Guinea-Bissau: Flag and Facts
Guinea-Bissau's flag has an upright red band along the hoist, marked with a black star, next to a yellow stripe over a green stripe.
- Official name
- Republic of Guinea-Bissau
- Capital
- Bissau
- Region
- Western Africa
- Population
- 2.1 million (2024)
- Languages
- Portuguese, Upper Guinea Creole
- Currency
- West African CFA franc
- Area
- 36,125 km² (13,948 sq mi)
- People
- Guinea-Bissauan
- Calling code
- +245
- Highest point
- Dongol Ronde 277 m
- Independence
- 24 September 1973 (declared)
- National symbols
- black star
About Guinea-Bissau
Ghana's flag strongly shaped this design. Yellow is for the sun, green for hope, and red for blood shed winning independence. The black star means African unity.
For much of its past, the Kaabu Kingdom and the Mali Empire held the area. Portugal began building trading posts on the coast in the 16th century but at first could not move inland. The slave and gold trades paid well for local rulers, and Portuguese influence slowly crept further in. Mali and Kaabu broke apart starting in the 18th century, and by the 19th century Portugal had folded the land into its empire. Independence was declared on 24 September 1973 and recognized by Portugal on 10 September 1974. Off the coast lies the Bijagos archipelago, with 18 main islands.
Did you know?
- Dongol Ronde, the highest point, is just 277 meters tall.
- The median age in Guinea-Bissau is 18.5 years.
- The anthem's title means This is Our Beloved Country.
Want to test yourself? The random flag generator has a quiz mode, and the full flags of the world page shows every flag at once.
Questions about Guinea-Bissau
What languages are spoken in Guinea-Bissau?
Portuguese and Upper Guinea Creole.
What currency does Guinea-Bissau use?
The West African CFA franc.
Sources
- CIA World Factbook, checked October 8, 2026
- REST Countries data (mledoze/countries), checked October 8, 2026
- Flag artwork: flag-icons (MIT), checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.