Bolama Region
| Bolama | |
|---|---|
| Region | |
 |
|
 Bolama Region |
|
| Country | Guinea-Bissau |
| Seat | Bolama |
| Sectors | Bolama, Bubaque, Caravela |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2,624.4 km2 (1,013.3 sq mi) |
| Population (2009 census) | |
| • Total | 34,563 |
| • Density | 13/km2 (34/sq mi) |
| ISO 3166 code | GW-BL |
Coordinates: 11°20′N 16°5′W / 11.333°N 16.083°W
Bolama is an administrative region in Guinea-Bissau, consisting primarily of the Bijagós Archipelago of the country's southern coast, together with a small coastal strip centred on the coastal town of São João. It has an area of 2,624 km2. Its capital is Bolama, on the island of the same name. It is a coastal region covered with Mangrove swamps, rain forest and tangled forest and receives an annual rainfall of more than 1,000 mm (39 in).
As of 2009, the total population of the region was 32,424, with the urban population being 9,118 and rural being 23,306. The sex ratio of the region is 97 females for every hundred males. As of 2009, the net activity rate was 48.88 per cent, proportion of employed labour force was 33.32 per cent, proportion of labour force was 75.77 and the proportion of potentially active population was 33.32 per cent. The absolute poverty rate, people earning less than $2 a day, in the region stood at 51.6 per cent, with a regional contribution of 20.6 per cent to the national poverty totals.
Bolama is divided into three administrative sectors, Bolama, comprising the islands of Bolama and Galinhas, and some adjacent islands in the north-east of the region, together with the coastal strip; Bubaque, consisting of various islands including Bubaque, Orangozinho, Meneque, Orango, Soga, Rubane, Roxa and João Viera, all in the south of the Bijagós Archipelago; and Caravela, consisting of various islands including Caravela, Carache, Uno, Unhacomo, Uracane, Enu, Formosa, Ponta and Maio, all in the north-west of the Bijagós Archipelago. Guinea-Bissau got independence from Portugal on 24 September 1973 after wars and diplomatic political actions under the Partido Africano da Independência de Cabo Verde (PAICV), while Portugal accepted the independence of Cape Verde on 5 July 1975. PAICV ruled both the countries after independence. While international funds came pouring in for the economic development of the nation, the party was accused of misusing power in authoritarian manner. The one-party state mechanism was turbulent during the period of 1980s and 1990s with army taking control of power more frequently and the resultant civil war resulted in loss of property and lives. To decentralize power, an administrative region and eight regions were created. There has not been any local administration since the civil war of 1998-99 and all the social services are done by organs of civil society and other government agencies. There is minimal health and education services offered by the government and all the government departments have operated in a limited fashion. A transitional government was selected during 2003-4 with an adopted Public Transition Charter. The Military Committee appointed two civilians as interim President and Prime Minister. Elections were held for a five year term on 24 July 2005 with a multi party representation. There was a military coup in 2012, after which EU and international donations stopped. The latest elections were held during April 2014 with 13 Presidential candidates and representaiton from 15 parties. The elections were monitored by 550 international observers. Jose Mario Vaz and his party, won the Presidential and parliamentary elections against the military backed Nuno Gomes Nabiam.
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