Guinea Bissau is situated on the west coast of Africa and is bordered to the north by Senegal, the east and southeast by Guinea and west southwest by the Atlantic Ocean. 

Area (including Bijagos Archipelago):
36,125 sq. km., about the size of Switzerland

Population:
The population of Guinea-Bissau is ethnically diverse with 1.2 million inhabitants. Balanta (30 %), and Papel (23 %), Fula and Mandinka speakers concentrated in the north and northeast, the Manjaco and Mancanha, occupying the central and northern coastal areas.

Religions:
65% traditional religious beliefs (animism); 30% are Muslim, Christian 5%

Languages Spoken:
Portuguese (official), Creole, French, many indigenous languages.

Time zone: GMT

Visa overview:
Please check with the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in your country.
A Visa is required and Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the intended departure date.

Health:
A Yellow Fever certificate is required. Anti-malaria pills are recommended.

Climate:
The dry season lasts from November through May. The average temperature ranges from 79°F - 82°F (25° - 30° C.)

Currency: CFA Franc BCEAO. Cash is your best bet; credit and debit cards are not accepted anywhere and although travellers cheques can be cashed in a few places in the capital, they are never accepted as payment. If you carry foreign currency, euros are the easiest to change

Getting there:
Guinea-Bissau's only airport with regularly scheduled flights is 8km (5mi) from Bissau. The principal airline that flies in and out of Bissau is TAP Air Portugal; regional airlines include Air Senegal (from Dakar) and TACV (Cape Verde's airline).