Guinea Bissau

Guinea-Bissau is located in West Africa and is bounded by Senegal and the Republic of Guinea. It encompasses the adjacent Bijagós Islands and the island of Bolama. The country rises from a coastal plain broken up by numerous inlets through a transitional plateau to mountains on the border with Guinea. Thick forest and mangrove swamp cover the area nearest the Atlantic Ocean and savannah covers the inland areas. The capital, Bissau, is a relaxed and pleasant town of about 100,000 inhabitants. The Museum of African Artefacts is a treasure trove of traditional sculpture, pottery, weaving and basketware. Bolama, the original capital of Guinea-Bissau, is now an attractive ruin, and the island is worth seeing with good beaches. There is no accommodation, but camping is an option. Local specialities include jollof rice, chicken and fish dishes.