2012 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. His unwillingness to yield to domestic and international pressure to step down led to heightened political tensions that culminated in September 2009 when presidential guards opened fire on an opposition rally killing more than 150 people, and in early December 2009 when CAMARA was wounded in an assassination attempt and evacuated to Morocco and subsequently to Burkina Faso. A transitional government led by General Sekouba KONATE held democratic elections in 2010 and Alpha CONDE was elected president in the country's first free and fair elections since independence. CONDE in July 2011 survived an attack on his residence allegedly perpetrated by the military. In October 2012, he announced a cabinet reshuffle that removed three members of the military from their positions, making the current administration Guinea's first all-civilian government.

Area

245,857 sq km 245,717 sq km 140 sq km

total

245,857 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

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mont Nimba 1,752 m

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected 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)

1.51 cu km/yr (8%/2%/90%) 161 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

161 cu m/yr (2000)

total

1.51 cu km/yr (8%/2%/90%)

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

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

total

3,399 km

Land use

4.47% 2.64% 92.89% (2005)

arable land

4.47%

other

92.89% (2005)

permanent crops

2.64%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 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

42.4% (male 2,330,406/ female 2,281,477) 54.1% (male 2,945,202/ female 2,942,363) 3.5% (male 169,937/ female 215,573) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

42.4% (male 2,330,406/ female 2,281,477)

15-64 years

54.1% (male 2,945,202/ female 2,942,363)

65 years and over

3.5% (male 169,937/ female 215,573) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

36.6 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

20.8% (2008)

Death rate

10.19 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

2.4% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

6.1% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.3% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

4,700 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

79,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.31 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Infant mortality rate

59.04 deaths/1,000 live births 62.18 deaths/1,000 live births 55.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

55.81 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

59.04 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official) each ethnic group has its own language

Life expectancy at birth

58.61 years 57.12 years 60.15 years (2012 est.)

female

60.15 years (2012 est.)

total population

58.61 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 41% 52% 30% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

30% (2010 est.)

male

52%

total population

41%

Major cities - population

CONAKRY (capital) 1.597 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and yellow fever schistosomiasis Lassa fever rabies (2009)

aerosolized dust or soil contact disease

Lassa fever

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

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

Maternal mortality rate

610 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

18.6 years 18.4 years 18.9 years (2012 est.)

female

18.9 years (2012 est.)

male

18.4 years

total

18.6 years

Nationality

Guinean(s) Guinean

adjective

Guinean

noun

Guinean(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2005)

Population

10,884,958 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

2.641% (2012 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 34% of population rural: 11% of population total: 19% of population urban: 66% of population rural: 89% of population total: 81% of population

rural

89% of population

total

81% of population

urban

66% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

9 years 10 years 7 years (2009)

female

7 years (2009)

male

10 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.79 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

5.04 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

35% of total population (2010) 4.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

35% of total population (2010)

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

Conakry 9 30 N, 13 42 W UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

9 30 N, 13 42 W

name

Conakry

time difference

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

Constitution

7 May 2010 (Loi Fundamentale)

Country name

Republic of Guinea Guinea Republique de Guinee Guinee French Guinea

conventional long form

Republic of Guinea

conventional short form

Guinea

former

French Guinea

local long form

Republique de Guinee

local short form

Guinee

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Patricia Newton MOLLER Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry [224] 65-10-40-00 [224] 65-10-42-97

chief of mission

Ambassador Patricia Newton MOLLER

embassy

Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle

FAX

[224] 65-10-42-97

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

Ambassador Blaise CHERIF 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 986-4300 [1] (202) 483-8688

chancery

2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Blaise CHERIF

FAX

[1] (202) 483-8688

telephone

[1] (202) 986-4300

Executive branch

President Alpha CONDE (since 21 December 2010) Prime Minister Mohamed Said FOFANA (since 24 December 2010) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held on 27 June 2010 with a runoff election held on 7 November 2010 Alpha CONDE elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote Alpha CONDE 52.5%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO 47.5%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Alpha CONDE (since 21 December 2010)

election results

Alpha CONDE elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote Alpha CONDE 52.5%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO 47.5%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held on 27 June 2010 with a runoff election held on 7 November 2010

head of government

Prime Minister Mohamed Said FOFANA (since 24 December 2010)

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; red represents the people's sacrifice for liberation and work; yellow stands for the sun, for the riches of the earth, and for justice; green symbolizes the country's vegetation and unity uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the reverse of those on the flags of neighboring Mali and Senegal

Government type

republic

Independence

2 October 1958 (from France)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

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

Legal system

civil law system based on the French model

Legislative branch

the legislature was dissolved by junta leader Moussa Dadis CAMARA in December 2008 and in February 2010, the Transition Government appointed a 155 member National Transition Council (CNT) that has since acted in the legislature's place last held on 30 June 2002 (next election scheduled for 12 May 2013)

elections

last held on 30 June 2002 (next election scheduled for 12 May 2013)

National anthem

"Liberte" (Liberty) unknown/Fodeba KEITA adopted 1958

lyrics/music

unknown/Fodeba KEITA

name

"Liberte" (Liberty)

National holiday

Independence Day, 2 October (1958)

Political parties and leaders

National Party for Hope and Development or PEDN [Lansana KOUYATE]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union for the Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean Marie DORE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE] listed are the five most popular parties as of December 2012; overall, there are more than 130 registered parties

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 and Labor Union of Guinean Workers or USTG); Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$1.235 billion $1.61 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$1.61 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$1.235 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

NA% (31 December 2010 est.) 22.25% (31 December 2005)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

27% (31 December 2012 est.) 28% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.754 billion (2012 est.) -$1.215 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$2.652 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $2.997 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39.4 (2007) 40.3 (1994)

Economy - overview

Guinea is a poor country that possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources. The country has almost half of the world's bauxite reserves and significant iron ore, gold, and diamond reserves. However, Guinea has been unable to profit from this potential, as rampant corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, and political uncertainty have drained investor confidence. In the time since a 2008 coup following the death of long-term President Lansana CONTE, international donors, including the G-8, the IMF, and the World Bank, have significantly curtailed their development programs. Throughout 2009, policies of the ruling military junta severely weakened the economy. The junta leaders spent and printed money at an accelerating rate, driving inflation and debt to perilously high levels. In early 2010, the junta collapsed and was replaced by a Transition Government, which ceded power in December 2010 to the country's first-ever democratically elected president, Alpha CONDE. International assistance and investment are expected to return to Guinea, but the levels will depend upon the ability of the new government to combat corruption, reform its banking system, improve its business environment, and build infrastructure. IMF and World Bank programs will be especially critical as Guinea attempts to gain debt relief. International investors have expressed keen interest in Guinea's vast iron ore reserves, which could further propel the country's growth. The government put forward a new mining code in September 2011 that includes provisions to combat corruption, protect the environment, and review all existing mining contracts. Longer range plans to deploy broadband Internet throughout the country could spur economic growth as well.

Exchange rates

Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - 7,100 (2012 est.) 6,658 (2011 est.) 5,726.1 (2010 est.) 5,500 (2009) 5,500 (2008)

Exports

$1.785 billion (2012 est.) $1.433 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

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

Exports - partners

Chile 24.6%, Spain 9.2%, Russia 7.5%, India 5.2%, Germany 5.2%, Ireland 5.1%, US 5%, Ukraine 4.4% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

12.8% 48.5% 38.7% (2012 est.)

agriculture

12.8%

industry

48.5%

services

38.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,100 (2012 est.) $1,100 (2011 est.) $1,100 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.8% (2012 est.) 3.9% (2011 est.) 1.9% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.744 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$12.25 billion (2012 est.) $11.69 billion (2011 est.) $11.25 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.7% 30.3% (2007)

highest 10%

30.3% (2007)

lowest 10%

2.7%

Imports

$2.708 billion (2012 est.) $2.106 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 13.2%, Netherlands 8.1%, US 5.4% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

15% (2012 est.) 21.4% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

4.778 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

76% 24% (2006 est.)

agriculture

76%

industry and services

24% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

47% (2006 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$535.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) $806.8 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.915 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.731 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.515 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.533 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.657 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.38 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

21.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.392 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

888.2 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

68.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

31.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

393,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

955 million kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

8,671 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

8,970 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

government maintains marginal control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio broadcast station also operates several stations in rural areas; a steadily increasing number of privately-owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services (2011)

Internet country code

.gn

Internet hosts

15 (2012)

Internet users

95,000 (2009)

Telephone system

inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system Conakry reasonably well served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding and exceeds 40 per 100 persons country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

domestic

Conakry reasonably well served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding and exceeds 40 per 100 persons

general assessment

inadequate 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

18,000 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4.5 million (2011)

Airports

16 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

3 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3 (2012)

over 3,047 m

1

total

4

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

7

914 to 1,523 m

3

total

12

under 914 m

2 (2012)

Ports and terminals

Conakry, Kamsar

Railways

1,185 km 238 km 1.435-m gauge 947 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

narrow gauge

947 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

total

1,185 km

Roadways

44,348 km 4,342 km 40,006 km (2003)

total

44,348 km

unpaved

40,006 km (2003)

Waterways

1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft in the northern part of the Niger system) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

2,359,203 2,329,784 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,329,784 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,359,203

Manpower fit for military service

1,493,991 1,535,418 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,535,418 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,493,991

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

118,443 115,901 (2010 est.)

female

115,901 (2010 est.)

male

118,443

Military branches

National Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee) (2009)

National Armed Forces

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

Military expenditures

1.1% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

9,972 (Liberia); 6,380 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2011)

refugees (country of origin)

9,972 (Liberia); 6,380 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2011)