1994 Edition

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

9 regions (regioes, singular - regiao); Bafata, Biombo, Bissau, Bolama, Cacheu, Gabu, Oio, Quinara, Tombali

20 provinces; Central, Chimbu, Eastern Highlands, East New Britain, East Sepik, Enga, Gulf, Madang, Manus, Milne Bay, Morobe, National Capital, New Ireland, Northern, North Solomons, Sandaun, Southern Highlands, Western, Western Highlands, West New Britain

Agriculture

accounts for 40% of GDP (includes fishing and forestry); mostly subsistence farming; principal products - rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava, bananas, sweet potatoes, timber; livestock - cattle, sheep and goats; not self-sufficient in food grains

accounts for over 45% of GDP, nearly 100% of exports, and 90% of employment; rice is the staple food; other crops include corn, beans, cassava, cashew nuts, peanuts, palm kernels, and cotton; not self-sufficient in food; fishing and forestry potential not fully exploited

Accounts for 28% of GDP; livelihood for 85% of population; fertile soils and favorable climate permits cultivating a wide variety of crops; cash crops - coffee, cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels; other products - tea, rubber, sweet potatoes, fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork; net importer of food for urban centers

Airports

total: 15 usable: 15 with permanent-surface runways: 4 with runways over 3,659 m: with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 3 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 10

total: 32 usable: 16 with permanent-surface runways: 4 with runways over 3,659 m: with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 5

total: 504 usable: 462 with permanent-surface runways: 18 with runways over 3,659 m: with runways 2,440-3,659 m: 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m: 39

Area

total area: 245,860 sq km land area: 245,860 sq km comparative area: slightly smaller than Oregon

total area: 36,120 sq km land area: 28,000 sq km comparative area: slightly less than three times the size of Connecticut

total area: 461,690 sq km land area: 451,710 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than California

Birth rate

44.08 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

40.75 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

33.5 births/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Branches

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

People's Revolutionary Armed Force (FARP; including Army, Navy, Air Force), paramilitary force

Papua New Guinea Defense Force (including Army, Navy, Air Force)

Budget

revenues: $449 million expenditures: $708 million, including capital expenditures of $361 million (1990 est.)

revenues: $33.6 million expenditures: $44.8 million, including capital expenditures of $570,000 (1991 est.)

revenues: $1.33 billion expenditures: $1.49 billion, including capital expenditures of $225 million (1993 est.)

Capital

Conakry

Bissau

Port Moresby

Climate

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

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

tropical; northwest monsoon (December to March), southeast monsoon (May to October); slight seasonal temperature variation

Coastline

320 km

350 km

5,152 km

Constitution

23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)

16 May 1984, amended 4 May 1991 (currently undergoing revision to liberalize popular participation in the government)

16 September 1975

Council of State

this body is elected by the National People's Assembly from among its own members to legislate between sessions of the National People's Assembly cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president

Currency

1 Guinean franc (FG) = 100 centimes

1 Guinea-Bissauan peso (PG) = 100 centavos

1 kina (K) = 100 toea

Death rate

19.6 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

17.03 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

10.38 deaths/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Defense expenditures

exchange rate conversion - $29 million, 1.2% of GDP (1988)

exchange rate conversion - $9.3 million, 5%-6% of GDP (1987)

exchange rate conversion - $55 million, 1.8% of GDP (1993 est.)

Digraph

GV

PU

PP

Diplomatic representation in US

chief of mission: Ambassador Elhadj Boubacar BARRY chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: (202) 483-9420

chief of mission: Ambassador Alfredo Lopes CABRAL chancery: 918 16th Street NW, Mezzanine Suite, Washington, DC 20006 telephone: (202) 872-4222

chief of mission: Ambassador-designate Kepas WATANGIA chancery: 3rd floor, 1615 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: (202) 745-3680

Economic aid

recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $227 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $1.465 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $120 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $446 million

recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $49 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $615 million; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $41 million; Communist countries (1970-89), $68 million

recipient: US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY70-89), $40.6 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89), $6.5 billion; OPEC bilateral aid (1979-89), $17 million

Electricity

capacity: 113,000 kW production: 300 million kWh consumption per capita: 40 kWh (1989)

capacity: 22,000 kW production: 30 million kWh consumption per capita: 30 kWh (1991)

capacity: 400,000 kW production: 1.6 billion kWh consumption per capita: 400 kWh (1992)

Environment

current issues: deforestation; inadequate supplies of safe drinking water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion 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

current issues: deforestation; soil erosion; overgrazing natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires international agreements: party to - Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Wetlands; signed, but not ratifed - Biodiversity, Climate Change

current issues: deforestation; pollution from mining projects natural hazards: some active volcanoes; frequent earthquakes international agreements: party to - Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber; signed, but not ratified - Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Law of the Sea

Ethnic divisions

Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, indigenous tribes 10%

African 99% (Balanta 30%, Fula 20%, Manjaca 14%, Mandinga 13%, Papel 7%), European and mulatto less than 1%

Melanesian, Papuan, Negrito, Micronesian, Polynesian

Exchange rates

Guinean francs (FG) per US$1 - 810.94 (1 July 1993), 922.9 (30 September 1992), 675 (1990), 618 (1989), 515 (1988), 440 (1987), 383 (1986)

Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1 - 11,850 (December 1993), 10,082 (1993), 6,934 (1992), 3,659 (1991), 2,185 (1990), 1,810 (1989)

kina (K) per US$1 - 1.0281 (January 1994), 1.0221 (1993), 1.0367 (1992), 1.0504 (1991), 1.0467 (1990), 1.1685 (1989)

Executive branch

chief of state and head of government: President Lansana CONTE, elected in the first multi-party election 19 December 1993 prior to the election he had ruled as head of military government since 5 April 1984 cabinet: Council of Ministers; appointed by the president

chief of state and head of government: President of the Council of State Gen. Joao Bernardo VIEIRA (assumed power 14 November 1980 and was elected President of Council of State on 16 May 1984); election last held 19 June 1989 (next to be held 3 July 1994); results - Gen. Joao Bernardo VIEIRA was reelected without opposition by the National People's Assembly

chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Wiwa KOROWI (since NA November 1991) head of government: Prime Minister Paias WINGTI (since 17 July 1992); Deputy Prime Minister Sir Julius CHAN (since July 1992) cabinet: National Executive Council; appointed by the governor on recommendation of the prime minister

Exports

$622 million (f.o.b., 1992 est.) commodities: bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, pineapples, bananas, palm kernels partners: US 23%, Belgium 12%, Ireland 12%, Spain 12%

$20.4 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: cashews, fish, peanuts, palm kernels partners: Portugal, Spain, Senegal, India, Nigeria

$1.3 billion (f.o.b., 1990) commodities: gold, copper ore, oil, logs, palm oil, coffee, cocoa, lobster partners: Australia, Japan, South Korea, UK, US

External debt

2.5 billion (1992)

$462 million (December 1990 est.)

$2.2 billion (April 1991)

FAX

(202) 483-8688

(224) 44-15-22

(202) 872-4226

[245] 25-2282

(202) 745-3679

[675] 213-423

Fiscal year

calendar year

calendar year

calendar year

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

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and green with a vertical red band on the hoist side; there is a black five-pointed star centered in the red band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Cape Verde, which has the black star raised above the center of the red band and is framed by two corn stalks and a yellow clam shell

divided diagonally from upper hoist-side corner; the upper triangle is red with a soaring yellow bird of paradise centered; the lower triangle is black with five white five-pointed stars of the Southern Cross constellation centered

Highways

total: 30,100 km paved: 1,145 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone 12,955 km (of which barely 4,500 are currently all-weather roads); unimproved earth 16,000 km (1987)

total: 3,218 km paved: bituminous 2,698 km unpaved: earth 520 km

total: 19,200 km paved: 640 km unpaved: gravel, crushed stone, stabilized earth 10,960 km; unimproved earth 7,600 km

Imports

$768 million (c.i.f., 1992 est.) commodities: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, and other grain partners: France 26%, Cote d'Ivoire 12%, Hong Kong 6%, Germany 6%

$63.5 million (f.o.b., 1991 est.) commodities: foodstuffs, transport equipment, petroleum products, machinery and equipment partners: Portugal, Netherlands, China, Germany, Senegal

$1.6 billion (c.i.f., 1990) commodities: machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food, fuels, chemicals partners: Australia, Japan, US, Singapore, New Zealand, UK

Independence

2 October 1958 (from France)

10 September 1974 (from Portugal)

16 September 1975 (from UN trusteeship under Australian administration)

Industrial production

growth rate NA%; accounts for 27% of GDP

growth rate 0.1% (1991 est.); accounts for 5% of GDP

growth rate 21% (1992); accounts for 31% of GDP

Industries

bauxite mining, alumina, gold, diamond mining, light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries

agricultural processing, beer, soft drinks

copra crushing, palm oil processing, plywood production, wood chip production, mining of gold, silver, and copper, construction, tourism

Infant mortality rate

139.2 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

120 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

63.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1994 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

16.6% (1992 est.)

55% (1991 est.)

4.5% (1992-93)

Inland waterways

1,295 km navigable by shallow-draft native craft

scattered stretches are important to coastal commerce

10,940 km

International disputes

none

Guinea-Bissau and Senegal signed an agreement resolving their maritime boundary in 1993

none

Irrigated land

240 sq km (1989 est.)

NA sq km

NA sq km

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel)

none; there is a Ministry of Justice in the Council of Ministers

Supreme Court

Labor force

2.4 million (1983) by occupation: agriculture 82.0%, industry and commerce 11.0%, services 5.4% note: 88,112 civil servants (1987); 52% of population of working age (1985)

403,000 (est.) by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry, services, and commerce 5%, government 5% note: population of working age 53% (1983)

NA

Land boundaries

total 3,399 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km

total 724 km, Guinea 386 km, Senegal 338 km

total 820 km, Indonesia 820 km

Land use

arable land: 6% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 12% forest and woodland: 42% other: 40%

arable land: 11% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 43% forest and woodland: 38% other: 7%

arable land: 0% permanent crops: 1% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 71% other: 28%

Languages

French (official); each tribe has its own language

Portuguese (official), Criolo, African languages

English spoken by 1-2%, pidgin English widespread, Motu spoken in Papua region note: 715 indigenous languages

Legal system

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

NA

based on English common law

Legislative branch

unicameral

unicameral

unicameral

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 44.13 years male: 41.9 years female: 46.43 years (1994 est.)

total population: 47.44 years male: 45.79 years female: 49.15 years (1994 est.)

total population: 56.43 years male: 55.6 years female: 57.31 years (1994 est.)

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 24% male: 35% female: 13%

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 36% male: 50% female: 24%

age 15 and over can read and write (1990 est.) total population: 52% male: 65% female: 38%

Location

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

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean between Guinea and Senegal

Southeastern Asia, just north of Australia, between Indonesia and the Solomon Islands

Manpower availability

males age 15-49 1,440,297; fit for military service 726,543

males age 15-49 243,715; fit for military service 139,161

males age 15-49 1,080,316; fit for military service 601,369

Map references

Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World

Africa, Standard Time Zones of the World

Oceania, Southeast Asia, Standard Time Zones of the World

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200-m depth or to depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

Member of

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEAO (observer), ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

ACCT (associate), ACP, AfDB, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), INTERPOL, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNAVEM II, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOMOZ, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

ACP, APEC, AsDB, ASEAN (observer), C, CP, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, LORCS, NAM, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO

Merchant marine

11 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 21,337 GRT/25,669 DWT, bulk 2, cargo 3, combination ore/oil 5, container 1

Names

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

conventional long form: Republic of Guinea-Bissau conventional short form: Guinea-Bissau local long form: Republica de Guine-Bissau local short form: Guine-Bissau former: Portuguese Guinea

conventional long form: Independent State of Papua New Guinea conventional short form: Papua New Guinea

National holiday

Anniversary of the Second Republic, 3 April (1984)

Independence Day, 10 September (1974)

Independence Day, 16 September (1975)

National Parliament

(sometimes referred to as the House of Assembly) elections last held 13-26 June 1992 (next to be held NA 1997); results - percent by party NA; seats - (109 total) Pangu Party 24, PDM 17, PPP 10, PAP 10, independents 30, others 18 (association with political parties is fluid)

National People's Assembly

(Assembleia Nacional Popular) elections last held 15 June 1989 (next to be held 3 July 1994); results - PAIGC was the only party; seats - (150 total) PAIGC 150

National product

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $3.1 billion (1993 est.)

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $860 million (1993 est.)

GDP - purchasing power equivalent - $8.2 billion (1993 est.)

National product per capita

$500 (1993 est.)

$800 (1993 est.)

$2,000 (1993 est.)

National product real growth rate

3.2% (1992 est.)

NA

1.2% (1993 est.)

Nationality

noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean

noun: Guinea-Bissauan(s) adjective: Guinea-Bissauan

noun: Papua New Guinean(s) adjective: Papua New Guinean

Natural resources

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

unexploited deposits of petroleum, bauxite, phosphates, fish, timber

gold, copper, silver, natural gas, timber, oil potential

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1994 est.)

Note

shares island of New Guinea with Indonesia; one of world's largest swamps along southwest coast

Overview

Although possessing major mineral and hydropower resources and considerable potential for agricultural development, Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The agricultural sector contributes about 40% to GDP and employs more than 80% of the work force, while industry accounts for 27% of GDP. 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.

Guinea-Bissau ranks among the poorest countries in the world, with a per capita GDP of roughly $800. Agriculture and fishing are the main economic activities. Cashew nuts, peanuts, and palm kernels are the primary exports. Exploitation of known mineral deposits is unlikely at present because of a weak infrastructure and the high cost of development.

Papua New Guinea is richly endowed with natural resources, but exploitation has been hampered by the rugged terrain and the high cost of developing an infrastructure. Agriculture provides a subsistence livelihood for 85% of the population. Mining of numerous deposits, including copper and gold, accounts for about 60% of export earnings. Budgetary support from Australia and development aid under World Bank auspices have helped sustain the economy. Robust growth in 1991-92 was led by the mining sector; the opening of a large new gold mine helped the advance. The economy remained strong in 1993, primarily because of continued growth in the mining and oil sectors.

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 are scheduled for 1994

Political parties and leaders

political parties were legalized on 1 April 1992 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

African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC), President Joao Bernardo VIEIRA, leader; Democratic Social Front (FDS), Rafael BARBOSA, leader; Bafata Movement, Domingos Fernandes GARNER, leader; Democratic Front (FD), Aristides MENEZES, leader note: PAIGC is still the major party (of 10 parties) and controls all aspects of the government

Papua New Guinea United Party (Pangu Party), Jack GENIA; People's Democratic Movement (PDM), Paias WINGTI; People's Action Party (PAP), Akoka DOI; People's Progress Party (PPP), Sir Julius CHAN; United Party (UP), Paul TORATO; Papua Party (PP), Galeva KWARARA; National Party (NP), Paul PORA; Melanesian Alliance (MA), Fr. John MOMIS

Population

6,391,536 (July 1994 est.)

1,098,231 (July 1994 est.)

4,196,806 (July 1994 est.)

Population growth rate

2.45% (1994 est.)

2.37% (1994 est.)

2.31% (1994 est.)

Ports

Conakry, Kamsar

Bissau

Anewa Bay, Lae, Madang, Port Moresby, Rabaul

Railroads

1,045 km; 806 km 1.000-meter gauge, 239 km 1.435-meter standard gauge

none

Religions

Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%

indigenous beliefs 65%, Muslim 30%, Christian 5%

Roman Catholic 22%, Lutheran 16%, Presbyterian/Methodist/London Missionary Society 8%, Anglican 5%, Evangelical Alliance 4%, Seventh-Day Adventist 1%, other Protestant sects 10%, indigenous beliefs 34%

Suffrage

none

15 years of age; universal

18 years of age; universal

Telecommunications

poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiocommunication stations, and new radio relay system; 15,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 3 AM 1 FM, 1 TV; 65,000 TV sets; 200,000 radio receivers; 1 Atlantic Ocean INTELSAT earth station

poor system of radio relay, open-wire lines, and radiocommunications; 3,000 telephones; broadcast stations - 2 AM, 3 FM, 1 TV

services are adequate and being improved; facilities provide radiobroadcast, radiotelephone and telegraph, coastal radio, aeronautical radio, and international radiocommunication services; submarine cables extend to Australia and Guam; more than 70,000 telephones (1987); broadcast stations - 31 AM, 2 FM, 2 TV (1987); 1 Pacific Ocean INTELSAT earth station

Terrain

generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior

mostly low coastal plain rising to savanna in east

mostly mountains with coastal lowlands and rolling foothills

Total fertility rate

5.85 children born/woman (1994 est.)

5.51 children born/woman (1994 est.)

4.65 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Type

republic

republic formerly highly centralized, multiparty since mid-1991

parliamentary democracy

Unemployment rate

NA%

NA%

NA%

US diplomatic representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph A. SALOOM embassy: 2nd Boulevard and 9th Avenue, Conakry mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry telephone: (224) 44-15-20 through 24

chief of mission: Ambassador Roger A. McGUIRE embassy: Barrio de Penha, Bissau mailing address: C.P. 297, 1067 Bissau Codex, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau telephone: [245] 25-2273, 25-2274, 25-2275, 25-2276

chief of mission: Ambassador Richard TEARE embassy: Armit Street, Port Moresby mailing address: P. O. Box 1492, Port Moresby, or APO AE 96553 telephone: [675] 211-455 or 594, 654