The official name of Guinea – Bissau is Republic of Guinea Bissau. This is one of one smallest nation in continental Africa. The countries that border Guinea-Bissau are Senegal to the north, and Guinea to the south and east. Atlantic Ocean lies to the west of Guinea-Bissau.

Earlier Guinea-Bissau was protectorate of Portuguese. It became free from Portugal on September 24, 1973. Historians believe that people started living in ancient Guinea-Bissau as early as 12th Century. A Portuguese slave trader Nuno Tristão visited Guinea-Bissau in 1446. Later, at Bissau, a Portuguese post was established in 1687 but the British and French people denied the Portuguese claim.

In 1792, the British settled at Bolama. In 1879 the region was constituted a Portuguese colony, and border disputes with the French were settled by treaty in 1886. Though until 1915, Portuguese were not completely able taking full control of the country.

Guinea – Bissau was given status of province in 1952, soon afterward an African nationalist movement arose, led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC). Guinea-Bissau formally got independence from Portugal on September 10, 1974.

The size of Guinea-Bissau (13 948 sq mi) is very much identical to Taiwan or US state of Maryland. Guinea-Bissau is a tropical country; its highest point is 984ft above sea level. The internal region is savanna, and the coastline is swampy plain. Its monsoon-like rainy season alternates with periods of hot, dry harmattan winds blowing from the Sahara. The Bijagos Archipelago extends out to sea.

The government in Guinea Bissau is republic. There is a multiparty system and government is highly centralized. The president of Guinea-Bissau is Head of the State and Prime Minister is Head of the government. There is National People’s Academy made up 100 members at National level. The members are elected from multi member constituencies for a four years term. At Judicial level, there is Supreme Court consisting of nine justices. The President appoints the justices of Supreme Court. João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira became President of Guinea-Bissau in 2005.

The economy of Guinea-Bissau is largely dependent on agriculture. Rice, plantains, cassava, and maize are main food crops. The main cash crops are cotton, palm products and peanuts. The fisheries sector has grown significantly and is a major source of foreign earnings. People living in the interior areas keep cattle. Manufacturing activities are limited to production of consumable goods and processing of raw materials.