Guinea Map

Introduction   People   History   Culture   Life   Land   Animal   Economy   Language   Politics   Government   Education   Defence   Time   Currency   Communications   Organization   Provinces   Disputes  
Guinea    Introduction Back to Top

Guinea, Republic of, formerly People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea, independent nation in western Africa, bounded on the north-west by Guinea-Bissau and Senegal; on the north-east by Mali; on the east and south-east by Côte d'Ivoire; on the south by Liberia and Sierra Leone; and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. A former French colony, Guinea became independent on October 2, 1958. The total area of the country, including the Iles de Los lying off the coast, near Conakry, the capital, is 245,857 sq km (94,926 sq mi).

Official Name- Republic of Guinea
Capital City -Conakry
Population- 7,610,000
Languages -French (official), and local dialects
Official Currency -Guinea Franc
Religions- Muslim, others
Land Area -245,860 sq km (94,926 sq miles)
Guinea    Provinces Back to Top

33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou.

Guinea    People Back to Top

Besides the diplomatic community and a growing number of expatriate teachers and technical advisers, the number of non-Guinean residents has increased considerably since 1984. This community includes Lebanese and Syrian traders and a growing number of French engaged in agriculture, business, and technical occupations.

The ethnic makeup of the people of Guinea is diverse. The most numerous of the groups (about 35 percent of the population) are the Fulani, who are concentrated mainly in the Fouta Djallon. The other principal groups comprise people of the Mande group. They include the Mandinka (also known as Mandingo or Malinke) (about 30 percent) of northeastern Guinea and the Susu (about 20 percent), who inhabit the coastal area. According to the 1983 census, the population of Guinea was 5,781,014. The estimated population in 2001 was 7,613,870, giving an overall population density of 31 persons per sq km (80 per sq mi). Some 68 percent of the population live in rural areas. The capital is Conakry, a seaport on the Atlantic Ocean. Other major cities are the railroad centers Kankan and Kindia.

Guinea    History Back to Top

Parts of northern and eastern Guinea were within the empires of Mali and Songhai, and the ruling classes among the Mandinka population were early introduced to Islam. The spread of Islam throughout Guinea was largely a result of the missionary activities of the Torobde clan of the Fulani, a pastoralist people, who established a theocratic state in highland areas of the Fouta Djallon in the early 18th century. By the mid-19th century, continual Islamic proselytizing had converted most of the population with the exception of those living in the Mossi states, who resisted and retained their animistic beliefs. In the 1880s Samory Touré, a Mandinka adventurer, used modern weapons to seize control over much of the interior.

Hunting and gathering populations occupied the area of Guinea at least 30,000 years ago, and farming has been practiced there for about 3,000 years. About 1,000 years ago Susu and Malinke (Maninka) people began to encroach on the Baga, Koniagi (Coniagui), and Nalu (Nalou) populations who had been living in the area for more than 1,000 years. The towns and villages of Upper Guinea were incorporated into the Mali empire from the mid-13th century, and by the 16th century the Fulani (Fulbe) had established domination over the Fouta Djallon. The Portuguese presence on the coast dates from the 15th century, and the slave trade continued to affect Guinea until the mid-19th century. British and French trading interests on the coast played minor roles in the historical evolution of the Guinean interior until the almamy (ruler) of Fouta Djallon placed his country under French protection in 1881. The independent Malinke state ruled by Samory Touré resisted the French military until 1898, and isolated small groups of Africans continued to resist the French until the end of World War I.

Once independent, Guinea turned to the Eastern European countries for assistance. Touré established a one-party state and imposed a strict socialist system. In 1961 Guinea joined with Ghana and Mali in the Union of African States, a loose federation that lasted only two years. After surviving several assassination attempts, Touré accused French officials of plotting his overthrow and broke off relations with France in November 1965. Guinea’s relations with Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Senegal, and Burkina Faso continued to be stormy until 1978. Touré’s self-imposed diplomatic isolation and ill-planned economic ventures bankrupted the state and forced him to begin liberalizing the government.

Guinea    Culture Back to Top

Until 1984 artistic and literary expressions were limited largely to African themes by the single political party and its leader. As a result Guinean intellectuals exhibit a strong sense of nationalism and a decolonialized state of mind. As greater openness of expression returns, a distinctly Guinean literature is gradually emerging. A truly autonomous free press has yet to emerge as a major force in Guinean life. One French-language newspaper, Horoya, formerly controlled by the PDG, is published. A number of informal newsletters are also published in indigenous languages. A television service was begun in 1977, and transmissions continue on an irregular basis for short periods each day.

The telephone network is limited and obsolescent; the few telephones in service are almost all in Conakry and other major urban centres. A program to upgrade the telecommunications system was implemented in the late 1980s. The professional National Guinean Ballet, which emerged after independence, has retained some of the dance and music of the distinct ethnic and regional groups. Creative accomplishments in modern dance and popular music have given Guinean musicians and singers an international reputation.

Handicrafts in Guinea, as elsewhere in Africa, declined sharply during the colonial era with competition from manufactured consumer goods. The lack of tourism and creative marketing since independence has limited the amount of change and innovation in local crafts, so that the leatherwork, wood carving, and jewelry produced in Guinea tend to be more genuinely ethnic than elsewhere in western Africa.

Guinea    Life Back to Top

The four major geographic regions largely correspond to the areas inhabited by the major linguistic groups. In Lower Guinea the major language of Susu has gradually replaced many of the other indigenous languages and is a lingua franca for most of the coastal population. In the Fouta Djallon the major language is Pular (a dialect of Fulfulde, the language of the Fulani), while in Upper Guinea the Malinke (Maninkakan) language is the most widespread. The Forest Region contains the linguistic areas, from east to west, of Kpelle (Guerzé), Loma (Toma), and Kissi.

Guinea    Land Back to Top

There are four geographic regions: Lower Guinea, the Fouta Djallon, Upper Guinea, and the Forest Region. Lower Guinea includes the coast and coastal plain. The coast has undergone recent marine submergence and is marked by rias, or drowned river valleys, that form inlets and tidal estuaries. Numerous offshore islands are remnants of former hills. Immediately inland the gently rolling coastal plain rises to the east, being broken by rocky spurs of the Fouta Djallon highlands in the north at Cape Verga and in the south at the Kaloum Peninsula. Between 30 and 50 miles (48 and 80 kilometres) wide, the plain is wider in the south than the north. Its base rocks of granite and gneiss (coarse-grained rock containing bands of minerals) are covered with laterite (red soil with a high content of iron oxides and aluminum hydroxide) and sandstone gravel.

Guinea    Plants and Animal Back to Top

The vegetation of Guinea varies considerably. Dense mangrove forests abound along the coast and the riverbanks. The Fouta Djallon, which has been subject to extensive burning, is covered with sedge. The higher plateau areas have dense forests. Upper Guinea is characterized by savanna woodland. Trees include the shea and the tamarind. The Guinea highlands are characterized by dense rain forests. Animal life is abundant and varied. Snakes and crocodiles are common, and numerous species of tropical birds abound, including parrots and touracos. Mammals include leopard, hippopotamus, wild boar, antelope, and civet.

Guinea    Economy Back to Top

The chief economic activity of Guinea is agriculture; some 87 percent of the people are dependent on subsistence farming, forestry, and fishing. The principal food crops and their production in 2000 were rice (750,000 metric tons); root crops such as cassava (1.06 million metric tons); fruits such as plantains and citrus (996,078 metric tons); and vegetables (476,000). Chief export crops are typically pineapples, peanuts, palm kernels, and coffee. Livestock in 2000 included 2.4 million cattle, 687,000 sheep, 864,000 goats, and 8.9 million poultry.

Guinea has from one-third to one-half of the world's known reserves of bauxite, plus significant reserves of high-grade iron ore at Mount Nimba and the Simandou Mountains. Alluvial gold is taken from the Niger and its tributaries, and diamond production is substantial and largely of gem-quality stones. The southeastern rain forest has some valuable species of tropical hardwoods, and both river and ocean fisheries yield large catches of food fish. Hydroelectric potential is considerable because of the high rainfall and deep gorges of the Fouta Djallon but has been only partially developed, largely to meet the demands of the alumina sector.

Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains a poor underdeveloped nation. The country possesses over 30% of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for about 75% of exports in 1999. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. The government made encouraging progress in budget management in 1997-99, and reform progress was praised in the World Bank/IMF October 2000 assessment. However, escalating fighting along the Sierra Leonean and Liberian borders will cause major economic disruptions. In addition to direct defense costs, the violence has led to a sharp decline in investor confidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff, while panic buying has created food shortages and inflation in local markets. Real GDP growth is expected to fall to 2% in 2001.

Guinea    Communications Back to Top

Poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat

Guinea    Languages Back to Top

About 85 percent of the population of Guinea is Muslim; the remainder is split between those who adhere to traditional beliefs and Christians. French is the official language. The country has eight national languages: Mandinka (also known as Mandingo and Malinke), Susu, Fulfulde, Kissi, Basari, Loma, Koniagi, and Kpelle.

Guinea    Politics Back to Top

Democratic Party of Guinea or PDG-AST [Marcel CROS]; Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; National Union for Progress or UNP [Paul Louis FABER]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP [Lansana CONTE] - the governing party; Party for Renewal and Progress or PRP [Siradiou DIALLO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for the New Republic or UNR [Mamadou Boye BA]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE].

Guinea    Government Back to Top

Under the 1982 constitution, a president, elected by universal suffrage to a seven-year term, was chief of state, the government, and the armed forces. The unicameral National Assembly, consisting of 210 members, was chosen by popular vote from a single slate of candidates from the country’s sole political party, the Democratic Party of Guinea. After a military coup in April 1984, this party was outlawed, the constitution suspended, and the parliament dissolved. Guinea was then ruled by a president as head of the 17-member Military Committee for National Rectification. In 1990 a new constitution was approved in a national referendum. It authorized a transitional government to oversee the change to a two-party, civilian system with a unicameral legislature of 114 seats and universal adult suffrage. In 1992 amendments authorized an unlimited number of political parties. Presidential elections were held late in 1993; legislative elections, after being postponed several times, took place in 1995.

Guinea    organization Back to Top
International organization Member

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO.

Guinea    Education Back to Top

Education is free and officially compulsory for all children between the ages of 7 and 13, but in 1997 only 54 percent of eligible children actually attended primary school; the enrollment ratio dropped to 14 percent for secondary schools. The adult literacy rate is 41 percent. Private schools were nationalized by 1962. Higher education is provided by universities at Conakry and Kankan and by 21 other institutions.

Guinea    Defence Back to Top

Military branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary
National Gendarmerie, National Police Force (Surete National)
Military manpower - availability: males age 15-49: 1,764,912 (2001 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service: males age 15-49: 891,166 (2001 est.)

Guinea    International Disputes Back to Top

Border incursions by Revolutionary United Front combatants from Sierra Leone; civil war in that country has engendered a massive flow of refugees to southern Guinea and Liberia.



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Guinea    Time Back to Top
Live Time and Date ( Click Here )
Guinea    Currency and General Information Back to Top
Guinea Francs United States Dollars
1.00 GNF 0.000509944 USD
1,961.00 GNF 1 USD

Countries Currency Unit USD/Unit Units/USD
DZD Algeria Dinars 0.0129554 77.1877
USD United States Dollars 1.00000 1.00000
ARS Argentina Pesos 0.341293 2.93004
AUD Australia Dollars 0.533413 1.87472
ATS Austria Schillings ** 0.0632609 15.8076
BSD Bahamas Dollars 1.00000 1.00000
BBD Barbados Dollars 0.502513 1.99000
BEF Belgium Francs ** 0.0215788 46.3417
BMD Bermuda Dollars 1.00000 1.00000
BRL Brazil Reals 0.430318 2.32386
GBP United Kingdom Pounds 1.42399 0.702251
BGL Bulgaria Leva 0.447293 2.23567
CAD Canada Dollars 0.627606 1.59336
CLP Chile Pesos 0.00152392 656.202
CNY China Yuan Renminbi 0.120813 8.27726
CYP Cyprus Pounds 1.49883 0.667186
CZK Czech Republic Koruny 0.0281883 35.4758
DKK Denmark Kroner 0.117155 8.53568
XCD East Caribbean Dollars 0.370370 2.70000
EGP Egypt Pounds 0.217271 4.60255
EUR Euro 0.870489 1.14878
FJD Fiji Dollars 0.447227 2.23600
FIM Finland Markkaa ** 0.146406 6.83034
FRF France Francs ** 0.132705 7.53550
DEM Germany Deutsche Marks ** 0.445074 2.24682
XAU Gold Ounces 301.977 0.00331151
GRD Greece Drachmae ** 0.00255463 391.447
HKD Hong Kong Dollars 0.128215 7.79939
HUF Hungary Forint 0.00358416 279.006
ISK Iceland Kronur 0.00999868 100.013
INR India Rupees 0.0205205 48.7319
IDR Indonesia Rupiahs 0.000102055 9,798.61
IEP Ireland Pounds ** 1.10529 0.904738
ILS Israel New Shekels 0.212386 4.70841
ITL Italy Lire ** 0.000449570 2,224.35
JMD Jamaica Dollars 0.0210041 47.6099
JPY Japan Yen 0.00754183 132.594
JOD Jordan Dinars 1.41057 0.708931
LBP Lebanon Pounds 0.000660937 1,513.00
LUF Luxembourg Francs ** 0.0215788 46.3417
MYR Malaysia Ringgits 0.263330 3.79751
MXN Mexico Pesos 0.111007 9.00848
NZD New Zealand Dollars 0.440474 2.27028
NOK Norway Kroner 0.113022 8.84780
NLG Netherlands Guilders ** 0.395011 2.53158
PKR Pakistan Rupees 0.0166945 59.9000
PHP Philippines Pesos 0.0196386 50.9202
XPT Platinum Ounces 510.962 0.00195709
PLN Poland Zlotych 0.243488 4.10699
PTE Portugal Escudos ** 0.00434198 230.310
ROL Romania Lei 0.0000303433 32,956.21
RUR Russia Rubles 0.0321342 31.1195
SAR Saudi Arabia Riyals 0.266668 3.74998
XAG Silver Ounces 4.65692 0.214734
SGD Singapore Dollars 0.542540 1.84318
SKK Slovakia Koruny 0.0208441 47.9751
ZAR South Africa Rand 0.0883340 11.3207
KRW South Korea Won 0.000759354 1,316.91
ESP Spain Pesetas ** 0.00523174 191.141
XDR IMF Special Drawing Rights 1.24862 0.800882
SDD Sudan Dinars 0.00384615 260.000
SEK Sweden Kronor 0.0964189 10.3714
CHF Switzerland Francs 0.593789 1.68410
TWD Taiwan New Dollars 0.0286531 34.9002
THB Thailand Baht 0.0230087 43.4619
TTD Trinidad and Tobago Dollars 0.163399 6.12000
TRL Turkey Liras 0.000000763622 1,309,549.07
VEB Venezuela Bolivares 0.00108696 920.000
ZMK Zambia Kwacha 0.000239866 4,169.00

Guinea : Geographic coordinates 11 00 N, 10 00 W
Guinea : Population growth rate 1.96%
Guinea : Birth rate 39.78 births/1,000 population
Guinea : Death rate 17.53 deaths/1,000 population
Guinea : People living with HIV/AIDS 55,000
Guinea : Independence 2 October 1958
Guinea : National holiday Independence Day, 2 October
Guinea : Constitution 23 December 1990
Guinea : GDP purchasing power parity - $10 billion
Guinea : GDP - per capita purchasing power parity - $1,300
Guinea : Electricity - consumption 697.5 million kWh
Guinea : Exports $820 million bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products
Guinea : Imports $634 million petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
Guinea : Telephones 20,000
Guinea : Mobile cellular 2,868
Guinea : Radio broadcast stations AM 4, FM 8, shortwave 3
Guinea : Radios 357,000
Guinea : Television broadcast stations 6
Guinea : Televisions 85,000
Guinea : Internet country code .gn
Guinea : Internet Service Providers (ISPs) 1
Guinea : Internet users 5000
Guinea : Railways 1,086 km
Guinea : Highways 30,500 km
Guinea : Waterways 1,295 km
Guinea : Pipelines N/A
Guinea : Ports and harbors Boke, Conakry, Kamsar
Guinea : Merchant marine N/A
Guinea : Airports 15
Guinea : Heliports N/A
Guinea : Military branches Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary National Gendarmerie, National Police Force
Guinea : Military expenditures $56 million