Flag of Guinea
Background:
Independent from France since 1958, Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. Lansana CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998. Unrest in Sierra Leone has spilled over into Guinea, threatening stability and creating a humanitarian emergency.
Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country possesses over 30% of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second largest bauxite producer. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty.
.
(Source: CIA - The World Factbook)
border countries:
Côte d'Ivoire
,
Guinea-Bissau
,
Liberia
,
Mali
,
Senegal
,
Sierra Leone
related countries:
France
|
Official Name:
Republic of Guinea
conventional short form: Guinea
local short form: Guinee
former: French Guinea
local long form: Republique de Guinee
ISO Country Code:
gn
Actual Time:
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
Local Time = UTC+0h
Capital City:
Conakry
(pop. 1.5 million).
Other Cities:
Guéckédou (pop. 350,000), Boké (pop. 300,000), Kindia (pop. 300,000), N'Zérékoré (pop. 300,000), Macenta (pop. 280,000), Mamou, Kankan, Faranah, Siguiri, Dalaba, Labe, Pita, Kamsar
Government:
Type: Republic.
Independence: October 2, 1958. Anniversary of the Second Republic, April 3, 1984.
Government based on ordinances, decrees, and decisions issued by a president and his ministers or through legislation produced by the National Assembly and approved by the President.
Geography:
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Area: 245,860 sq. km. (95,000 sq. mi.)
Terrain: Generally flat along the coast and mountainous in the interior. The country's four geographic regions include a narrow coastal belt; pastoral highlands (the source of West Africa's major rivers); the northern savanna; and the southeastern rain forest.
Climate:
Tropical. Generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
People:
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Guinean(s)
Population (2002 est.): 7,775,000, including refugees and foreign residents. Refugee population (June 2001 est.): 180,000-200,000 Liberians and Sierra Leoneans.
Ethnic groups: Fulani 40.3%; Malinke 25.8%; Susu 11.0%; Kissi 6.5%; Kpelle 4.8%, other ethnic groups 11.6%.
Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, traditional beliefs 7%.
Languages: French (official), national languages.
Literacy (Total population over age 15 that can read and write, 1996 est.)--36% (male 50%, female 22%).
Natural resources:
Bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, water power, uranium, fisheries.
Currency:
Guinea Franc (GNF)
|