Guinea: a brief description of the country. Full description of Guinea Supreme executive body
In an area with heavily indented banks. A narrow strip of lowland stretches along the coast, and the farther into the interior of the continent, the higher the relief becomes, rising in uneven ledges, called the Futa-Jallon Plateau. The entire southeast of the country is occupied by the North Guinea Upland, where the Nimba Mountains and the highest peak of the country are located. In the northeast, there is a plain in the basin of the upper reaches of the Niger River. In general, there are many rivers in the country, but they are all short, swift and blocked by rapids, which is why they are navigable only at the mouth, and even then only a few.
Guinea is hot and humid all year round, so much so that even during the dry season, the humidity in the capital does not fall below 85%.
The vegetation of Guinea has been noticeably changed: for centuries, deforestation has been going on here for shipbuilding and just for firewood. As a result, heavily sparse secondary forests remained in the south and in the center.
The north is a zone of savannas, and stretches of mangrove forests stretch along the coast.
The fauna of Guinea is represented by large mammals (elephant, hippopotamus, leopard, cheetah), many snakes live here, and the scourge of these places is insects that spread fever, malaria and "sleeping sickness". The latter circumstance was the reason that the development of these places by European colonialists was rather slow.
So far, science does not have data on the ancient history of the country. It is known for sure that in the VIII-XI centuries. most of the northeast of modern Guinea was part of the state of Ghana. Even then, gold was mined here, which was exported to the north, to the Sahel states, where they were exchanged for salt and other goods from North Africa.
In the XII century. The empire of Ghana collapsed, in its place the empire of Mali arose, founded by the Malinke people. At the same time, in the 12th century, Islam penetrated and gained a foothold in the territory of modern Guinea. In the XV-XVI centuries. began a massive penetration of Islam from the territory of present-day Mauritania and other countries of the Maghreb.
This stage in the history of present-day Guinea coincided with the appearance of Portuguese, English and French slave traders on its coast. They were attracted by numerous bays and gulfs, where, even after the prohibition of slavery, slave ships hid from British military frigates.
The basis of the current statehood of Guinea and its borders was laid by the Fulbe people, at the beginning of the 18th century. who created on the territory of the Futa-Jallon plateau (where they still live today) a strong Islamic state of the same name.
In the middle of the XIX century. the slave trade began to decline, Europeans began to trade with local tribes, buying peanuts, malagueta peppers, palm oil, skins of wild animals and rubber. They were mostly French, who called this place the Pepper Coast. At first they built forts for their own protection, then they refused to pay tribute to the kings of the local tribes, and when they took up arms, in 1849 France proclaimed all this land its protectorate, and then a colony within French West Africa.
Only in 1958, the popular resistance forces were able to hold a referendum in Guinea for the independence of the country, which was proclaimed in the same year.
The Republic of Guinea is located on the West African coast of the Atlantic Ocean; deep river valleys and rolling low mountains make Guinea look like a mountainous country. The heights gradually rise from the coastal lowlands to a plateau in the interior of the country with a height of over one and a half kilometers.
The Mande and the Fulbe are the two peoples that make up the majority of the country's population. Relations between them are far from simple, and the reasons for this lie in the way of life and history of both peoples.
The majority of the population of Guinea are three peoples: Fulbe (partially retaining a nomadic lifestyle), Malinke (Mandinka) and Susu. Fulbe cattle breeders inhabit mainly the central part of the country, Malinka settled inland areas, mainly in the Niger basin, and Susu - the Atlantic coast. The inter-ethnic contradictions between the rural population speaking the Mande languages and the Fulbe conquering cattle breeders have not been completely eliminated. Thanks to the efforts of international organizations, they have abandoned armed conflicts and are now fighting for political power in the country.
In the cities, communities of a few descendants of French settlers have survived. The legacy of colonial times is French, which has become the language of interethnic communication for the three main peoples of the country, although a relatively small part of the population speaks it. The country pursues a policy of supporting the study of national languages (officially there are eight), for which writing has even been created based on the Latin alphabet.
The vast majority of the population is Muslim, but the traditions of animism and belief in ancestral spirits are very strong and prevalent even in cities.
Guinea is the world center of bauxite mining (the country has the largest reserves of bauxite in the world), large deposits of diamonds, iron ore and other metals have been found here. However, all this is an export product, and the country itself, by all indicators, is one of the poorest in the world.
Most of the local able-bodied population is employed in agriculture, the products of which are consumed right there in the country. Therefore, the bulk of the population is concentrated in the region of the Futa-Dzhallon plateau, where cattle, sheep and goats graze in the mountain meadows of the Fulbe, and various crops are grown in the fertile valleys.
Guinea's economy is suffering from severe deforestation, lack of drinking water, the spread of desert from north to south, significant overfishing and the devastating effects of mining on the environment. The development of the country is also hampered by political instability and the spread of epidemic diseases. The measures taken by the government to solve these problems have not yet given the desired effect.
The country's capital, Conakry, is a major port on the Atlantic coast. It has an unusual location: it is located on the Calum Peninsula and the island of Tombo (Tolebo), connected by a causeway to the mainland, and the island is the central area of the city. The main economic center of the country, most of the industrial enterprises are concentrated here.
Conakry is a relatively young city; modern buildings appeared here only in the 1960s. The main attraction of the city is the Great (Big) Mosque, one of the largest in West Africa, where the burials of the national heroes Samori (circa 1830-1900), Sekou Toure (1922-1984) and Alpha Mo Labe (1850s- 1912). A particularly revered place throughout the country is the Monument to the Victims erected in the city on November 22, 1970, when the Portuguese army occupied Conakry.
The political situation in the country remains unstable, the leaders of the tribes share power by creating their own political parties, the military stage coups, mass strikes and protests of the population periodically sweep across the country.
general information
Location: West Africa.Administrative division: 8 provinces (Boke, Conakry, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamu and Nzerekore), 33 prefectures.
Capital: Conakry - 1,886,000 people (2014).
Large cities: Kankan - 472,112 people. (2014), Nzerekore - 280,256 people. (2012), Kindia - 181,126 people. (2008), Farana - 119,159 people. (2013), Labe - 107,695 people. (2007), Mamu - 88,203 people. (2013), Bokeh - 81,116 people. (2007).
Languages: French (official), national (Fula, Mandinka, Susu, Baga, Basari).
Ethnic composition: Fulbe - 40%, Malinka - 26%, Susu - 11%, other - 23%, more than 20 ethnic groups in total (2013).
Religions: Islam - 85%, Christianity (Catholicism, Evangelicalism) - 8%, Animism - 7% (2013).
Currency unit: Guinean franc.
Large rivers: the sources of the Niger and the Gambia, as well as Bafing, Kogon, Konkure, Tomine, Fatala, Forekarya.
Airport: Gbessia International Airport (Conakry).
Neighboring countries and water areas: in the northwest - Guinea-Bissau, in the north - Senegal, in the north and northeast - Mali, in the east - Ivory Coast, in the south - Liberia and Sierra Leone, in the west - the Atlantic Ocean.
Numbers
Area: 245,857 km2.Population: 11,474,383 (2014).
Population density: 46.7 people / km 2.
Employed in agriculture: 76% (2014).
Below the poverty line: 47% (2006).
The length of the land border: 4046 km.
coastline length: 320 km.
highest point: Mount Richard-Molar (Nimba Mountains, 1752 m).
Climate and weather
Equatorial, humid and hot.Seasons: monsoons - June-November, dry - December-May.
Average annual temperature: +27°С on the coast, +20°С in the center (Phuta-Jallon Plateau), +21°С in upper Guinea.
Average annual rainfall: Atlantic coast - 4300 mm, inland areas - 1300 mm.
Relative humidity: 80-85%.
Dusty harmattan wind(West African trade wind).
Economy
GDP: $15.31 billion (2014), per capita $1,300 (2014)
Minerals: bauxites, diamonds, iron, uranium, cobalt, manganese, copper, nickel, pyrite, platinum, lead, titanium, chromium, zinc, rock salt, granite, graphite, limestone.
Industry: metalworking, food (fish canning), chemical, textile, woodworking, cement.
Seaports: Conakry, Kamsar, Benti.
Agriculture: crop production (rice, corn, millet, sorghum, cassava, peanuts, bananas, coffee, pineapples, apples, citrus fruits, strawberries, mangoes, papaya, avocados, guava, cinchona), animal husbandry (semi-nomadic, small cattle).
Sea fishing(mullet, mackerel, stingray, sardinella).
traditional crafts: wood carving (red and black) and bone, straw weaving (bags, fans, mats), weaving, ceramics, leather, metal and stone products, raffia fiber weaving, making musical instruments.
Service sector: tourism, transport, trade.
Attractions
■ Natural: Phuta Jallon Plateau and Phuta Jallon National Park, Marie, Tinkiso and Bafara Falls, Fuyama Rapids, Caquimbon Caves, Ile de Los Islands, Niger and Gambia Upper Rivers, Nimba, Tange and Gangan Mountains, Nimba Mountains Nature Reserve, Milo River, Tinkiso River Biosphere Reserve, Guinean forest avanna ecological region, Tombo Island.■ City of Conakry: Great (Great) Mosque (1982), Monument to the Victims of November 22, 1970, Saint-Marie Cathedral (1930s), November 8 Bridge, National Museum, Botanical Garden, Presidential Palace, Museum of National Arts , People's Palace, March Madina and Niger Markets, September 28 Stadium, University of Conakry Gamal Abdel Nasser.
Curious facts
■ In order not to confuse Guinea with Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Guinea is sometimes referred to by its capital, Guinea-Conakry.■ The name of the state of Guinea comes from the name of the large African geographical region of the same name, in the XIV century. appearing on European maps. Presumably this name comes from a modified Berber word "iguaven" (mute), which the Berbers called the black population south of the Sahara, who did not understand their language.
■ In 1970, during the suppression of the struggle for the independence of the Portuguese colony of Guinea-Bissau, which was supported by Guinea, the Portuguese army captured its capital for one day. The goal was to arrest the leadership of the rebels and weapons depots, as well as the release of Portuguese prisoners of war and the overthrow of Guinean President Ahmed Sekou Toure. The Portuguese plan was partially successful: they failed to overthrow the Sekou Toure regime. This episode remains the only example in recent history when a regular army of a European state captured the capital of an independent African country, even if only for one day.
■ The Guinea Fouta Djallon Plateau has been nicknamed “Water pumping station of West Africa” among geographers: the largest rivers of the region, the Gambia and Senegal, begin here.
■ Travelers note the bright red or red-brown color of the soils of the savannahs and forests of Guinea, rich in iron oxides.
■ Mount Richard Molar is located directly on the border between Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea and is the highest peak in both countries at the same time.
■ Guinean malagueta pepper is actually a plant of the ginger family, whose unusually hot taste is combined with a sharp, sharp aroma peculiar only to this pepper. From the 13th century malagetta began to be used as an independent spice or replacing black pepper in England, and later in Canada, the USA, and Australia.
By now, pepper has displaced malagetta, and now guinea pepper is used only as a local spice in Central Africa and in the United States as a spice to add flavor to liqueurs, vinegar, and even English ale.
■ The Île de Los Archipelago are six islands off the Atlantic coast of Guinea. The islands began to be settled only at the beginning of the 20th century. At first, the British moved here, and then, in exchange for the abandonment of fishing in Newfoundland and Labrador, the French moved here.
Guinea on Africa map
(all images are clickable)
Geographical position
Guinea is a state in West Africa washed by the waters of the Atlantic, the length of the coastal strip is 320 km. The areas adjacent to the coastline are located in the lowlands; There are many islands along the Atlantic coast of Guinea. Neighbors are:
- in the northwest - Guinea-Bissau;
- in the north - Senegal;
- in the north and northeast - Mali;
- in the east - Côte d'Ivoire;
- in the south - Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The area of the country is 245.8 thousand km².
The climate is equatorial. The average annual temperature is +28 °C.
Guinea is characterized by two pronounced seasons - dry and wet, the last of which lasts from May to October (during this period about 4300 mm of precipitation falls - almost the entire annual norm).
Flora and fauna
About 60% of the territory is occupied by evergreen tropical forests: they cover almost the entire southeastern part of the state.
Elephants and hippos, leopards and cheetahs, wild boars are common among animals. Lots of snakes and crocodiles.
State structure
Guinea map
Guinea is a unitary republic divided into 33 prefectures and one special zone (Conakry). The head of state is the president, but virtually all power belongs to the military.
The local currency is the Guinean franc. The capital is the city of Conakry.
Population
The population is 11.5 million people. In total, about 30 peoples live on the territory of the country, the largest of them are Fulbe, Kisi, Mande; a significant part are Europeans, Lebanese and Syrians. The official language is French, but the main languages spoken are Fulbe, Malinke, and Susu. About 75% of the inhabitants profess Islam, there are Christians and adherents of local traditional beliefs.
Economy
Guinea is an agrarian state with a developed mining complex (it has the world's largest bauxite deposits).
About 80% of the able-bodied population is employed in agriculture, however, the country cannot completely provide itself with food, and is forced to buy it. The main crops are rice, cassava and corn; the main export crops are banana, chocolate tree, oil palm, pineapple and peanut. Animal husbandry is diversified, the priority is cattle, sheep, goats and poultry. The industry is dominated by enterprises processing agricultural raw materials.
Before the arrival of Europeans in West Africa, these lands were the property of the empires of Ghana and Mali. In 1892, the French colony was formed Guinea, which was part of French West Africa. The country acquired independence in 1958 - two years earlier than all other states of West Africa.
Attractions
When entering the country, a medical certificate is required, in which there is a mark on vaccination against yellow fever.
From the country, the export of handicrafts made of ivory, animal horns, wood and animal skins is prohibited.
The main attractions of Guinea are picturesque landscapes, exotic animals and plants, which are diverse. Of the architectural and historical monuments, ancient fortresses of the first European settlers, mosques and palaces are of interest.
Guinea is a state in West Africa. In the north it borders on Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Mali, in the east and southeast - on Côte d'Ivoire, in the south - on Liberia and Sierra Leone. In the west it is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
The name of the country comes from the Berber iguawen - "mute".
Capital: Conakry.
Square: 245857 km2.
Population: 7614 thousand people
Administrative division: The state is divided into 8 provinces.
Form of government: Republic.
Head of State: President elected for a term of 5 years.
Big cities: Cancan, Labe, Nzerekore.
Official language: French.
Religion: 85% are Sunni Muslims.
Ethnic composition: 35% - Fulani, 30% - Malinke, 20% - Su-Su, 15% - other tribes.
Currency: Frank = 100 centimes.
Climate
The climate of Guinea varies depending on the topographic zones, mainly subequatorial. In the coastal strip, the average annual temperature is + 27 °С, in Phuta Djallon - about + 20 °С, in upper Guinea + 21 °С. The hottest month of the year is April, while the rainiest months are July and August. The rainy season lasts from April-May to October-November. On the coast for 170 rainy days a year, up to 4300 mm of precipitation falls, in the interior - no more than 1500 mm.Flora
The vegetation on the territory of Guinea is quite diverse: dense mangrove forests, coconut palm, Guinean oil palm, and other exotic plants grow along the ocean coast. In the region of Upper Guinea - savannah, and in the region of Lower Guinea - impenetrable jungle.Fauna
Representatives of the animal world of Guinea, which is quite rich, are an elephant, a leopard, a hippopotamus, a wild boar, a panther, an antelope, many monkeys (especially baboons living) "in herds). A large number of snakes and crocodiles, as well as parrots and banana-eaters (turako) live.
Rivers and lakes. The largest rivers are Bafing, Gambia, Senegal, the Niger River (here it is called Joliba) and Milo originate here.
Attractions
National Museum with a rich collection of exhibits, including historical and ethnographic.Useful information for tourists
The Republic of Guinea, first of all, attracts visitors with its picturesque elevated landscapes of the Futa Djallon highlands, an excellent road network by African standards (especially in the southeast) and an impressive contrast between the dry northern valleys and the endless jungle in the southern regions.
Nzerekore is the cheapest city in Guinea and the starting point for ecological excursions to the forest zone, famous for its inhabitants - forest elephants, numerous primates, it is also one of the few places in Africa where you can still find a forest leopard. The local market is considered the largest transshipment base for goods from neighboring countries, so you can buy almost everything here at a modest price.
(Republic of Guinea)
General information
Geographical position. Guinea is a state in West Africa. In the north it borders on Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Mali, in the east and southeast, on Ivory Coast, in the south, on Liberia and Sierra Leone. In the west, it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean.
Square. The territory of the Republic of Guinea occupies 245,857 sq. km.
Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital of the Republic of Guinea is Conakry. The largest cities: Conakry (1,508 thousand people), Kankan (278 thousand people), Labe (273 thousand people), Nzerekore (250 thousand people). Administrative-territorial division of the country: 8 provinces.
Political system. Guinea is a republic. The head of state is the president, the head of government is the prime minister.
Relief. Guinea has four main topographic regions: lower Guinea - a coastal plain that stretches 275 km long and 50 km wide; middle Guinea (Futa-Jalon) - a mountainous plateau up to 910 m high; upper Guinea-savanna with low hills up to 300 m in height; lower Guinea is a mountainous part of the country where the Nimba ridge is located (the highest point in the country is 1,752 m).
Geological structure and minerals. The bowels of the country contain reserves of bauxite, iron ore, gold, diamonds, and uranium.
Climate. The climate of Guinea is different in different topographical zones. In the coastal strip, the average annual temperature is about + 27 ° С, in Futa-Jalon - about + 20 ° С, in upper Guinea + 21 ° С. The rainy season lasts from April or May to October or November. The hottest month of the year is April, the rainiest is July or August.
Inland waters. The main rivers are Bafing and Gambia, in Guinea the Niger and Milo rivers also originate.
Soils and vegetation. The vegetation of Guinea is quite diverse: from dense mangrove forests along the ocean coast to the savannah of upper Guinea and the dense jungle of lower Guinea.
Animal world. The fauna is represented by leopards, hippos, wild boars, antelopes. The country has a large number of snakes and crocodiles, as well as parrots and turaco (banano-eaters).
Population and language
The population of the Republic of Guinea is about 7.477 million people, the average
population density of about 30 people per 1 sq. km. km. Ethnic groups: Fulani_
35%, Malinke 30%, Susu 20%, other tribes 15%. Languages: French (state), Malinke, Susu, Fulani, Kisi, Basari, Loma, Koniagi, Kpele.
Religion
Muslims - 85%, Christians - 8%, pagans - 7%.
Brief historical outline
The northern and eastern parts of the territory of modern Guinea were once part of the empires of Mali and Songhai. In the XVIII century. a theocratic Islamic state was established. In 1891 Guinea became a colony of France, in 1906 - part of French West Africa. On October 2, 1958, the Republic of Guinea declared independence. In March 1984, the military came to power in a bloodless military coup.
Brief economic essay
Guinea is an agricultural country with a relatively developed mining industry. Main cash crops: coffee, bananas, pineapples, oil palm. Livestock. Fishing. Extraction of bauxites, diamonds, gold. Enterprises for the processing of agricultural products; sawmills, textile, bicycle assembly. Export: bauxites, alumina, diamonds, gold, agricultural products.
The monetary unit is the Guinean franc.
Art and architecture. Conakry. National Museum with a rich collection of exhibits.
Republic of Guinea. State in West Africa. Capital Conakry (1.77 million people 2003). Territory 245.9 thousand sq. m. km. Administrative-territorial division 8 provinces. Population 9.69 million people (2006, estimate). Official language French. Religion Islam, Christianity and traditional African beliefs. Currency unit Guinean franc. National holiday October 2, Independence Day (1958). Guinea has been a member of the UN since 1958, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1963, and since 2002 its successor, the African Union (AU). Member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since 1975, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) since 1969, the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF), the Union of the States of the Mano River Basin (CHM) since 1980.
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