Guinea-Bissau is a small West African country bordered by Senegal, Guinea, and the Atlantic Ocean. The country gained independence from Portugal in 1973 and has a population of approximately 1.8 million people. Some synonyms for Guinea-Bissau include "Republic of Guinea-Bissau," "Bissau-Guinean," and "Guinea-Bissauan." The official language of Guinea-Bissau is Portuguese, but Creole and other African languages are spoken as well. The country has a rich cultural heritage and is known for its music, dance, and crafts. Despite its natural beauty and resources, Guinea-Bissau faces significant challenges, including political instability, poverty, and drug trafficking.