GUINEA-BISSAU
(Republic of Guinea-Bissau)

Capital: Bissau
Currency: CFA franc of BCEAO (XOF)
Population: 1,3 million people
GDP (PPS): 4 bln. dollars of the USA (2017)
Area: 36 125 sq.km.
IRCHP: 178 (2015)

ABOUT THE COUNTRY

Guinea-Bissau once was a part of the Kingdom of Gabu and also a part of the Malian empire. Parts of this kingdom remained till the 18th century while some other were under some domination of the Portuguese empire since the 16th century. In the 19th century it was colonized as the Portuguese Guinea. After finding of the independence announced in 1973 and recognized in 1974, the name of its capital, Bissau it was added to the name of the country to prevent confusion with Guinea (the former French Guinea). After independence finding Guinea-Bissau has political instability, and any elected president didn't stay full five-year term.

GEOGRAPHY

Guinea-Bissau borders on Senegal in the north and Guinea in the South and the East, on the Atlantic Ocean in the West. It lies mainly between latitudes 11 ° and 13 °C. highway (the small area is to the south from 11 °) both longitudes 13 ° and 17 ° WL.
On 36 125 square kilometers (13 948 sq. miles) the country is more by the size, than Taiwan or Belgium. It is at low height; its highest point makes 300 meters (984 feet). The area generally represents the low coastal plain with the swamps of the Guinean mangrove woods rising by a mosaic of the Guinean forest savanna in the east. Its rainy season, similar to monsoons, alternates with the periods of the hot, dry wind winds falling from the Sahara. The archipelago Bidzhagos lies on the continent.

CLIMATE

Guinea-Bissau warm all the year round, is also observed small fluctuation of temperature; it averages 26,3 °C (79,3 °F). The average amount of precipitation for Bissau makes 2 024 millimeters (79,7 inches) though it is almost completely considered during a rainy season which drops out during the period from June to September/October. From December to April the country endures a drought.

EDUCATION

Education is obligatory from 7 to 13 years. Preschool education for children aged from three up to six years is facultative and at early stages. There are five education levels: preschool, elementary and additional basic education, general and additional secondary education, general secondary education, technical and vocational education and the higher education (universities and universities). The basic education is in a stage of reforming and now forms the uniform cycle including 6 years of training. Secondary education is widely available and there are two cycles (with 7th on the 9th class and with 10th on the 11th class). Professional education in public institutions is not operational, however private educational institutions, including Centro - formasa San-Zhuan Bosko (since 2004) and Centro - formasa Luis Inyasio Lula da Silva opened (since 2011).