Guinea-Bissau

A country of western Africa on the Atlantic Ocean. Populated by Fulani, Malinke, and other West African peoples, it was first visited by the Portuguese in the 15th century and later became a Portuguese colony (1879). After more than ten years of fighting by secessionist guerrillas, the country achieved independence in 1974. Bissau is the capital and the largest city. Population: 1,470,000.