2007 Edition

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 44.4% (male 2,171,733/female 2,128,027) 15-64 years: 52.5% (male 2,541,140/female 2,542,847) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 134,239/female 172,236) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

16 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

over 3,047 m

1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2006)

total

5

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3

under 914 m

2 (2006)

Area

land

245,857 sq km

total

245,857 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Oregon

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. In 2006, declining economic conditions prompted two massive strikes that sparked urban unrest in many Guinean cities. Geography Guinea

Birth rate

41.76 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$556.7 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)

revenues

$288.2 million

Capital

geographic coordinates

9 31 N, 13 43 W

name

Conakry

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Constitution

23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Guinea

conventional short form

Guinea

former

French Guinea

local long form

Republique de Guinee

local short form

Guinee

Currency (code)

Guinean franc (GNF)

Currency code

GNF

Current account balance

$-344 million (2006 est.)

Death rate

15.48 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$3.46 billion (2003 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Jackson C. MCDONALD

embassy

Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle

mailing address

B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry

telephone

[224] 30-42-08-61

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant)

telephone

[1] (202) 986-4300

Disputes - international

conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea, resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone has pressured Guinea to remove its forces from the town of Yenga, occupied since 1998

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40.3 (1994)

Economic aid - recipient

$237.5 million (2003)

Economy - overview

Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country possesses almost half of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounts for over 70% of exports. 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, aggravating a loss in investor confidence. Panic buying has created food shortages and inflation and caused riots in local markets. Guinea is trying to reengage with the IMF and World Bank, which cut off most assistance in 2003. Growth rose slightly in 2006, primarily due to increases in global demand and commodity prices on world markets, but the standard of living fell. The Guinea franc depreciated sharply as the prices for basic necessities like food and fuel rose beyond the reach of most Guineans. Dissatisfaction with economic conditions prompted nationwide strikes in February and June 2006.

Electricity - consumption

734.7 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

790 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

45.5%

hydro

54.5%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mont Nimba 1,752 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

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

Ethnic groups

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

Exchange rates

Guinean francs per US dollar - 5,555 (2006), 3,644.3 (2005), 2,225 (2004), 1,984.9 (2003), 1,975.8 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993)

election results

Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE (PUP) 95.3%, Mamadou Boye BARRY (UPR) 4.6%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held December 2010); the prime minister is appointed by the president

head of government

vacant; note - Prime Minister Cellou Dalein DIALLO was dismissed on 5 April 2006

Exports

$615.1 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Russia 14.6%, South Korea 11.3%, Spain 10.2%, Ukraine 7.9%, US 6.1%, Ireland 6%, France 5.7%, Germany 5%, Belgium 4.5% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 478-3800

[224] 30-42-08-73

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Guinea

Flag description

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

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

23.7%

industry

36.1%

services

40.2% (2006 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,000 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$3.737 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$19.4 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

11 00 N, 10 00 W

Geography - note

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

Government type

republic

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

9,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

140,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

32% (1994)

lowest 10%

2.6%

IDPs

19,000 (cross-border incursions from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone) (2006) This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Imports

$730 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 8.5%, US 7.3%, France 7.2%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.2%, Italy 4.7%, Belgium 4.1% (2005)

Independence

2 October 1958 (from France)

Industrial production growth rate

NA

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

84.69 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

95.16 deaths/1,000 live births

total

90 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

27% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

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

Internet country code

.gn

Internet hosts

367 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

4 (2001)

Internet users

46,000 (2005) Transportation Guinea

Investment (gross fixed)

17.6% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

950 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Labor force

3 million (1999)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

80%

industry and services

20% (2000 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

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

total

3,399 km

Land use

arable land

4.47%

other

92.89% (2005)

permanent crops

2.64%

Languages

French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language

Legal system

based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

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)

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

elections

last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held in 2007)

Life expectancy at birth

female

50.7 years (2006 est.)

male

48.34 years

total population

49.5 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

21.9% (1995 est.) Government Guinea

male

49.9%

total population

35.9%

Location

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

Major infectious diseases

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease

Lassa fever (2007)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria and yellow fever are high risks in some locations

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

1,827,560 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

1,852,534

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

1,032,885 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

1,034,006

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Median age

female

17.9 years (2006 est.)

male

17.4 years

total

17.7 years

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard (2006)

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$119.7 million (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2.9% (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Guinea

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 24 months (2004)

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 October (1958)

Nationality

adjective

Guinean

noun

Guinean(s)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

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

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

note

as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is host to approximately 141,500 refugees from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

8,440 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; Dyama; 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 [Charles Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Mamadou BAH]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Ousmane BAH]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Labor Union of Guinean Workers - National Confederation of Guinean Workers or USTG-NCTG Alliance [Ibrahima FOFANA]; Student and teacher unions

Population

9,690,222 (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

40% (2003 est.)

Population growth rate

2.63% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Kamsar Military Guinea

Radio broadcast stations

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

Radios

357,000 (1997)

Railways

narrow gauge

662 km 1.000-m gauge (2005)

standard gauge

175 km 1.435-m gauge

total

837 km

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

54,810 (Liberia), 5,423 (Sierra Leone), 3,900 (Cote d'Ivoire)

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$59.6 million (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

4,342 km

total

44,348 km

unpaved

40,006 km (2003)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication

general assessment

poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system

international

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

Telephones - main lines in use

26,200 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular

189,000 (2005)

Television broadcast stations

6 low-power stations (2001)

Televisions

85,000 (1997)

Terrain

generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior

Total fertility rate

5.79 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Waterways

1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2005)