Discover Guinea Bissau: 8 Fascinating and Unique Fun Facts You Never Knew!
1. Biodiversity Party Central
If you're ever feeling a little blue, just remember that somewhere in Guinea-Bissau, a chatty chimpanzee might be mingling with a giggly gambol of hippos, or a synchronized swimming session of flashy finned fish could be entertaining a dapper dolphin audience. It's a wild party out there: Guinea-Bissau is West Africa's biodiversity hotspot, hosting an impressive variety of creatures including elephants, crocodiles, over 700 bird species, and a thriving marine life featuring pristine coral reefs, manatees, dolphins, and numerous species of sharks and fish.
Source => en.wikipedia.org
2. Cashew Nut Haven
When life gives you cashews, Guinea-Bissau will be your nutty sanctuary: As the land of cashew nut production that was introduced by the Portuguese colonizers, Guinea-Bissau relies on this crunchy income source for many small farmers, while also juggling agriculture, fishing, and forestry to diversify its economy.
Source => scielo.br
Did you know that Mbour, Senegal hosts one of West Africa's most important fish trading centers? đ Dive into the lively market, where over 600,000 people are connected to rich fishing grounds, while also uncovering the alarming fact about 80% of the region's fish stocks being depleted. đ
=> Fun Facts about Senegal
3. Vivid Flag Symbolism
Feeling in the mood to paint the town red, or rather, the flag green, yellow, and red? Guinea-Bissau's got you covered: Their national flag flaunts three vibrant horizontal bands with green symbolizing the lush forests, yellow for mineral wealth, and red for the bloodshed during their fight for independence â all topped off by a black star-studded centerpiece, representing international solidarity and unity with African brethren.
Source => a-z-animals.com
4. Bulls Dancing in Technicolor
In Guinea-Bissau, bulls don't see red - they dance in technicolor: this culturally rich nation hosts over 20 distinct ethnic groups, each with their own traditions, like the Balanta people's dazzling annual bullfighting festival, while UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserves like the Bijagos Archipelago serve as a vibrant stage for the country's unique biodiversity.
Source => reuters.com
5. Moringa-Mania
Who needs a pharmacy when you've got Moringa-mania on your side: Guinea-Bissau is home to the extraordinary Moringa oleifera plant, which not only fights malnutrition with its nutrient-rich seeds, flowers, and fruits, but also boasts antimicrobial, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties, while its extracted juice acts as a growth hormone that can boost crop yields by an impressive 25-35%.
Source => sciencedirect.com
6. VIP Resort for Hippos and Turtles
Ever wondered if hippos can swim in saltwater, or if sea turtles enjoy beachfront vacations? Well, Guinea-Bissau is the VIP resort for these exclusive wildlife members: This West African country boasts around 100 islands that are home to rare saltwater hippos and nesting sea turtles.
Source => worlddata.info
7. Hit Tune of Independence
This beats the Fado out of them: Guinea-Bissau's national anthem, "Esta Ă a Nossa PĂĄtria Bem Amada," has been a hit tune for independence struggles since 1973, composed by Xiao He with lyrics by AmĂlcar Cabral, while Fado music sits on the sidelines â instead, the local charts touch a gumbe-tastic blend of tinga and kussundĂ©, fusing various traditional folk music styles.
Source => en.wikipedia.org
8. Birdwatching Paradise with Matriarchal Twist
If 'X' marks the spot for birdwatching treasure, then grab your binoculars and your pirate hat because we're off to an array of islands with a matriarchal twist: Guinea-Bissau's BijagĂłs Archipelago is not only a prime destination for feathery friends but also boasts a fascinating culture ruled by the wisdom of women.
Source => wwwnc.cdc.gov
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