Profile
Background and figures as recorded in the CIA World Factbook.
Guinea's deep Muslim heritage arrived via the neighboring Almoravid Empire in the 11th century. Following Almoravid decline, Guinea existed on the fringe of several African kingdoms, all competing for regional dominance. In the 13th century, the Mali Empire took control of Guinea and encouraged its already growing Muslim faith. After the fall of the West African empires, various smaller kingdoms controlled Guinea. In the 18th century, Fulani Muslims established an Islamic state in central Guinea that provided one of the earliest examples of a written constitution and alternating leadership.
- Capital
- Conakry
- Government
- presidential republic
- Population
- 14,374,590
- Area
- 245,857 sq km
- Location
- Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
- Climate
- generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds;
- Natural resources
- bauxite; iron ore; diamonds; gold; uranium; hydropower…
- Languages
- French (official); Pular; Maninka; Susu…
- Religions
- Muslim 85.2%; Christian 13.4%; animist 0.2%; none 1.2%
- Independence
- 2 October 1958 (from France)
- Administrative divisions
- 7 administrative regions (régions administratives, singular - région administrative) and 1 governorate (gouvenorat)*;
- Currency
- Guinean francs (GNF)
- Export partners
- UAE 50%; China 36%; India 8%; Switzerland 1%…
- Import partners
- China 39%; India 9%; Netherlands 7%; Belgium 6%…
Source: CIA World Factbook — a work of the US government, in the public domain