Country Information on Guinea 

Terrain

Guinea can be divided into four large geographical zones: Lower Guinea which includes the coastal plain (around 48 km wide and 275 km long); Middle Guinea which is formed by the Fouta Djalon Massif, where the sources of eastern Africa's three biggest rivers are located; Upper Guinea (at an average of 300m which is savannah with gentle hills, interspersed with rock massifs); and the forested highland areas of the Nimba Mountains in the far south-east, with the country's highest peak Mount Nimba (1,752 m).

Climate

The country's climate varies considerably because of differences in altitude. The highest precipitation rate and the lowest variation in temperature are recorded in Lower Guinea. The climate in the mountainous areas and in Upper Guinea is dry and cool. In the other parts of the country the rainy season lasts from April/May to October/November. April is the hottest month, and humidity is highest in July and August.

Fauna/Flora

Guinea's flora is rich in species. Along the coast and on the river banks there are dense mangrove forests. The slopes of the Fouta Djalon, which were cleared by extensive slash-and-burn, are now covered with a specific type of grass (Cyperaceae). Savannah trees (with shea-butter and tamarind trees) are typical of Upper Guinea's landscape.

The mountains in the south are densely covered in a dense tropical rainforest. Guinea also has a great variety of animal species. Snakes and crocodiles are found, as well as a large number of tropical birds such as parrots and turacos. Leopards, hippopotamuses, wild boars and antelopes are some of the mammals that are found.

History/Politics

Parts of Guinea were part of the Mali Empire until the 14th century; the Songhai ruled from then onwards until the 19th century. Portuguese slave traders explored the area from the end of the 15th century. The ruling classes of the Mandingo followed Islam early on and the dominance of Islam in Guinea can be traced back to the missionary zeal of the Torobe clan of the Fulbe. The Torobe founded a theocratic state in the Fouta Djalon area at the beginning of the 18th century.

By the mid-19th century, a large proportion of the population had already converted to Islam. It was only the Mosi states that resisted conversion and held to their traditional animistic beliefs. Around 1880 Samory Touré, a Guinean military leader, failed in opposing French expansionist policies and Guinea became a French colony in 1891. Touré was captured in 1898 and deported to Gabon where he died a few years later.

Sékou Touré, Samory's great-grandson, founded the Democratic Party of Guinea (PDG) in 1947 and became president of the new nation after Guinea gained independence in 1958. The French immediately retaliated which meant that Guinea soon turned to Eastern Europe for help and was turned into a socialist one-party state.

In 1961 Guinea, Ghana and Mali formed the Union of African States, but this federation was dissolved two years later. Having survived several attempted coups, Touré blamed high-ranking French officials for trying to overthrow him and in November 1965 he severed all relations with France. The diplomatic isolation that had been imposed by Touré and inadequate economic measures pushed the country into bankruptcy and forced Touré to follow more liberal policies.

In 1982 a new constitution was adopted, which increased the power of the ruling DPG. One week after Touré's death in March 1984, the government was overthrown in a military coup led by Colonel Lansana Conté, who immediately took steps to stabilise the economy. He was named president again in 1993 and re-elected in 1998. A constitutional referendum paved the way for Lansana to stand for presidency once again in 2003 and he was re-elected.

Economy

80% of the working population is employed in the agricultural sector, while mining exports bring in the most revenue. Guinea has over 25% of the world's bauxite reserves. Bauxite is the country's most important export, followed by kaolin, iron ore, diamonds and gold. Guinea has a great potential to produce hydroelectric energy. Other branches of industry include tobacco and food processing. The inflation rate was 6.2% in 2003.

Culture

National holidays include New Year's Day (1 January), Easter, Tabaski (a Muslim holiday commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah), a feast at the end of Ramadan, Labour Day (1 May), Mawloud (the birthday of the prophet Mohammed), Independence Day (2 October), All Saints Day (1 November), and Christmas Day (25 December). On Muslim holidays many people go to mosques, visit relatives and friends, and prepare sumptuous meals.

At weddings and other celebrations there is often music and dance and Griots (traditional singers) usually honour individual guests with their songs. The person who has been honoured thanks the singers with a small sum of money. Traditional music remains popular with most Guineans, and some artists have blended Western music with traditional elements. Some of most well-known names are Bembeya Jazz, Keletigui et ses Tambourinis, and Camayenne Sofa.