Guinea - Country facts
Location
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Background
Guinea has had only two presidents since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984, when the military seized the government after the death of the first president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2003. Unrest in Sierra Leone and Liberia has spilled over into Guinea on several occasions over the past decade, threatening stability and creating humanitarian emergencies.
Climate
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain
generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
Population
9,467,866 (July 2005 est.)
Ethnic Groups
Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%
Religions
Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
Languages
French (official), each ethnic group has its own language
Map of Guinea
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