Country Information on Guinea

Terrain Guinea can be divided into four physiographic zones: Lower Guinea including the coastal plain (48 km in broadth and 275 km in width); further inland Middle Guinea (with the Fouta Djalon Massif, a plateau with an average elevation of 915 m where Africa's three biggest rivers have their source); Upper Guinea (savannah with gentle hills, interspersed with rock massifs up to 300 m high); and the forested highland areas of the Nimba Mountains in the far south-east, with the country's highest elevation Mount Nimba (1,752 m). Climate The country's climate considerably varies depending on altitude. The highest precipitation rate and the lowest variation in temperature can be found in Lower Guinea. In the highlands and in Upper Guinea there is a dry and cool climate. In the other parts of the country there is one rainy season from April/May to October/November. April is the hottest month, and in July and August the humidity is highest. Fauna/Flora The flora of Guinea contains a large number of species. Along the coast and on the river banks there are dense mangrove forests. The slopes of the Fouta Djalon, which were cleared by extensive slash-and-burn, are covered with low grasses (Cyperaceae) now. Tree-savannah (with shea-butter and tamarind trees) is a dominant feature of Upper Guinea's landscape. The southern highlands are densely covered with tropical rain forest. Guinea has a rich variety of animal species, too. Snakes and crocodiles can be found, as well as plenty of tropical birds, e.g. parrots and turacos. Among the mammals that inhabit Guinea there are leopards, hippopotami, wild boars and antelopes. History/Politics Parts of present-day Guinea belonged to the Mali Empire until the 14th century. Until the 19th century the country was under the influence of the Songhai Empire. From the end of the 15th century on, Portuguese slave traders explored the area. The ruling classes of the Mandingo professed their faith in Islam at quite an early period. The reason why Islam is so popular in Guinea is mainly the missionary fervour of the Torobe clan of the Fulbe. The Torobe founded a theocratic state in the highlands of the Fouta Djalon at the beginning of the 18th century. By the mid-19th century Islamization had progressed to such an extent that a large part of the population had converted to Islam. Only the Mosi states resisted conversion and held to their traditional animistic beliefs. In the second half of the 19th century the French army took Timbuktu, advanced as far as Lake Chad, and subsequently occupied the coast of Guinea. Around 1880 Guinea military leader Samory Touré failed in opposing French expansionist policies and Guinea was made a French colony in 1891. Touré was captured in 1898 and deported to Gabon where he died a few years later. Sékou Touré, a great-grandson of Samory's founded the African Democratic Party of Guinea (PDG) in 1947 and became president of the new nation after Guinea was granted independence in 1958. Guinea soon turned to East European states for help and Touré established a socialist one-party state. In 1961 Guinea, Ghana, and Mali merged to become the Union of African States, but this federation only lasted for two years. After Touré had survived several attempted coups, he blamed superior French officials to try to instigate his overthrow. Furthermore, he broke off all relations between Guinea and France in November 1965. Touré had opted for diplomatic isolation, but he was also incapable of taking appropriate economic measures. This led to national bankruptcy and forced Touré to liberalize his policy. In 1982 a new constitution was proclaimed, which enhanced the power of the ruling Democratic Party of Guinea. One week after Touré's death in March 1984 the government was overthrown by a military coup led by Colonel Lansana Conté, who was elected president in 1993 and whose appointment was confirmed in 1998. Economy The agricultural sector employs 80% of the work force, however, the mining sector accounts for the major portion of export earnings. Guinea possesses over 25% of the world's bauxite reserves. Apart from bauxite (the country's most important export item), aluminium oxide, iron ore, diamonds, and gold are important for export, as well. Further, the country is extremely rich in hydropower resources. Other essential branches of industry include food and tobacco processing. Culture The national holidays are New Year's Day (1 January), Easter, Tabaski (a Muslim holiday commemorating Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son for Allah), a feast at the end of Ramadan, Labour Day (1 May), Mawloud (the birthday of the prophet Mohammed), Independence Day (2 October), All Saints Day, and Christmas Day (25 December). On Muslim holidays many people go to a mosque, visit relatives and friends, and prepare sumptuous meals. At weddings and other celebrations there is often music and dance. Griots (traditional singers) usually honour individual guests with their songs. The person who has been honoured thanks the singers with a small sum of money. Traditional music remains popular with most of the people in Guinea, and some artists have blended Western music with traditional elements. Some of the big names are Bembeya Jazz, Keletigui et ses Tambourinis, and Camayenne Sofa.