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 inSierra Leone has spilled over into Guinea, threatening stability and creating a humanitarian emergency.
Location:Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates:11 00 N, 10 00 W
Area: 245,857 sq km
Climate: Generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Coastline: 320 km
Population: 9,246,462(July 2004 est.)
Ethnic groups:Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%
Languages: French (official), each ethnic group has its own language
Economy: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. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff, while panic buying has created food shortages and inflation in local markets. Multilateral aid - including Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) debt relief - and single digit inflation should permit 5% growth in 2002.
Conventional long form: Republic of Guinea
Capital:Conakry
Independence:2 October 1958 (from France)
Legal system: Based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Religions:Around 85% of the population is Muslims while 5% following local native tribal beliefs and 1.5% are Christians, overwhelmingly Roman Catholic.
Natural resources: bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish
