Previously known as French Guinea, the Republic of Guinea is a West African country with an Atlantic Ocean coastline. Bordering countries include Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Liberia, and Sierre Leone. In order to avoid confusion with Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea, the country is sometimes referred to as Guinea-Conakry, Conakry being its capital city.
There are four defined geographic regions in Guinea. The Coastal Maritime region is characterized by mangrove swamps and rich soil plains with palm trees. The coastal belt is home to the Susu, one of the country's chief ethnic groups, as well as other smaller groups. Guinea's capital city, as well as the mining towns of Fria and Kamsar, are in this region.
The interior region is known as the Futa Jallon, which is a mountainous region with cooler temperatures. The Niger, Senegal, and Gambia rivers begin in the Futa Jallon, which includes several streams and waterfalls. The chief ethnic group in this region is the Fulbe, who are sometimes known as the Peul. Labé is the largest city in the Futa Jallon region, and its town of Timbo was the region's capital during the pre-colonial era.
East of the Futa Jallon is the Upper Guinea, a savannah region with plains and river valleys. The Milo and Niger rivers serve the region's transportation, irrigation, and fishing needs. The Maninka are this region's main ethnic group, and its chief cities are Siguiri and Kankan.
Guinea's southern region is the Forest Region, where rainfall is heavy, and there were dense forests of mahogany, teak, and ebony trees, although agriculture and a demand for hardwoods have begun a process of deforestation. This region has experienced a large rise in its population since the early 1990s, largely due to refugees from Liberia and Sierre Leone.
Aside from its native ethic groups, Guinea is home to several merchants and artisans from Senegal and other African countries, and a large number of Americans and Europeans live Guinea, largely in its capital city of Conakry and the mining towns of Fria, Kamsar, and Siguiri.
Although the first president of Guinea, following independence, abolished the use of French, its second president restored French as the official language of Guinea in 1985, although more than thirty ethnic languages are also considered official languages, and many Guineans speak more than one language. French is the language of Guinea's administration and educational system.
Islam is the chief religion of Guinea, with only about eight percent of its population practicing Christianity and about seven percent adhering to traditional African religions.
Literacy rates in Guinea are among the lowest in the world. Just over forty percent of its population are literate. Although six years of primary education is compulsory, most Guinean children do not attend school that long, and many don't attend school at all, as children, especially girls, are kept home to assist in domestic work and agriculture, and Guineans tend to marry young.
Most Guineans are employed in agriculture. Although rice is grown in the flooded areas between streams and rivers, Guineans consume more rice than the country produces. Other agricultural products include bananas, coffee beans, cucumbers, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pineapples, peppers, and potatoes. More recently introduced crops include apples, pears, pomegranates, and strawberries.
Guinea has approximately one-third of the world's bauxite deposits, which are mined in cooperation with international companies. Diamonds, gold, and iron ore are mined also, which brings revenue to the country but without employing many Guineans. Guinea has some light industry, but its underdeveloped transportation system has hampered growth in this area.
Until France colonized the region in the 1890s, the land that is now Guinea was on the fringe of a number of African empires. When the major West African empires failed, various kingdoms ruled Guinea, and it became an Islamic state in 1735. Coming to the area primarily for the slave trade, France negotiated Guinea's current boundaries with the British and Portuguese in the late 1800s, after which the region became French Guinea.
Guinea became an independent republic in 1958, and quickly aligned itself with the Soviet Union, becoming the People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea. Under its first president, the country was intolerant of dissent. Political opponents were arrested, executed, or exiled. A military coup took place in 1984, after which the government turned away from socialism, released political prisoners, and scheduled elections. This did not bring about long-term stability, however. The country has experienced other coups and political violence. Despite its natural resources, Guinea is a poor country, and political violence is common.
Recommended Resources
Compassion Evangelical Hospital
Incorporated as a not-for-profit in Michigan, the United States, the hospital, and clinic are located in Mamou, Guinea, West Africa, and staffed by Christian healthcare workers, Guineans, and other West Africans. Its organizational structure, an overview of the facilities, its services, and a map showing its location are put forth, along with photographs, contacts, and opportunities to contribute to its work.
http://www.cehguinea.org/
Formed in 2004, all members of the band were born or raised in Guinea, West Africa, although the band currently plays in hotels and bars in The Gambia. A profile of the band is set forth, along with its instruments, all of which are from Guinea. Reviews of the band’s music are presented, along with sound samples, and information on ordering their CD, including a purchase guarantee.
http://www.listenall.com/guinea_c.html
The Republic of Guinea is sometimes referred to as Guinea Conakry, to differentiate it from other African countries with similar names. A profile of the country, its strengths, weaknesses, electricity resources, elections, and budgets are outlined, along with information about poverty and hunger, education, child mortality, maternal health, gender equality, and other concerns are included.
https://guineaconakry.weebly.com/
HMC is a medical and surgical center in the village of N’Zao, in southeastern Guinea, West Africa. The 22-bed hospital, medical clinic, and dental clinic was opened in 2003, closed in 2006 for training and expansion purposes, and reopened in 2007. Its history, mission, services, goals, and chief medical issues are outlined, its medical teams are acknowledged, and information about assisting its work are set forth.
https://hopeguinea.org/
U.S. Department of State: Guinea
The United States Department of State offers a profile of the West Africa country of Guinea, including a map showing the location of the country and its chief cities. The US ambassador to Guinea is introduced, along with a bilateral relations fact sheet, travel warnings, and advisories, passport and visa information, career opportunities, per diem rates, and embassy press releases.
http://www.state.gov/p/af/ci/gv/
Located in Conakry, Republic of Guinea, embassy personnel offer a variety of services to American citizens in Guinea, West Africa, including safety and security messages, assisting in visa and passport difficulties, and other assistance services. The embassy may also assist US businesses doing business in Guinea or vice versa, as well as with educational opportunities in the United States.
https://gn.usembassy.gov/
An overview of the Republic of Guinea, West Africa is presented by the United States Central Intelligence Agency, including a map showing its location and that of its major cities, its geographical features, governmental structure, a demographic profile, ethnic groups, and languages spoken in Guinea, and information about its economy, communications, and transportation infrastructure.
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/pu.html
