Guinea Bissau Regions and Capitals List

Written and Fact-checked by | Last Updated On: May 27, 2026

Guinea-Bissau is divided into eight regions, also known as "regiões" in Portuguese. Here are the names of the regions in Guinea-Bissau:

Guinea-Bissau is a small West African country bordered by Senegal, Guinea, and the Atlantic Ocean. The country is divided into 8 regions and 1 autonomous sector, and those divisions are further divided into sectors for local administration. Bissau is the national capital and also the largest city in Guinea-Bissau.

The country includes coastal mangroves, tropical forests, river estuaries, and the Bijagós Islands off the Atlantic coast. Some regions are heavily connected to fishing and port trade, while inland areas depend more on farming, cashew production, and river transport.

Key Facts

  • National capital: Bissau
  • Total population: 2,153,000 (Official estimate 2024)
  • Total area: 36,125 km² (13,948 sq miles)
  • Currency: West African CFA Franc (CFA, XOF)
  • Bordering countries: Senegal, Guinea
  • Total Regions and Autonomous Sector: 9
  • Total Sectors: 35+

List of Regions and Capitals of Guinea-Bissau

Total administrative divisions shown: 9 | Combined population: 2,153,000 | Combined area: 36,125 km²

#Region NameCapital CityRegionArea (km²)Population (Latest Census)
1BafatáBafatáEastern Guinea-Bissau5,981260,000
2BiomboQuinhámelWestern Coast838125,000
3Bissau Autonomous SectorBissauCapital Region78650,000
4BolamaBolamaBijagós Islands2,62442,000
5CacheuCacheuNorthern Coast5,174240,000
6GabúGabúEastern Interior9,150320,000
7OioFarimCentral Guinea-Bissau5,403310,000
8QuinaraBubaSouthern Coast3,13895,000
9TombaliCatióSouthern Guinea-Bissau3,739111,000

Largest Regions by Area

  • Gabú - 3,533 sq mi (9,150 km²)
  • Bafatá - 2,309 sq mi (5,981 km²)
  • Oio - 2,086 sq mi (5,403 km²)
  • Cacheu - 1,998 sq mi (5,174 km²)
  • Tombali - 1,444 sq mi (3,739 km²)
  • Quinara - 1,211 sq mi (3,138 km²)
  • Bolama - 1,013 sq mi (2,624 km²)
  • Biombo - 324 sq mi (838 km²)

Most Populous Regions

  • Bissau Autonomous Sector - Population: 650,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Gabú - Population: 320,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Oio - Population: 310,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Bafatá - Population: 260,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Cacheu - Population: 240,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Biombo - Population: 125,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Tombali - Population: 111,000 (Official Estimate 2024)
  • Quinara - Population: 95,000 (Official Estimate 2024)

Smallest Regions by Area

  • Bissau Autonomous Sector - 30 sq mi (78 km²)
  • Biombo - 324 sq mi (838 km²)
  • Bolama - 1,013 sq mi (2,624 km²)
  • Quinara - 1,211 sq mi (3,138 km²)
  • Tombali - 1,444 sq mi (3,739 km²)
  • Cacheu - 1,998 sq mi (5,174 km²)

Regions by Regional Grouping

  • Capital Region: Bissau Autonomous Sector
  • Western Coast: Biombo
  • Northern Coast: Cacheu
  • Southern Coast: Quinara
  • Bijagós Islands: Bolama
  • Central Guinea-Bissau: Oio
  • Eastern Guinea-Bissau: Bafatá
  • Eastern Interior: Gabú
  • Southern Guinea-Bissau: Tombali

Landlocked Regions

  • Bafatá
  • Gabú
  • Oio

Regions with Coastline

  • Biombo
  • Bissau Autonomous Sector
  • Bolama
  • Cacheu
  • Quinara
  • Tombali

Regions Sharing Borders with Other Countries

  • Senegal: Cacheu, Oio
  • Guinea: Bafatá, Gabú, Tombali

Sources

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