t: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility
during dry season

_*_People
_#_Population: 1,023,544 (July 1991), growth rate 2.4% (1991)

_#_Birth rate: 42 births/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Death rate: 18 deaths/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Net migration rate: 0 migrants/1,000 population (1991)

_#_Infant mortality rate: 125 deaths/1,000 live births (1991)

_#_Life expectancy at birth: 45 years male, 48 years female (1991)

_#_Total fertility rate: 5.8 children born/woman (1991)

_#_Nationality: noun--Guinea-Bissauan(s); adjective--Guinea-Bissauan

_#_Ethnic divisions: African about 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca
14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%); European and mulatto less than 1%

_#_Religion: indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5%

_#_Language: Portuguese (official); Criolo and numerous African
languages

_#_Literacy: 36% (male 50%, female 24%) age 15 and over can
read and write (1990 est.)

_#_Labor force: 403,000 (est.); agriculture 90%, industry, services,
and commerce 5%, government 5%; population of working age 53% (1983)

_#_Organized labor: only one trade union--the National Union of
Workers of Guinea-Bissau (UNTG)

_*_Government
_#_Long-form name: Republic of Guinea-Bissau

_#_Type: republic; highly centralized one-party regime since September
1974; the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape
Verde (PAIGC) held an extraordinary party congress in December 1990 and
established a two-year transition program during which the constitution
will be revised, allowing for multiple political parties and a
presidential election in 1993

_#_Capital: Bissau

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

_#_Independence: 24 September 1973 (from Portugal; formerly Portuguese
Guinea)

_#_Constitution: 16 May 1984

_#_Legal system: NA

_#_National holiday: Independence Day, 24 September (1973)

_#_Executive branch: president of the Council of State, vice
presidents of the Council of State, Council of State, Council of
Ministers (cabinet)

_#_Legislative branch: unicameral National People's Assembly
(Assembleia Nacional Popular)

_#_Judicial branch: none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the
Council of Ministers

_#_Leaders:

Chief of State and Head of Government--President of the
Council of State Brig. Gen.