A small, developing country in the western part of Africa. The infrastructure and tourist facilities are due to the recent civil war and unstable political situation rather limited. Despite these problems, the untouched scenic beauty and varieties of wildlife makes Guinea-Bissau a beautiful nation.

History

Guinea-Bissau used to be the Kingdom of Kaabu, which was part of the Mali Empire. The interior of the country was not explored until the nineteenth century. After the exploration in the 15th century by the Portuguese it became a colony in 1897.

The war for the independence begun in 1960 and was finally achieved on 10th September 1974. An army mutiny began in 1998, which turned into a war. Presidential elections were held in June 2005.

Land and People

The landscape is from the biggest part formed by a low-lying coastal plain, with the highest point at 300 metres. Guinea-Bissau is nearly identical in size to Taiwan. There can be found various rivers that flow through the savannah, some with swampy estuaries. In terms of the climate the monsoon-like season alternates with periods of hot winds that blow from the Sahara.

Culture

Music plays an important role in the lives of the native inhabitants. The calabash is the main musical instrument. It is often used for the dance music. Interesting is the fact, that the matriarchal social system has survived to the present day. This means that the women choose husbands who are stampeded into marrying them.