Africa · Western Africa

Guinea-Bissau

Capital: Bissau
Population: 1,967,998
Region: Africa
Languages: Portuguese

Fun fact

The Bijagós Archipelago, consisting of eighty-eight islands and islets, is home to a unique society where women traditionally hold significant communal power and manage land ownership. This region is also globally recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve due to its rare population of saltwater-adapted hippopotamuses that can be seen swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. The islands serve as a vital nesting ground for green sea turtles, hosting one of the largest colonies in the entire African continent.

Currency

The official currency is the West African CFA franc, which uses the ISO code XOF. Guinea-Bissau is the only former Portuguese colony in Africa to use this currency, as it replaced the Guinea-Bissau peso in 1997 when the nation joined the West African Economic and Monetary Union.

Flag symbolism

The flag features the Pan-African colors of red, yellow, and green, which were heavily influenced by the flag of Ghana and the PAIGC liberation movement. The vertical red stripe on the hoist side represents the blood shed by those who fought for national independence against colonial rule. The horizontal yellow stripe signifies the abundant minerals and labor of the people, while the green stripe represents the country's lush forests and agricultural wealth. Centered in the red band is a five-pointed black star, which symbolizes the unity of the African continent and its people.

Emblem history

The national emblem of Guinea-Bissau features a centered black star set against a red background, mirroring the primary motif of the national flag. A golden scallop shell is positioned at the bottom, which is a specific heraldic reference to the country's location on the coast of West Africa. This central disk is framed by two symmetrical olive branches representing the desire for peace as the nation grows. The emblem was officially adopted in 1973 following the declaration of independence from Portugal and incorporates a banner at the bottom inscribed with the national motto: Unity, Struggle, Progress.