Dialing code +224
ISO 2 code GN
ISO 3 code GIN
Capital Conakry
Main Language French
Currency Franc (GNF)
GDP $10.4 billion 144th
Population 10,324,025 81st

Geography

Continent Africa
Location Western Africa bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Land 245,857 km2 78th
Terrain Generally flat coastal plain hilly to mountainous interior
Climate Generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Natural Hazards Generally flat coastal plain hilly to mountainous interior
Note: The Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands

Neighbouring Countries

Guinea-Bissau Ivory Coast Liberia Mali Senegal Sierra Leone

History

Guinea has had a history of authoritarian rule since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after the death of the first president Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2003 though all the polls were marred by irregularities. History repeated itself in December 2008 when following President CONTE's death Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup seizing power and suspending the constitution as well as political and union activity. Guinea has maintained some semblance of internal stability despite spillover effects from conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As those countries have rebuilt however Guinea's own vulnerability to political and economic crisis has increased. Declining economic conditions and popular dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes in 2006 and a third nationwide strike in early 2007.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 57.09 years 172nd
Median Age 18.5 years 180th
Birth Rate 37.52 births/1,000 population 25th
Death Rate 11.0 births/1,000 population 45th
Sex Ratio 0.78 male(s)/female 98th
Literacy 29.5% 202nd
Population

10.3 million

Transportation

Roadways 44348 km 81st
Railways 1185 km 85th
Airports 17 138th
Waterways 1300 km 53rd
Heliports None
Airports paved 1 179th

Economy

Currency Franc (GNF)
GDP $10.4 billion 144th
GDP per capita (PPP) $1100 188th