Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Guinea-Bissau

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Guinea-Bissau.

Terrain: mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east
Climate: tropical; generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Weather Patterns: http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/PUXX0001?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point: 300 — unnamed location in the northeast corner of the country 300 m
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources: Fish, timber, phosphates, bauxite, and offshore petroleum deposits. Guinea-Bissau's coastal and inland waterways support a rich fishing industry that remains one of the country's most significant economic assets, with fishing licenses sold to foreign fleets representing a key source of government revenue. The country's forests, though under pressure from illegal logging and agricultural encroachment, continue to provide timber resources of economic importance. Phosphate and bauxite deposits exist but remain largely underexploited due to limited infrastructure and investment. Offshore petroleum exploration has identified potentially viable hydrocarbon reserves, particularly in the maritime zones shared with Senegal, though commercial extraction has yet to be fully realized.
Natural Hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires

Current Environmental Issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing; overfishing
International Agreements: Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Signed, but not ratified: None of the selected agreements

Detailed geography