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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.gn

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

380 (2004)

Internet users [time series]

40,000 (2003)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 4 (one station is inactive), FM 1 (plus 7 repeaters), shortwave 3 (2001)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: poor to fair system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system domestic: microwave radio relay and radiotelephone communication international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

26,200 (2003)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

111,500 (2003)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

6 low-power stations (2001)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber

Budget [time series]

revenues: $410.7 million expenditures: $708.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA million (2003 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

Guinean franc (GNF)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

GNF

Current account balance [time series]

$-252 million (2003)

Debt - external [time series]

$3.25 billion (2001 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

40.3 (1994)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$359.2 million (1998)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country possesses over 30% of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for about 75% of exports in 1999. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Fighting along the Sierra Leonean and Liberian borders, as well as refugee movements, have caused major economic disruptions, including a loss in investor confidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff, while panic buying has created food shortages and inflation in local markets. Guinea is not receiving multilateral aid. The IMF and World Bank cut off most assistance in 2003. Growth should strengthen in 2004, however, because of a slowly improving security situation and increased investor confidence.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

735.2 million kWh (2001)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2001)

Electricity - production [time series]

790.6 million kWh (2001)

Exchange rates [time series]

Guinean francs per US dollar - NA (2003), 1,975.84 (2002), 1,950.56 (2001), 1,746.87 (2000), 1,387.4 (1999)

Exports [time series]

$726 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products

Exports - partners [time series]

South Korea 14.8%, Spain 10.7%, US 10.1%, France 9.2%, Russia 9%, Ireland 7.9%, Belgium 6.4%, Germany 5.6%, Ukraine 5.3% (2003)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $19.02 billion (2003 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 24.9% industry: 38.2% services: 36.9% (2003 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $2,100 (2003 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3% (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.6% highest 10%: 32% (1994)

Imports [time series]

$646 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs

Imports - partners [time series]

France 16.8%, China 9.3%, Belgium 7.1%, Italy 6.6%, Netherlands 5.4%, UK 5.4%, Cote d'Ivoire 4.8%, US 4.5% (2003)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3.2% (1994)

Industries [time series]

bauxite, gold, diamonds; alumina refining; light manufacturing and agricultural processing industries

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

14.8% (2003 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

21.2% of GDP (2003)

Labor force [time series]

3 million (1999)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture 80%, industry and services 20% (2000 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

8,600 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - imports [time series]

NA (2001)

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2001 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

40% (2003 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold (Reserves of foreign exchange & gold) [time series]

$191 million (2003)

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA (2002 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 245,857 sq km land: 245,857 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Oregon

Climate [time series]

generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds

Coastline [time series]

320 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates [time series]

11 00 N, 10 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands

Irrigated land [time series]

950 sq km (1998 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 3,399 km border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 3.63% permanent crops: 2.58% other: 93.79% (2001)

Location [time series]

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season

Natural resources [time series]

bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish

Terrain [time series]

generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou

Capital [time series]

Conakry

Constitution [time series]

23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Guinea conventional short form: Guinea local long form: Republique de Guinee local short form: Guinee former: French Guinea

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Barrie R. WALKLEY embassy: Rue Ka 038, Conakry mailing address: B. P. 603, Conakry telephone: [224] 41 15 20, 41 15 21, 41 15 23 FAX: [224] 41 15 22

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Rafiou Alpha Oumar BARRY chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 478-3010

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993) head of government: Prime Minister Cellou Dalein DIALLO (since 9 December 2004) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held NA December 2008); the prime minister is appointed by the president election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE (PUP) 95.3%, Mamadou Boye BARRY (UPR) 4.6%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

2 October 1958 (from France)

International organization participation [time series]

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNAMSIL, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOCI, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel

Legal system [time series]

based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; legal codes currently being revised; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held NA 2007) election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 2 October (1958)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP [Lansana CONTE] - the governing party; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Siradiou DIALLO]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Army, Navy, Air Force, Republican Guard, Presidential Guard, National Gendarmerie, General Directorate of National Police

Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]

$58.5 million (2003)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

1.7% (2003)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 2,108,948 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 1,064,965 (2004 est.)

Military manpower - military age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for compulsory military service; conscript service obligation - 2 years (2004)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 44.4% (male 2,075,652; female 2,032,936) 15-64 years: 52.4% (male 2,417,440; female 2,428,085) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 127,654; female 164,695) (2004 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

42.26 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Death rate [time series]

15.53 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

3.2% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

9,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

140,000 (2003 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 91.82 deaths/1,000 live births male: 97.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 86.18 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)

Languages [time series]

French (official), each ethnic group has its own language

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 49.7 years male: 48.45 years female: 50.99 years (2004 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 35.9% male: 49.9% female: 21.9% (1995 est.)

Median age [time series]

total: 17.7 years male: 17.4 years female: 17.9 years (2004 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean

Net migration rate [time series]

-3.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population note: as a result of conflict in neighboring countries, Guinea is host to approximately 150,000 Liberian and Sierra Leonean refugees (2004 est.)

Population [time series]

9,246,462 (July 2004 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.37% (2004 est.)

Religions [time series]

Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2004 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.87 children born/woman (2004 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups in Guinea, domestic fighting among disparate rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone have created insurgencies, street violence, looting, arms trafficking, ethnic conflicts skirmishes, deaths, and refugees in border areas; in 2003, Guinea and Sierra Leone established a boundary commission to resolve a dispute over the town of Yenga

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 133,175 (Liberia), 13,633 (Sierra Leone), 7,064 (Cote d'Ivoire) IDPs: 100,000 (cross-border incursions from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire) (2004)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

16 (2003 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 5 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2004 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 11 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 3 under 914 m: 2 (2004 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 30,500 km paved: 5,033 km unpaved: 25,467 km (1999 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 3 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 5,344 GRT/5,003 DWT by type: cargo 1, petroleum tanker 1, roll on/roll off 1 foreign-owned: Iraq 1 (2003 est.)

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Boke, Conakry, Kamsar

Railways [time series]

total: 837 km standard gauge: 175 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 662 km 1.000-m gauge (2003)

Waterways [time series]

1,295 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2003)