainly based on farming and fishing. The country exports small amounts of peanuts, palm seeds, and timber as well as fish and seafood. Rice is the most important crop and major foodstuff.
The country’s export products come from mahogany, shrimp, peanuts, and palm seeds. The largest export partners are India and Ecuador. Import products include various foods, machinery, and vehicles, petroleum products. The biggest import partners are Italy, Senegal, and Portugal.
Since fishing is common in the country and is extremely rich in seafood, the dishes in the country cuisine are mainly seafood-based.
Small burglaries and pickpockets in the city are especially common in airports, markets and other crowded places. Military and police areas should be taken with permission to take photos near.
Important Places to See in Bissau
Bissau is located in the Atlantic Ocean on the banks of the Geba River. The city of Bissau, the largest city in the country of Guinea Bissau, is the administrative and military center of the port city. Places to visit in Bissau are;
Igreja Bissau Church built in 1945 in the center of an old Roman Middle Ages Church, the most prominent building of the city, the Presidential Palace, the Bissau Harbor on the Geba River, the Amura Castle built by the Portuguese in 1969, the most crowded area of the city. The central market, which has a fascinating beauty with many souvenirs sold, is the National Ethnographic Museum that reflects the history of the city.