Bolama and Bijagos
information and impressions
Baby
Early 20th Century.
This region, once contested by the main colonial powers, experienced days of prosperity and glory, especially since it became the capital of Guinea, but in 1933 the "Eco-Charter of the Portuguese Colonial Empire" saw the change of capital from Bolama to Bissau, following which the relocation of numerous Offices and officials followed. It was during this period that the dramatic "draining" of the town of Bolama and consequently the entire island region began, a process or setback that continues to this day.
Das Bolama Bijagós Archipelago
The Bolama Bijagós Archipelago is one of the largest UNESCO biosphere reserves on earth. It consists of a total of 88 islands lying in the Atlantic off the coast of Guinea-Bissau.
The archipelago has the only active delta islands on the Atlantic coast of western Africa. The Wadden Sea is home to one of the largest populations of migratory shorebirds in the world. The influence of coastal upwelling and estuaries as well as the large mangrove areas support the reproduction and early growth of a variety of fish species. The area is home to the largest colony of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Africa and provides habitat for over 15 endangered species including the hippopotamus, West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis), Timneh parrot (Psittacus timneh), Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii ), leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and green turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea).
