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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.gn

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

173 (2007)

Internet users [time series]

50,000 (2006)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system domestic: Conakry reasonably well served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 2 per 100 persons international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

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

26,300 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

189,000 (2005)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

6 (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: $256 million expenditures: $503.9 million (2006 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency (code)) [time series]

Guinean franc (GNF)

Current account balance [time series]

$2 million (2006 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$3.226 billion (2006 est.)

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

38.1 (2006)

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

$182.1 million (2005)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country has almost half of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounts for over 70% of exports. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Investor confidence has been sapped by rampant corruption, a lack of electricity and other infrastructure, a lack of skilled workers, and the political uncertainty due to the failing health of President Lansana CONTE. Guinea is trying to reengage with the IMF and World Bank, which cut off most assistance in 2003, and is working closely with technical advisors from the U.S. Treasury Department, the World Bank and IMF, seeking to return to a fully funded program. Growth rose slightly in 2006, primarily due to increases in global demand and commodity prices on world markets, but the standard of living fell. The Guinea franc depreciated sharply as the prices for basic necessities like food and fuel rose beyond the reach of most Guineans. Dissatisfaction with economic conditions prompted nationwide strikes in February and June 2006.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

832.9 million kWh (2006)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2006)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2006)

Electricity - production [time series]

840 million kWh note: excludes electricity generated at interior mining sites (2006)

Exchange rates [time series]

Guinean francs per US dollar - 5,350 (2006), 3,644.3 (2005), 2,225 (2004), 1,984.9 (2003), 1,975.8 (2002)

Exports [time series]

$956 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

Russia 11.7%, Ukraine 9.6%, South Korea 8.9%, Spain 8.1%, France 7.8%, US 7.8%, Germany 5.4%, Ireland 5.1% (2006)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$3.744 billion (2006 est.)

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

$19.87 billion (2006 est.)

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

agriculture: 23.2% industry: 38.2% services: 38.6% (2006 est.)

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

$2,100 (2006 est.)

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

2.2% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.9% highest 10%: 41% (2006)

Imports [time series]

$704 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

China 8.6%, France 8.1%, Netherlands 4.8%, Belgium 4.4% (2006)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

NA%

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

30% (2006 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

11.1% of GDP (2006 est.)

Labor force [time series]

3.7 million (2006 est.)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 76% industry and services: 24% (2006 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2005 est.)

Oil - consumption [time series]

9,650 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - exports [time series]

Oil - imports [time series]

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2006 est.)

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2006)

Population below poverty line [time series]

47% (2006 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$73.5 million (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

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, Ship Pollution, 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 (2003)

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: 4.47% permanent crops: 2.64% other: 92.89% (2005)

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, salt

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]

name: Conakry geographic coordinates: 9 33 N, 13 42 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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 Phillip CARTER III embassy: Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle mailing address: B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry telephone: [224] 30-42-08-61 through 68 FAX: [224] 30-42-08-73

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300 FAX: [1] (202) 478-3800

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 Lansana KOUYATE (since 26 February 2007) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held in December 2010); the prime minister is appointed by the president election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE 95.3%, Mamadou Bhoye BARRY 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, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Court of First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Legal system [time series]

based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations

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 in 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]; Dyama; National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP (the governing party) [Lansana CONTE]; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Charles Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Mamadou BAH]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Ousmane BAH]

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

National Confederation of Guinean Workers - Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance: National Confederation of Guinean Workers [Rabiatou Sarah DIALLO] and Labor Union of Guinean Workers [Dr. Ibrahima FOFANA]; Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG [Dr. Louis M'Bemba SOUMAH]; National Council of Civil Society Organizations of Guinea CNOSCG [Ben Sekou SYLLA]

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. Guinea has maintained its internal stability despite spillover effects from conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As those countries have rebuilt, Guinea's own vulnerability to political and economic crisis has increased. In 2006, declining economic conditions and popular dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes that sparked urban unrest in many Guinean cities.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 1,852,534 females age 18-49: 1,827,560 (2005 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 18-49: 1,034,006 females age 18-49: 1,032,885 (2005 est.)

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

Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard (2007)

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

1.7% (2006)

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for compulsory military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2006)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 44.3% (male 2,226,414/female 2,183,153) 15-64 years: 52.5% (male 2,611,833/female 2,610,773) 65 years and over: 3.2% (male 138,392/female 177,249) (2007 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

41.53 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Death rate [time series]

15.33 deaths/1,000 population (2007 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: 88.58 deaths/1,000 live births male: 93.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 83.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)

Languages [time series]

French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 49.65 years male: 48.5 years female: 50.84 years (2007 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 29.5% male: 42.6% female: 18.1% (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in some locations water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2007)

Median age [time series]

total: 17.7 years male: 17.5 years female: 17.9 years (2007 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Guinean(s) adjective: Guinean

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)

Population [time series]

9,947,814 (July 2007 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.62% (2007 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: 0.781 male(s)/female total population: 1.001 male(s)/female (2007 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.75 children born/woman (2007 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea, resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 54,810 (Liberia), 5,423 (Sierra Leone), 3,900 (Cote d'Ivoire) IDPs: 19,000 (cross-border incursions from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone) (2006)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

16 (2007)

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 (2007)

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 (2007)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Kamsar

Railways [time series]

total: 837 km standard gauge: 175 km 1.435-m gauge narrow gauge: 662 km 1.000-m gauge (2006)

Roadways [time series]

total: 44,348 km paved: 4,342 km unpaved: 40,006 km (2003)

Waterways [time series]

1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2005)