Bissau


Bissau is the capital city of Guinea-Bissau. In 2015, Bissau had a population of 492,004. Bissau is located on the Geba River estuary, off the Atlantic Ocean, and is Guinea-Bissau's largest city, major port, and its administrative and military centre.

History

The city was founded in 1687 by Portugal as a fortified port and trading center. In 1942 it became the capital of Portuguese Guinea.
After the declaration of independence by the anti-colonial guerrillas of PAIGC in 1973, the capital of the rebel territories was declared to be Madina do Boe, while Bissau remained the colonial capital. When Portugal granted independence, following the military coup of April 25 in Lisbon, Bissau became the capital of the new independent state.
Bissau was the scene of intense fighting during the beginning and end of the Guinea-Bissau Civil War in 1998 and 1999.

Geography and climate

Bissau is located at 11°52' North, 15°36' West , on the Geba River estuary, off the Atlantic Ocean. The land surrounding Bissau is extremely low-lying, and the river is accessible to ocean-going vessels despite its modest discharge for about beyond the city.
Bissau has a tropical savanna climate, not quite wet enough to qualify as a tropical monsoon climate but much wetter than most climates of its type.
Almost no rain falls from December to May, but during the remaining six months of the year the city receives around of rain.

Demographics

At the 1979 census, Bissau had a population of 109,214. By the 2015 census Bissau had a population of 492,004.

Economy

Bissau is the country's largest city, major port, educational, administrative and military center. Peanuts, hardwoods, copra, palm oil, and rubber are the chief products.

Transportation

The airport that serves Bissau is Osvaldo Vieira International Airport, with regional international flights as well as flights to Europe, on six scheduled commercial airline companies.

Education

The main high school institutions in Bissau are the National Lyceum Kwame N'Krumah and the Bethel-Bissau Adventist School The main higher education institutions in the city are the University Amílcar Cabral and the Catholic University of Guinea Bissau.
The city of Bissau still has two international schools:
Attractions include the Portuguese-built Fortaleza de São José da Amura barracks from the 18th century, containing Amílcar Cabral's mausoleum, the Pidjiguiti Memorial to the dockers killed in the Bissau Dockers' Strike on August 3, 1959, the Guinea-Bissau National Arts Institute, Bissau New Stadium and local beaches.
Many buildings in the city were ruined during the Guinea-Bissau Civil War, including the Guinea-Bissau Presidential Palace and the Bissau French Cultural Centre, and the city centre is still underdeveloped.

Places of worship

Among the places of worship, they are predominantly Muslim mosques. There are also Christian churches and temples : Roman Catholic Diocese of Bissau, Evangelical Churches, Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.

Gallery

International relations

Twin towns – Sister cities

Bissau is twinned with: