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