About 98% of Guinea-Bissau's people come from indigenous ethnic groups. The largest is the southern Balante, who form almost one-third of the population. Mixed-race "mestiτo" and European minorities make up just 2% of the population. Although small in number, the "mestiτos" û many of whom derive from Cape Verde, Portugal's other former West African colony û still dominate the bureaucracy and the top ranks of the PAIGC. RESENTMENT AT THIS, ESPECIALLY AMONG THE BALANTE WHO PROVIDED MOST OF THE PAIGC TROOPS IN THE INDEPENDENCE WAR, WAS ONE CAUSE OF THE 1980 COUP. THE MAJORITY OF THE POPULATION LIVES AND WORKS ON SMALL FAMILY FARMS, GROUPED IN SELF-CONTAINED VILLAGES. THE BULK OF THE URBAN POPULATION LIVES IN THE CAPITAL, BISSAU.
