Guinea profile

The West African nation of Guinea has a largely poor, rural population. However, its rich mineral deposits could make it one of the wealthiest countries in the region. The capital is Conakry.

Guinea borders Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The Atlantic Ocean is to the west. The Fouta Djallon highlands cover much of central Guinea. West Africa’s three major rivers—the Niger, the Gambia, and the Senegal—begin in the highlands. Guinea has a hot, humid climate with dry winters and wet summers.

Tropical rain forests of teak, mahogany, and ebony trees grow in the southeast. Grasses in northern Guinea may be 5 to 10 feet (1.5 to 3 meters) tall. Baboons, hyenas, and poisonous snakes are common.

Guinea’s main ethnic groups are the Fulani, the Malinke, and the Susu. Each has its own language, though the official language is French. Most of the people are Muslims. Almost two thirds of the people live in rural areas.

Guinea’s economy depends on agriculture and mining. Crops include cassava, rice, oil palm fruit, plantains, sugarcane, peanuts, and coffee. Guinea is one of the world’s top producers of bauxite, which is used to make aluminum. Guinea also has reserves of iron ore, gold, and diamonds.

The Fulani dominated the Fouta Djallon region by the 1500s. By that time the Portuguese had already arrived on the coast. They developed the slave trade, which continued until the 1800s. By 1890 the French had made Guinea a colony.

Guinea gained independence in 1958. The first president ruled as a brutal dictator. In 1984 the army took control of the government. Guinea held its first democratic elections in 1993. Military leaders were elected and remained in power into the 21st century.

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