The Republic of Guinea-Bissau, a former Portuguese overseas province on the west coast of Africa between Senegal and Guinea, has an area of 13,948 sq. mi. (36,125 sq. km.) and a population of 1.18 million. Capital: Bissau. The country has undeveloped deposits of oil and bauxite. Peanuts, palm oil kernels, and hides are exported. ,The African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau was founded in 1956, and several years later began a guerilla warfare that grew in effectiveness until 1974, when the rebels controlled most of the colony. Portugal?s costly overseas wars in her African territories resulted in a military coup in Portugal in April 1974, which appreciably brightened the prospects for freedom for Guinea-Bissau. In August 1974, the Lisbon government signed an agreement granting independence to Portuguese Guinea effective September 10, 1974. The new republic took the name of Guinea-Bissau.,, ,On January 1, 1997, Guinea-Bissau became a member of the West African States, and has issued CFA currency notes with the code letter ?S.? Refer to West African States listings.,, Rulers:,,, ,Portuguese until 1974,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Peso = 100 Centavos, 1975-1997,, ,1 Franc = 65 Pesos, 1997-,,