Bijagós Archipelago

Bijagós Archipelago, group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean belonging to Guinea-Bissau. The archipelago lies off the coast of Guinea-Bissau opposite the Gêba River estuary. They are separated from the mainland at Bissau by distances ranging from about 70 km (45 mi) to 150 km (95 mi). The Bijagós Archipelago includes 15 main islands and numerous smaller ones, and has a total area of 1,550 sq km (600 sq mi). Two of the chief islands are Eticoga and Formosa. The archipelago is volcanic in origin. It has fertile soil and a warm, humid climate. The local economy is based on subsistence farming and the production of palm products.

A Portuguese expedition reached the Bijagós in 1446. The islands later became part of the colony of Portuguese Guinea, which became the independent state of Guinea-Bissau in 1974. Population (1979) 25,713.