Guinea

Republic of GuineaRepublique de Guinee

republicIndependence 2 October 1958 (from France)

Guinea as the 2004 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 119 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
Area245,857 sq km
LocationWestern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
2004

Every edition of Guinea

Populationas each edition published it
9.25 million July 2004 est. · 7.27m in 1990
Population growth% a year
2.37% 2004 est. · 2.46% in 1993
Median ageyears
17.7 years 2004 est. · 17.7 yrs in 2003
Life expectancyyears at birth
49.7 years 2004 est. · 43.68 yrs in 1993
Fertility ratechildren per woman
5.87 children per woman 2004 est. · 6.1 in 1990
Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births
91.82 deaths per 1,000 live births 2004 est. · 147 in 1990
GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars
$2,100 2003 est. · $410 in 1993
GDP real growth% a year
3% 2003 est. · 4.3% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Guinea has had only two presidents 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. Unrest in Sierra Leone and Liberia has spilled over into Guinea on several occasions over the past decade, threatening stability and creating humanitarian emergencies.

Geography

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

18 fields

Land useshare of 245,857 sq km

arable land 3.63%permanent crops 2.58%other 93.79% (2001)irrigated 950 sq km (1998 est.)
Area
245,857sq km
land: 245,857 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmslightly smaller than Oregon
Coastline
320km
territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Highest point
1,752m
Mont Nimbalowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
Land boundaries
3,399km
border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 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

Geographic coordinates

11 00 N, 10 00 W

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

Natural resources

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

Natural hazards

hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season

Environment - current issues

  • deforestation;
  • inadequate supplies of potable water;
  • desertification;
  • soil contamination and erosion;
  • overfishing, overpopulation in forest region;
  • poor mining practices have led to environmental damage

Environment - international agreements

party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements

Geography - note

the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands

People

19 fields
Population
9,246,462
(July 2004 est.)growth rate: 2.37% (2004 est.)

Per 1,000 population

Birth
42.26 (2004 est.)Death
15.53 (2004 est.)Net migration
-3.06
Net migration: note: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is host to approximately 150,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees (2004 est.)

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (2004 est.)49.7
48.45 · 50.99Infant mortality deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)91.82
97.3 · 86.18
TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1995 est.)35.9%
49.9% · 21.9%Median age years (2004 est.)17.7
17.4 · 17.9
MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

Peuhl 40%Malinke 30%Soussou 20%smaller ethnic groups 10%

Religions

Muslim 85%Christian 8%indigenous beliefs 7%

Age structure

0-14 years:
44.4% (male 2,075,652; female 2,032,936)
15-64 years:
52.4% (male 2,417,440; female 2,428,085)
65 years and over:
3.2% (male 127,654; female 164,695) (2004 est.)

Net migration rate

-3.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is host to approximately 150,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees (2004 est.)

Sex ratio

at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
1 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.78 male(s)/female
total population:
1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.87 children born/woman (2004 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

9,000 (2003 est.)

Nationality

noun:
Guinean(s)
adjective:
Guinean

Languages

French (official), each ethnic group has its own language

Government

Republic; President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993); Prime Minister Cellou Dalein DIALLO (since 9 December 2004)

18 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

95.3%
Lansana CONTE (PUP) 95.3%Mamadou Boye BARRY (UPR) 4.6%election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held NA December 2008)

People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire, 114 seats, elected 30 June 2002one dot, one seat

PUP 85UPR 20other 9

Percent of vote

PUP 61.6%UPR 26.6%other 11.8%

Country name

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

Capital

Conakry

Administrative divisions

  • 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

Independence

2 October 1958 (from France)

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 October (1958)

Constitution

23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state:
President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993)
head of government:
Prime Minister Cellou Dalein DIALLO (since 9 December 2004)
cabinet:
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections:
  • president elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
  • candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president;
  • election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held NA December 2008);
  • the prime minister is appointed by the president
election results:
Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE (PUP) 95.3%, Mamadou Boye BARRY (UPR) 4.6%

Legislative branch

unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections:
last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007)
election results:
percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Political parties and leaders

  • Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN];
  • National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY];
  • Party for Unity and Progress or PUP [Lansana CONTE] - the governing party;
  • People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Pascal TOLNO];
  • Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE];
  • Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Siradiou DIALLO];
  • Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general];
  • Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Rafiou Alpha Oumar BARRY
chancery:
2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:
[1] (202) 986-4300
FAX:
[1] (202) 478-3010

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:
Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY
embassy:
Rue Ka 038, Conakry
mailing address:
B. P. 603, Conakry
telephone:
[224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23
FAX:
[224] 41 15 22

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Economy

Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation.

39 fields
Real growth rate
3%
(2003 est.)industrial production growth: 3.2% (1994)
Labor force
3million
(1999)

GDP - composition by sector(2003 est.)

agriculture 24.9%industry 38.2%services 36.9% (2003 est.)

Trading partnersexports left, imports right

9.2%
France
16.8%
14.8%
South Korea
10.7%
Spain
10.1%
US
4.5%
China
9.3%
9%
Russia
7.9%
Ireland
6.4%
Belgium
7.1%
Italy
6.6%
5.6%
Germany
Netherlands
5.4%
UK
5.4%
5.3%
Ukraine
Cote d'Ivoire
4.8%
Exports $726 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)Imports $646 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)(2003)

Budget

Revenues
$410.7 millionExpenditures
$708.5 million (2003 est.)
expenditures including capital expenditures of $NA million

Electricity

Electricity production
790.6 million (2001)Electricity consumption
735.2 million (2001)

Economy - overview

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. 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.

Fighting along the Sierra Leonean and Liberian borders, as well as refugee movements, have caused major economic disruptions, including a loss in investor confidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff, while panic buying has created food shortages and inflation in local markets.

Guinea is not receiving multilateral aid. The IMF and World Bank cut off most assistance in 2003. Growth should strengthen in 2004, however, because of a slowly improving security situation and increased investor confidence.

GDP

purchasing power parity - $19.02 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

21.2% of GDP (2003)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%:
2.6%
highest 10%:
32% (1994)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2000 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA (2002 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Industries

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

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - consumption

8,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports

NA (2001)

Oil - imports

NA (2001)

Current account balance

$-252 million (2003)

Exports

$726 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities

bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products

Imports

$646 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities

petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs

Debt - external

$3.25 billion (2001 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$359.2 million (1998)

Currency

Guinean franc (GNF)

Exchange rates

Guinean francs per US dollar - NA (2003), 1,975.84 (2002), 1,950.56 (2001), 1,746.87 (2000), 1,387.4 (1999)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

8 fields
Mobile cellular
111,500
(2003)
Fixed lines
26,200
(2003) · country code .gn

Telephone system

general assessment:
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:
country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 4 (one station is inactive), FM 1 (plus 7 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2001)

Television broadcast stations

6 low-power stations (2001)

Internet users

40,000 (2003)

Transportation

8 fields

Airports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right

1
over 3,047 m
1
2,438 to 3,047 m
3
1,524 to 2,437 m
6
914 to 1,523 m
3
under 914 m
2
Paved 5Unpaved 11

Networkskm

Highways
30,500Railways
837Waterways
1,295 (2003)
Highways: paved: 5,033 km · unpaved: 25,467 km (1999 est.) · Railways: standard gauge: 175 km 1.435-m gauge · narrow gauge: 662 km 1.000-m gauge (2003) · Waterways: (navigable by shallow-draft native craft)

Railways

total:
837 km
standard gauge:
175 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge:
662 km 1.000-m gauge (2003)

Highways

total:
30,500 km
paved:
5,033 km
unpaved:
25,467 km (1999 est.)

Waterways

1,295 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2003)

Ports and harbors

Boke, Conakry, Kamsar

Merchant marine

total:
3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,344 GRT/5,003 DWT
by type:
cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned:
Iraq 1 (2003 est.)

Airports

16 (2003 est.)

Military

Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie, General Directorate of National Police

6 fields

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie, General Directorate of National Police

Military manpower - military age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 2,108,948 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 1,064,965 (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

2 fields

Disputes - international

  • domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups in Guinea, domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have created insurgencies, street violence, looting, arms trafficking, ethnic conflicts skirmishes, deaths, and refugees in border areas;
  • in 2003, Guinea and Sierra Leone established a boundary commission to resolve a dispute over the town of Yenga

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin):
133,175 (Liberia), 13,633 (Sierra Leone), 7,064 (Cote d'Ivoire)
IDPs:
100,000 (cross-border incursions from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire) (2004)

Central Intelligence Agency. “Guinea.” The World Factbook 2004. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/guinea/2004.

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