2009 Edition

Background

Guinea has had a history of authoritarian rule 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, though all the polls were marred by irregularities. History repeated itself in December 2008 when following President CONTE's death, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seizing power and suspending the constitution as well as political and union activity. Guinea has maintained some semblance of internal stability despite spillover effects from conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As those countries have rebuilt, however, Guinea's own vulnerability to political and economic crisis has increased. Declining economic conditions and popular dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes in 2006, and a third nationwide strike in early 2007.

Area

total: 245,857 sq km country comparison to the world: 78 land: 245,717 sq km water: 140 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Oregon

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

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 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, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 1.51 cu km/yr (8%/2%/90%) per capita: 161 cu m/yr (2000)

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

Irrigated land

950 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

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

Land use

arable land: 4.47% permanent crops: 2.64% other: 92.89% (2005)

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

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

Terrain

generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior

Total renewable water resources

226 cu km (1987)

Age structure

0-14 years: 42.8% (male 2,175,852/female 2,128,518) 15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,701,184/female 2,704,161) 65 years and over: 3.5% (male 153,053/female 195,207) (2009 est.)

Birth rate

37.52 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Death rate

11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

Education expenditures

1.6% of GDP (2005) country comparison to the world: 173

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.6% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

HIV/AIDS - deaths

4,500 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 46

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

87,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Infant mortality rate

total: 65.22 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 31 male: 68.7 deaths/1,000 live births female: 61.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 57.09 years country comparison to the world: 189 male: 55.63 years female: 58.6 years (2009 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 29.5% male: 42.6% female: 18.1% (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2009)

Median age

total: 18.5 years male: 18.2 years female: 18.7 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean

Net migration rate

-0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 118

Population

10,057,975 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Population growth rate

2.572% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 8 years male: 10 years female: 7 years (2006)

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 (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.2 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Urbanization

urban population: 34% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

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

Capital

name: Conakry geographic coordinates: 9 33 N, 13 42 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Elizabeth RASPOLIC 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] 65-10-40-00

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Mory Karamoko KABA chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300

Executive branch

chief of state: Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA, President of the National Council for Democracy and Development, who led a military coup following the death of President Lansana CONTE on 22 December 2008 head of government: Prime Minister Kabine KOMARA (since 30 December 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president 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 (ad hoc election scheduled for 31 January 2010); the prime minister is appointed by the president election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE 95.3%, Mamadou Bhoye BARRY 4.6%

FAX

[1] (202) 483-8688

[224] 65-10-42-97

Flag description

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

Government type

republic

Independence

2 October 1958 (from France)

International organization participation

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), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Court of First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Legal system

based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

Legislative branch

unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by a mixed system of direct popular vote and proportional party lists) elections: last held 30 June 2002 (legislative elections due in 2007 were first rescheduled for 2008 and subsequently rescheduled for 26 March 2010) 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

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 October (1958)

Political parties and leaders

National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP (the governing party) [Sekou KONATE]; 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 [Cellou Dalein DIALLO]; 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

National Confederation of Guinean Workers-Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance (includes National Confederation of Guinean Workers or CNTG [Rabiatou Sarah DIALLO] and Labor Union of Guinean Workers or USTG [Dr. Ibrahima FOFANA]); National Council of Civil Society Organizations of Guinea or CNOSCG [Ben Sekou SYLLA]; Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG [Dr. Louis M'Bemba SOUMAH]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $769.7 million expenditures: $837.7 million (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 5 22.25% (31 December 2005)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA%

Current account balance

-$489 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 105 -$463 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$3.222 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 119 $3.351 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

38.1 (2006) country comparison to the world: 73 40.3 (1994)

Economy - overview

Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country has almost half of the world's bauxite reserves. The mining sector accounts for more than 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. Investor confidence has been sapped by rampant corruption, a lack of electricity and other infrastructure, a lack of skilled workers, and the political uncertainty because of the death of President Lansana CONTE in December 2008. Guinea is trying to reengage with the IMF and World Bank, which cut off most assistance in 2003, and is working closely with technical advisors from the U.S. Treasury Department, the World Bank and IMF, seeking to return to a fully funded program. Growth rose slightly in 2006-08, 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

790.5 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

850 million kWh country comparison to the world: 149 note: excludes electricity generated at interior mining sites (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - 5,500 (2008 est.), 4,122.8 (2007), 5,350 (2006), 3,644.3 (2005), 2,225 (2004)

Exports

$1.392 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $1.203 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

India 28.9%, Spain 10%, Russia 9.5%, Germany 6.7%, US 5.8%, Ireland 4.2%, France 4.1% (2008)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 23.2% industry: 39.5% services: 37.3% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,100 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 208 $1,100 (2007 est.) $1,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 97 1.5% (2007 est.) 2.2% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.517 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$10.62 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 147 $10.17 billion (2007 est.) $10.02 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 41% (2006)

Imports

$1.389 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 162 $1.218 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 9.6%, France 7.8%, Netherlands 7.6% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

15% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190 23.4% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

12.3% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 143

Labor force

4.392 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 82

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 76% industry and services: 24% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 176

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 71

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 173

Oil - consumption

9,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Oil - imports

8,674 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Population below poverty line

47% (2006 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$93 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $86 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$422.1 million (31 December 2005)

Stock of money

$NA (31 December 2008) $309.8 million (31 December 2005)

Stock of quasi money

$NA

Unemployment rate

NA%

Internet country code

.gn

Internet hosts

14 (2009) country comparison to the world: 218

Internet users

90,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 157

Radio broadcast stations

AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006)

Telephone system

general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system domestic: Conakry reasonably well served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; fixed-line density less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding and is roughly 25 per 100 persons international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

50,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 163

Telephones - mobile cellular

2.6 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 113

Television broadcast stations

6 (2001)

Airports

17 (2009) country comparison to the world: 141

Airports - with paved runways

total: 5 over 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 7 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Ports and terminals

Conakry, Kamsar

Railways

total: 1,185 km country comparison to the world: 86 standard gauge: 238 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 947 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 44,348 km country comparison to the world: 82 paved: 4,342 km unpaved: 40,006 km (2003)

Waterways

1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2008) country comparison to the world: 57

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,230,049 females age 16-49: 2,193,236 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,396,278 females age 16-49: 1,435,387 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 110,281 female: 107,879 (2009 est.)

Military expenditures

1.7% of GDP (2006) country comparison to the world: 97

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (2009)

National Armed Forces

Army, Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Air Force (2009)

Disputes - international

conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea, resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998

IDPs

19,000 (cross-border incursions from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone) (2007)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 21,856 (Liberia); 5,259 (Sierra Leone); 3,900 (Cote d'Ivoire)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Guinea is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children, and internal trafficking is more prevalent than transnational trafficking; within the country, girls are trafficked primarily for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced agricultural labor, and as forced beggars, street vendors, shoe shiners, and laborers in gold and diamond mines; some Guinean men are also trafficked for agricultural labor within Guinea; transnationally, girls are trafficked into Guinea for domestic servitude and likely also for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking over 2006; Guinea demonstrated minimal law enforcement efforts for a second year in a row, while protection efforts diminished over efforts in 2006; the government did not report any trafficking convictions in 2007; due to a lack of resources, the government does not provide shelter services for trafficking victims; the government took no measures to reduce the demand for commercial sexual exploitation (2008) page last updated on November 11, 2009