es: Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)
total population: 54.9%
male: 68%
female: 42.5%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau
conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau
local long form: Republica de Guine-Bissau
local short form: Guine-Bissau
former: Portuguese Guinea

Data code: PU

Type of government: republic, formerly highly centralized,
multiparty since mid-1991

Capital: Bissau

Administrative divisions: 9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao);
Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali

Independence: 10 September 1974 (from Portugal)

National holiday: Independence Day, 10 September (1974)

Constitution: 16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991 (currently
undergoing revision to liberalize popular participation in the
government)

Legal system: NA

Suffrage: 15 years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau Joao
Bernardo VIEIRA (assumed power 14 November 1980) was elected for a
five-year term by universal suffrage; election last held August 1994
(next to be held 1999); results - Joao Bernardo VIEIRA 52%, Kumba
YALLA 48%
head of government: Prime Minister Manuel SATURNINO (since 5
November 1994) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president

Legislative branch: unicameral
National People's Assembly: (Assembleia Nacional Popular) elections
last held 3 July and 7 August 1994 (next to be held 1999); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (100 total) PAIGC 62, RGB 19,
PRS 12, Union for Change Coalition 6, FLING 1

Judicial branch: none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the
Council of Ministers

Political parties and leaders: African Party for the Independence
of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), President Joao Bernardo
VIEIRA, leader; Guinea-Bissau Resistance (RGB), Helder Jorge VAZ
Gomes Lopes, leader; Democratic Front (FD); Social Renovation Party
(PRS), Koumba YALLA, leader; Union for Change Coalition; Front for
the Liberation and Independence of Guinea (FLING); Democratic Social
Front (FDS), Rafael BARBOSA, leader; Bafata Movement, Domingos
Fernandes GARNER, leader; Guinea-Bissau Resistance (RGB); Union for
Change Coalition

International organization participation: ACC