Bissau, also Bissão, city, west central Guinea-Bissau, capital of the country, near the mouth of the Gêba River. The main ethnic groups of the city are the Fulani, Mandinka (also known as Mandingo or Malinke), and Balante; a large portion of them are Muslim. The principal products of the country, including nuts, hides, rice, and wax, are exported from Bissau, the chief port. Bissau was established as a slave-trading center for the Portuguese and became a free port in 1869. African guerrilla activities against the Portuguese, which eventually led to the country's independence in 1973-1974, originated in the city in 1962. Population (1994 estimate) 200,000.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
http://encarta.msn.com © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Bissau Information info
|
