About the Country of Guinea
OVERVIEW
Officially known as the Republic of Guinea, the country lies on the
extreme Western boarder of Africa, with a portion of the country and
its capital of Conakry adjoining the atlantic ocean.
It neighbors include Guinea-Bissau and Senegal to the north, Mali and Ivory Coast to the east, and Liberia and Sierra Leone to the south. Similar in size to the UK, Guinea has a population of around 10 million.
Guinea's land is rich in natural resources. Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation.
The country has the
potential to be one of Africa's richest thanks to its mineral reserves,
notably bauxite, used to make aluminum. The country possesses over 30%
of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second largest bauxite producer.
ENVIRONMENT
Guinea’s landscape is spectacular. The country has some
of the world’s few remaining tropical dry forests, and the rainforests
that remain in the south are lush and verdant and full of wildlife. The
waterfall-rich Fouta Djalon Plateau in the west has breathtaking scenery
and some of the best hiking in West Africa. Guinea is not well endowed
with beaches, but those it has are superb; and often empty. Its capital,
Conarky, while not heavy on the must-sees, has a vibrant nightlife and
is safer than most other West African capitals.
FACTS
• Full name: The Republic of Guinea
• Population: 9.6 million (UN, 2008)
• Capital: Conakry
• Area: 245,857 sq km (94,926 sq miles)
• Major languages: French, various tribal languages
• Major religions: Islam, Christianity, indigenous beliefs
• Life expectancy: 54 years (men), 58 years (women) (UN)
• Monetary unit: 5000 Guinean franc = $1 USD
• GNI per capita: US $400 (World Bank, 2007)
• Internet domain: .gn
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