Flag Description

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; yellow symbolizes the sun; green denotes hope; red represents blood shed during the struggle for independence; the black star stands for African unity

Background:Since independence from Portugal in 1974, Guinea-Bissau has experienced considerable political and military upheaval. In 1980, a military coup established authoritarian dictator Joao Bernardo 'Nino' VIEIRA as president. Despite setting a path to a market economy and multiparty system, VIEIRA's regime was characterized by the suppression of political opposition and the purging of political rivals. Several coup attempts through the 1980s and early 1990s failed to unseat him. In 1994 VIEIRA was elected president in the country's first free elections. A military mutiny and resulting civil war in 1998 eventually led to VIEIRA's ouster in May 1999. In February 2000, a transitional government turned over power to opposition leader Kumba YALA after he was elected president in transparent polling. In September 2003, after only three years in office, YALA was overthrown in a bloodless military coup, and businessman Henrique ROSA was sworn in as interim president. In 2005, former President VIEIRA was re-elected president pledging to pursue economic development and national reconciliation; he was assassinated in March 2009. Malam Bacai SANHA was elected in an emergency election held in June 2009, but he passed away in January 2012 from an existing illness. A military coup in April 2012 prevented Guinea-Bissau's second-round presidential election - to determine SANHA's successor - from taking place.

Total Area: 36,125 sq km

Land Area:28,120 sq km

Water Area:8,005 sq km

Land Boundries Total:762 km

Border Countries:Guinea 421 km, Senegal 341 km

Coastline:350 km

Lowest Point:Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Highest Point:unnamed elevation in the eastern part of the country 300 m

Population:1,693,398 (July 2014 est.)

Population Growth Rate:1.93% (2014 est.)

Religion:Muslim 50%, indigenous beliefs 40%, Christian 10%

Literacy(%):0.553

Literacy(%) Male:0.689

Literacy(%) Female:42.1% (2011 est.)

Independence Day:24 September 1973 (declared); 10 September 1974 (from Portugal)

National Holiday:Independence Day, 24 September (1973)

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