Bijagós Archipelago Earns UNESCO World Heritage Status – Guinea-Bissau’s First
Bijagós Archipelago Earns UNESCO World Heritage Status – Guinea-Bissau’s First
The archipelago, spanning over 10,000 square kilometers and including 88 islands and islets, is home to endangered species such as:
🟠green and leatherback sea turtles,
🟠manatees,
🟠dolphins,
🟠over 870,000 migratory birds.
The island of Poilao serves as a major nesting ground for green turtles. Its vast network of mangroves, mudflats, and intertidal zones supports diverse marine and coastal life.
The region is a "rare coastal and marine ecosystem, where local communities have kept their traditions alive," UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said.
The designation follows more than a decade of efforts, including scientific research and community involvement. An earlier bid in 2012 was unsuccessful, but the renewed application strengthened the case for recognition. The archipelago has been a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1996.
According to a UNESCO spokesperson, the World Heritage designation will further protect the area and connect it to a broader global network of protected sites.
Footage by Hellio & van Ingen
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