Guinea

Republic of GuineaRepublique de Guinee

republicIndependence 2 October 1958 (from France)

Guinea as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 84 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalConakry

Position11 00 N, 10 00 W

Area245,860 sq km

LocationWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean,

Populationas each edition published it

7.41 million July 1996 est. · 7.27m in 1990

Population growth% a year

1.85% 1996 est. · 2.46% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 17.7 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

45.06 years 1996 est. · 43.68 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

5.72 children per woman 1996 est. · 6.1 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

134.1 deaths per 1,000 live births 1996 est. · 147 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$1,020 1995 est. · $410 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

4% 1995 est. · 4.3% in 1993

Geography

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, | between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone

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Land useshare of 245,860 sq km

arable land 6%permanent crops 0%meadows and pastures 12%forest and woodland 42%other 40%irrigated 240 sq km (1989 est.)

Area

245,860sq km

land area: 245,860 sq kmcomparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon

Coastline

320km

exclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Land boundaries

3,399km

border countries: Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone

Climate

generally hot and humid;
monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds;
dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

Terrain

generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior

lowest point:: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:: Mont Nimba 1,752 m

Natural resources

bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish

Environment

current issues:: deforestation;
inadequate supplies of potable water;
desertification;
soil contamination and erosion;
overfishing
natural hazards:: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
international agreements:: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands;
signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Hazardous Wastes

People

15 fields

Population

7,411,981

(July 1996 est.)growth rate: 1.85% (1996 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1996 est.)

Birth

42.59Death

18.71Net migration

-5.4

Net migration: note: in prior years Guinea received several hundred thousand refugees from the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, many of whom are now returning to their own countries

Male · female(1996 est.)

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years45.06

42.73 · 47.47

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy35.9%

49.9% · 21.9%

MaleFemaleLiteracy age 15 and over can read and write (1995 est.)

Ethnic divisions

Peuhl 40%Malinke 30%Soussou 20%smaller tribes 10%

Religions

Muslim 85%Christian 8%indigenous beliefs 7%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 44% (male 1,632,414; female 1,637,007)
15-64 years:: 53% (male 1,928,586; female 2,013,343)
65 years and over:: 3% (male 84,005; female 116,626) (July 1996 est.)

-5.4 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.) note: in prior years Guinea received several hundred thousand refugees from the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, many of whom are now returning to their own countries

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.96 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.72 male(s)/female
all ages:: 0.97 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate

134.1 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.72 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Guinean(s)
adjective:: Guinean

Languages

French (official), each tribe has its own language

Government

Republic

20 fields

Legislature, 114 seatsone dot, one seat

PUP 71RPG 19PRP 9UNR 9UPG 2PDG 1UNP 1PDG/RDA 1other 1

Name of country

conventional long form:: Republic of Guinea
conventional short form:: Guinea
local long form:: Republique de Guinee
local short form:: Guinee
former:: French Guinea

Data code

Type of government

republic

Capital

Conakry

Administrative divisions

33 administrative regions (regions administratives, singular - region administrative);
Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, 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

Independence

2 October 1958 (from France)

National holiday

Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April (1984)

Constitution

23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)

Legal system

based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree;
legal codes currently being revised;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state and head of government:: President Lansana CONTE, elected in the first multiparty election 19 December 1993 (president must be elected by a majority of the votes cast);
prior to the election he had ruled as head of military government since 5 April 1984
cabinet:: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president

Legislative branch

unicameral People's National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale Populaire): the People's National Assembly was dissolved after the 3 April 1984 coup;
framework established in December 1991 for a new National Assembly with 114 seats;
legislative elections were held on 11 June 1995;
results - percent of vote by party NA;
seats - (114 total) PUP 71, RPG 19, PRP 9, UNR 9, UPG 2, PDG 1, UNP 1, PDG/RDA 1, other 1

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel)

Political parties and leaders

political parties were legalized on 1 April 1992;
of the more than 40 with legal status, the following won seats in the legislature in the 11 June 1995 elections

pro-government:: Party for Unity and Progress (PUP)
other:: Rally for the Guinean People (RPG), Alpha CONDE; Union for a New Republic (UNR), Mamadou BAH; Party for Renewal and Progress (PRP), Siradiou DIALLO; Union for Progress of Guinea (UPG), Secretary-General Jean-Marie DORE; Democratic Party of Guinea (DPG), Ahmed Sekou TOURE; National Union for the Prosperity of Guinea (UNPG), Lt.Col. Facine TOURE, leader; Democratic Party of Guinea (PDG), El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN, leader

International organization participation

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

Diplomatic representation in US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Bangoura Mahawa CAMARA
chancery:: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:: [1] (202) 483-9420

FAX

[1] (202) 483-8688

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission:: Ambassador Joseph A. SALOOM III
embassy:: Rue KA 038, Conakry
mailing address:: B. P. 603, Conakry
telephone:: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23

FAX

[224] 44 15 22

Flag

three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green;
uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia;
similar to the flag of Rwanda, which has a large black letter R centered in the yellow band

Economy

Although possessing major mineral, hydropower, | and agricultural resources, Guinea remains one of the poorest | countries in the world.

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GDP per capita, PPP

$1,020

(1995 est.)

Real growth rate

(1995 est.)industrial production growth: NA%

Inflation, consumer prices

4.1%

(1994 est.)

Labor force

2.4million

(1983)by occupation: agriculture 80.0%, industry and commerce 11.0%, services 5.4%, civil service 3.6%

GDP composition by sector(1995 est.)

agriculture 24%industry 31%services 45% (1995 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$449 millionExpenditures

$708 million (1990 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $361 million

Installed generating capacity, 180,000 kW

Electricity production

520 millionElectricity consumption per capita

77 (1993)

Economic overview

Although possessing major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The agricultural sector employs 80% of the work force. Guinea possesses over 25% of the world's bauxite reserves. The mining sector accounted for 85% of exports in 1991.

Long-run improvements in literacy, financial institutions, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Except in the bauxite industry, foreign investment remains minimal.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $6.5 billion (1995 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Industries

bauxite, gold, diamonds;
alumina refining;
light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries

Agriculture

rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes;
cattle, sheep, goats;
timber

Exports

$562 million (1994 est.)

commodities:: bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, pineapples, bananas, palm kernels
partners:: US 23%, Belgium 12%, Ireland 12%, Spain 12%

Imports

$688 million (1994 est.)

commodities:: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
partners:: France 26%, Cote d'Ivoire 12%, Hong Kong 6%, Germany 6%

External debt

$3.02 billion (1994)

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $NA

Currency

1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates

Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 - 995.3 (August 1995), 976.6 (1994), 955.5 (1993), 902.0 (1992), 753.9 (1991)

note: the official exchange rate of the Guinean franc was set and quoted weekly against the US dollar until end-October 1993; since 1 November 1994,

the exchange rate is determined in the interbank market for foreign exchange

Fiscal year

calendar year

Transportation

6 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 14 in all

over 3 047 m

2 438 to 3 047 m

1 524 to 2 437 m

under 914 m

914 to 1 523 m

PavedUnpaved

Networkskm

Highways

29,750Railways

1,086

Highways: paved: 4,490 km · unpaved: 25,260 km (1991 est.) · Railways: standard gauge: 279 km 1.435-m gauge · narrow gauge: 807 km 1.000-m gauge; note - includes 662 km in common carrier service from Kankan to Conakry

Railways

total:: 1,086 km
standard gauge:: 279 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge:: 807 km 1.000-m gauge; note - includes 662 km in common carrier service from Kankan to Conakry

Highways

total:: 29,750 km
paved:: 4,490 km
unpaved:: 25,260 km (1991 est.)

Waterways

1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft

Ports

Boke, Conakry, Kamsar

Merchant marine

none

Communications

Army, Navy (acts primarily as a coast guard), Air Force, | Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, paramilitary National | Gendarmerie, National Police Force (Surete National)

9 fields

Fixed lines

18,000

(1994 est.)