Bolama Region (Bolama)
As of 2009, the total population of the region was 32,424, with the urban population being 9,118 and rural being 23,306. The sex ratio of the region is 97 females for every hundred males. As of 2009, the net activity rate was 48.88 per cent, proportion of employed labour force was 33.32 per cent, proportion of labour force was 75.77 and the proportion of potentially active population was 33.32 per cent. The absolute poverty rate, people earning less than $2 a day, in the region stood at 51.6 per cent, with a regional contribution of 20.6 per cent to the national poverty totals.
Bolama is divided into four administrative sectors:
* Bolama, comprising the islands of Bolama and Galinhas, and some adjacent islands in the north-east of the region, together with the coastal strip;
* Bubaque, consisting of various islands including Bubaque, Orangozinho, Meneque, Soga, Rubane, Roxa and João Viera, all in the south-east of the Bijagós Archipelago;
* Caravela, consisting of various islands including Caravela, Carache, Enu, Formosa, Ponta and Maio, all in the north-west of the Bijagós Archipelago;
* Uno, consisting of the islands Uno, Orango, Uracane, Eguba, Unhacomo, Unhocomozinho and others, in the south-west of the region.
Guinea-Bissau unilaterally proclaimed its independence from Portugal on 24 September 1973 after wars and diplomatic political actions under the Partido Africano da Independência da Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC), Portugal acknowledge the independence of Guinea-Bissau in 1974 and Cape Verde on 5 July 1975. PAIGC ruled both the countries after independence. While international funds came pouring in for the economic development of the nation, the party was accused of misusing power in authoritarian manner (Guinea-Bissau only). In 14th November 1980, there was the first military coup in Guinea-Bissau led by João Bernardo Vieira, Nino, removing Luis Cabral from the Presidency of the Republic. The one-party state mechanism was turbulent during the period of 1980s and 1990s with army taking control of power more frequently and the resultant civil war resulted in loss of property and lives. To decentralize power, an administrative region and eight regions were created. There has not been any local administration since the civil war of 1998-99 and all the social services are done by organs of civil society and other government agencies. There is minimal health and education services offered by the government and all the government departments have operated in a limited fashion. A transitional government was selected during 2003-4 with an adopted Public Transition Charter. The Military Committee appointed two civilians as interim President and Prime Minister. Elections were held for a five-year term on 24 July 2005 with a multi party representation. There was a military coup in 2012, after which EU and international donations stopped. The latest elections were held during April 2014 with 13 Presidential candidates and representation from 15 parties. The elections were monitored by 550 international observers. Jose Mario Vaz and his party, won the Presidential and parliamentary elections against the military backed Nuno Gomes Nabiam.
Map - Bolama Region (Bolama)
Map
Country - Guinea-Bissau
Flag of Guinea-Bissau |
Guinea-Bissau was once part of the kingdom of Kaabu, as well as part of the Mali Empire. Parts of this kingdom persisted until the 18th century, while a few others were under some rule by the Portuguese Empire since the 16th century. In the 19th century, it was colonised as Portuguese Guinea. Portuguese control was restricted and weak until the early 20th century with the pacification campaigns, these campaigns solidified Portuguese sovereignty in the area. The final Portuguese victory over the remaining bastion of mainland resistance, the Papel ruled Kingdom of Bissau in 1915 by the Portuguese military office Teixeira Pinto, and recruited Wolof mercenary Abdul Injai was the event to solidify mainland control. The Bissagos, islands off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, were officially conquered in 1936, ensuring Portuguese control of both the mainland and islands of the region. Upon independence, declared in 1973 and recognised in 1974, the name of its capital, Bissau, was added to the country's name to prevent confusion with Guinea (formerly French Guinea). Guinea-Bissau has a history of political instability since independence, and only one elected president (José Mário Vaz) has successfully served a full five-year term. The current president is Umaro Sissoco Embaló, who was elected on 29 December 2019.
Currency / Language
ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
---|---|---|---|
XOF | West African CFA franc | Fr | 0 |
ISO | Language |
---|---|
PT | Portuguese language |