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GUINEA, Republic of Guinea. State in West Africa. The capital is the city of Conakry (1.77 million people - 2003). Territory- 245.9 thousand sq. 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.
Geographic location and boundaries.
Continental State. It borders Guinea-Bissau in the northwest, Senegal in the north, Mali in the north and northeast, Ivory Coast in the east, Liberia and Sierra Leone in the south. The western part of the country is washed by waters of the Atlantic Ocean.The length of the coastline is 320 km.
Nature.
The territory of Guinea is divided into four physiographic regions. The first of them, located in the west of the country, - Lower, or Primorskaya, Guinea - is a flat lowland up to 32 km wide, with heights less than 150 m above sea level. The swampy strip of the coast is covered with mangroves, dense rocks come to the surface only in the Conakry region. Lower Guinea is an area of commodity-export agriculture. Mostly representatives of the Susu people live here. The Kogon, Fatala and Konkure rivers cutting through the lowlands originate in the deep valleys of the second region - Central Guinea. Here, the Futa Jallon sandstone massif, with peaks of 1200–1400 m, crosses the country from north to south. The highest point of the plateau, located north of Labe, is Mount Tamge (1538 m). Central Guinea is characterized by the predominance of savannah landscapes, in the highest places there are mountain meadows. The area is inhabited by the Fulbe people. The predominant occupation of the population is animal husbandry.
To the east of the Futa-Jallon massif, on the plains in the basin of the upper reaches of the Niger River, lies Upper Guinea. This is an area of savannas inhabited mainly by malinque farmers.
Forest Guinea, located in the southeast of the country, occupies part of the North Guinea Upland with small massifs of remnant mountains. Here, near the border with Liberia in the Nimba mountains, is the highest point of Guinea (1752 m). In this area, the background is savannas, in some areas, especially along the river valleys, tropical forests have been preserved. In Forest Guinea, there are many small peoples who are engaged in agriculture.
The climate of Guinea is characterized by a pronounced contrast between the wet season, which lasts from May to October (and on the coast - longer than on the plains of the northeast) and the dry season, when a hot wind blows from the northeast - harmatan. With the exception of its northernmost part, the coastal lowland is reliably protected by mountains from dry winds. Moist southwesterly winds bring heavy rainfall that falls on the western slopes of the mountains. The Conakry region is characterized by an average annual rainfall of 4300 mm, of which 4000 mm falls during the wet season. In the interior, an average of 1300 mm falls annually. High temperatures prevail throughout the year, rarely falling below 15°C, and sometimes reaching 38°C.
The Futa-Jallon massif is characterized by the highest population density, where large cattle, sheep and goats, and various crops are grown in the fertile valleys. Of export importance is coffee, which is produced in Central and Upper Guinea, as well as bananas grown in the coastal lowlands and in the valleys near the railway. In a number of coastal areas, mangroves have been cleared for rice fields.
Minerals– diamonds, aluminum, bauxite, granite, graphite, iron, gold, limestone, cobalt, manganese, copper, nickel, pyrite, platinum, lead, titanium, chromium, zinc, etc.
Dense branched river network(Bafing, Kogon, Konkure, Tomine, Fatala, Forekarya, etc.). On the territory of Guinea, the rivers Niger (one of the largest in Africa) and the Gambia originate.
Population.
Malinke live in the interior of the country, mainly in the Niger basin, Susu (presumably the most ancient inhabitants of the savannas) - on the coast, including the strip between Conakry and Kindia. The main occupation of the Mande-speaking peoples, who make up about half of the country's population, is agriculture. The warlike cattle-breeders of the Fulbe, who appeared in these places in the 16th century, inhabit mainly the central part of the country - the Futa-Jallon massif. A number of small ethnic groups are distributed along the coast, on the western slopes of the Phuta Djallon plateau and in Forest Guinea. The old enmity between the Mande-speaking rural population and the Fulbe conquering pastoralists, which has now taken the form of rivalry for political hegemony in the country, has not been eliminated.
Approximately 90% of Guineans are Muslims. Most of the rest are adherents of local traditional beliefs and cults. Although the first Christian missions were established in present-day Guinea in the 19th century, the number of Christians is negligible.
The average population density is 34 people. per 1 sq. km (2002). Its average annual growth is 2.63%. Birth rate - 41.76 per 1000 people, mortality - 15.48 per 1000 people. Child mortality is 90 per 1000 newborns. 44.4% of the population are children under 14 years of age. Residents who have reached the age of 65 - 3.2%. Average age population is 17.7 years. Fertility rate (average number of children born per woman) - 5.79. Life expectancy - 49.5 years (men - 48.34, women - 50.7). (All figures are given in estimates for 2006).
Guinea is a multi-ethnic state. The African population is over 97%, there are approx. 30 nationalities and ethnic groups. The largest of these are Fulbe (40%), Malinke (30%) and Susu (20%) - 2002. Their languages are the most widely spoken of the local languages. OK. 7% of the population are Baga, Basari, Dialonke, Kisi, Kpelle (or Gerze), Landum, Mikifore, Nalu, Tiapi, etc. Approx. 3% of the population are Europeans, Lebanese, Moors and Syrians.
The rural population is over 70% (2004). Large cities (in thousand people, 2003) are Nzerekore (120.1), Kankan (112.2) and Kindia (106.3). Guinean labor migrants and refugees are in Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia and other African and European countries. There are refugees from Sierra Leone in Guinea.
Religions.
According to estimates, 85% of the country's population are Muslims, 8% are Christians (the majority are Catholics), 7% of Guineans adhere to traditional African beliefs (animalism, fetishism, the cult of ancestors, forces of nature, etc.) - 2003.
The first Muslims on the territory of modern Guinea appeared in the 12th century. The massive penetration of Islam began in the 15th-16th centuries. AD from the territory of modern Mauritania and other countries of the Maghreb. Islam of the Sunni () direction of the Maliki persuasion is widespread. The Sufi orders (tarikats) Tijaniya, Qadiriyya, Barkhayya (or Barkiya) and Shadiliyya ( cm. SUFISM). Christianity began to spread in the beginning. 19th century The first Christian missionaries (mostly members of monastic Catholic orders from France) appeared in the country at the end. 19th century
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
State device.
Guinea is a republic. The constitution adopted on December 23, 1991, as amended in November 2001, is in force. The head of state is the president, who, according to this amendment, is elected by universal secret ballot for a 7-year term. The President can be elected to this post more than once. Legislative power is exercised by a unicameral parliament (National Assembly), which consists of 114 deputies elected by popular vote for 5 years. 1/3 of the Parliament is elected from single-member constituencies, and 2/3 - on the basis of proportional representation.
The President is Conte Lansana. Elected December 21, 2003. Previously elected in 1993 and 1998. Has been president since April 5, 1984.
State flag. A rectangular panel consisting of three vertical stripes of the same size - red (at the pole), yellow and green.
administrative device.
The country is divided into 8 provinces, which consist of 34 prefectures.
Judicial system.
Based on the French civil law system. There are the Supreme Judicial Council, the Supreme Court, the High Court, the State Security Court and the Magistrates' Courts.
Armed Forces and Defense.
The national armed forces were created on the basis of the units that were part of the colonial army. In the beginning. In 2005, their number (ground forces, air force and navy) amounted to 20 thousand people. Service in the army (2 years) is carried out on a mandatory basis. In November 2005, mass layoffs were carried out (about 2 thousand people) from the army of officers, incl. and generals. Defense spending in 2005 was $119.7 million (2.9% of GDP).
Foreign policy.
It is based on the policy of non-alignment. Guinea maintains good neighborly relations with Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, including within the framework of the Organization for efficient use resources of the Gambia river. Takes part in solving regional problems in Africa, incl. conflict resolution in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Guinea were established on October 4, 1958. Soviet Union assisted Guinea in the construction of industrial facilities, the establishment of research centers and the training of national personnel. In December 1991, the Russian Federation was recognized as the legal successor of the USSR. In 1990 - early. In the 2000s, intergovernmental contacts continued to develop (including in 2001, President Conte paid an official visit to Moscow), as well as relations in the field of military-technical cooperation, the economy and the training of national personnel for Guinea. Some Russian firms are active in the Guinean market (in May 2006, Russian Aluminum bought the Phrygia bauxite mining complex, located 150 km from the capital).
political organizations.
The country has a multi-party system. The most influential of the political parties:
– « Unity and Progress Party», PEP(Parti de l "unité et du progrès, PUP), leader - Conte Lansana (Lansana Conté), acting general secretary - Sekou Konaté. Ruling party, founded in 1992;
– « Union for Progress and Renewal», SPO(Union pour le progrès et le renouveau, UPR), chaired by Ousmane Bah. The party was created in September 1998 as a result of the merger of the "Party of Renewal and Progress" and the "Union for a New Republic";
– « Unification of the Guinean people», OGN(Rassemblement populaire guinéen, RPG), led by Alpha Condé and Ahmed Tidiane Cissé. Party of the main in 1992.
trade union associations.
"National Confederation of Workers of Guinea", CNTG (Confédération nationale des travailleurs de Guinée, CNTG). Established in 1984. The General Secretary is Mohamed Samba Kébé.
ECONOMY
Guinea belongs to the group of the poorest countries in the world. The basis of the economy is the agricultural sector. OK. 40% of the population is below the poverty line (2003).
Labor resources.
In 2001, the economically active population of the country amounted to 4.1 million people, of which 3.43 million people were employed in agriculture.
Agriculture.
The share of the agricultural sector in GDP is 23.7% (2005). 4.47% of the land is cultivated (2005). The main cash crops are pineapples, peanuts, bananas, coffee, oilseeds and citrus fruits. Sweet potato, legumes, corn, mango, cassava, vegetables, rice, sugarcane, fonio (millet) and yams are also grown. Animal husbandry (breeding of goats, cattle, horses, sheep, donkeys and pigs) and poultry farming are developing. Agriculture is conducted by backward methods with poor technical equipment. It does not fully provide the population with food. In forestry, wood is harvested (including valuable varieties) and sawn timber is produced. The export of raw timber is prohibited. Fishing is carried out in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and rivers. The catch of fish (mullet, mackerel, stingray, sardinella, etc.) and seafood in 2000 was 91.5 thousand tons.
Industry.
Its share in GDP is 36.2% (2005). The main and most dynamically developing industry is the mining industry, which provides up to 80% of foreign exchange earnings. Bauxites (30% of the world's proven reserves), aluminum ore (average annual production averages 2.2 million tons), gold, diamonds, iron and granite are being commercially mined. The manufacturing industry is poorly developed, there are factories and factories for processing fish, producing flour, palm oil, etc.
International trade.
The volume of imports exceeds the volume of exports: in 2005, imports (in US dollars) amounted to 680 million, exports - 612.1 million. The basis of imports are oil products, metal, machinery, vehicles, textiles, grain and food. The main import partners are Côte d'Ivoire (15.1%), France (8.7%), Belgium and China (5.9% each) and South Africa (4.6%) - 2004. Main export commodities - aluminum, bauxite (Guinea is one of the world's largest exporters of them), gold, diamonds, coffee, fish.The main export partners are France (17.7%), Belgium and the UK (14.7% each), Switzerland (12 .8%) and Ukraine (4.2%) - 2004.
Energy.
The energy system of the country is underdeveloped, the demand for electricity is noticeably ahead of the supply. Guinea has significant hydropower potential. Electricity production in 2003 amounted to 775 million kilowatt-hours.
Transport.
Transport infrastructure is poorly developed. The functioning of the roads is complicated by frequent tropical downpours. The first railway was built in 1910. The total length of railways is 837 km (2004). The total length of roads is 44.3 thousand km (4.3 thousand km have hard surface) - 2003. The merchant fleet has 35 ships (2002). The seaports of Kamsar and Conakry are of international importance. The length of river waterways is 1300 km. There are 16 airports and runways (5 of them are paved) - 2005. Gbessia International Airport is located in Conakry.
Finance and credit.
The monetary unit is the Guinean franc (GNF), which is divided into 100 centimes. The national currency was put into circulation on March 1, 1960. In December 2005, the national currency rate was: 1 USD = 2,550 GNF.
Tourism.
Foreign tourists are attracted by the beauty of natural landscapes, historical and architectural monuments, and the original culture of local peoples. In 2000, 32.6 thousand foreign tourists from France (more than 7 thousand), Senegal, Belgium and others visited Guinea. Tourism income in 2002 amounted to 12 million US dollars (in 1998 - 1 million US dollars) .
Attractions - The National Museum in the capital, mosques in the cities of Kankan and Farana, the picturesque waterfall of Bafara, etc. Many Russian travel agencies provide the opportunity to visit Guinea.
SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Education.
In the pre-colonial period, an extensive network of Muslim (Quranic) schools existed on the territory of the country. Already in con. 17th century centers of Muslim education were formed in the cities of Kankan and Tubu. The first European-style schools are open in con. 19th century in Christian missions.
Compulsory is a 6-year education, which children begin to receive at the age of seven. Secondary education (7 years) begins at the age of 13 and takes place in two stages (the first is a four-year study at a college, the second is a three-year study at a lyceum). According to the UNESCO World Humanitarian Development Report 2003, Guinea is among the countries with the lowest rate of girls' access to primary and secondary education.
into the system higher education includes two universities (in the cities of Conakry and Kankan) and institutes located in the cities of Boke and Faranah. In 2002, at the University of Conakry (founded in 1962), 824 teachers worked at four faculties and 5 thousand students studied; . Several research centers operate, incl. Guinea Pasteur Institute and National Institute for Scientific Research and Documentation. In the beginning. 2000s were literate approx. 35.9% of the population (49.9% men and 21.9% women).
Healthcare.
Architecture.
The main type of traditional dwelling is a round (6–10 m in diameter) hut with a cone-shaped thatched roof. In different parts of the country, these huts are distinguished by the material used in the construction of their walls: the so-called. "banco" ( construction material from a mixture of clay and straw), wattle covered with clay, stakes driven into the ground or bamboo mats suspended from wooden frame. The houses of urban residents are mainly rectangular buildings under flat roof and with a kind of terrace. A special type of architecture is the construction of mosques. Business districts of modern cities are built up high-rise buildings brick, reinforced concrete structures and glass. In the design and construction of some administrative and cultural facilities (radio center, the USSR Embassy in Conakry, science Center Rogbane and others) Soviet specialists took part.
Fine Arts and Crafts.
The surviving objects of fine art (helmet-shaped nimbus masks, polychrome banda masks, round sculptures of the Baga and Temne peoples, etc.) of the peoples inhabiting the territory of modern Guinea date back to the 14th-15th centuries. Items ancient art Guineas are represented in expositions and private collections of many museums in the world, incl. Hermitage and the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) in St. Petersburg.
Professional visual arts began to develop after independence. Artists: D.Kadiatou, M.Conde, M.B.Kossa, Matinez Sirena, K.Nanuman, M.K.Fallo, M.Fills. Many of the national artists were educated in the USSR.
Crafts and arts and crafts are well developed - wood and ivory carving, metal processing (casting and chasing), pottery, production of popular prints, leather processing, weaving, jewelry art (including filigree work on gold and silver), and also weaving (making colorful baskets, fans, mats, etc.).
Literature.
Based on the traditions of oral art (myths, songs, proverbs and fairy tales) of local peoples. A large role in the preservation of the folklore tradition belongs to the griots (a caste of wandering actors, storytellers, musicians and singers in the countries of West Africa). In the pre-colonial period, only the Fulbe people had written literary monuments in the local language (large poems called “qasyds”).
Modern literature is developing French. One of the founders of national literature is the writer Kamara Lei. Other writers are William Sasein, Tierno Monemembo, A. Fanture, Emil Sise. Many works of Guinean writers were published in France. Famous Guinean poets are Lunsaini Kaba, Nene Khali and Rai Otra.
Music and theatre.
The national musical culture is diverse, formed as a result of the interaction of the traditions of numerous local peoples. Professional musical art (the creation of palace orchestras at the courts of African rulers) developed in the Middle Ages. The musical culture of Guinea was greatly influenced by Arabic music.
game on musical instruments, songs and dances are an inseparable part of the national culture. Rich musical traditions in Guinea have been preserved and continue to develop today. The musical art of the griots has been preserved, which accompany themselves mainly on the bark (string instrument). The musical instrumentation is diverse: drums (from small tamaru to giant dung-dun - bote, droma, dundumba, tamani, etc.), balafons, castanets, rattles (lala, sistrum vasama), dudaru horn, rattles, flutes (serdu, hula ). There are many stringed instruments: harps (baleil, haububataken), bolen (musical bow), keperu (violin), kerona, keronara (guitar), condival, horses, bark, molar. Orchestral performance of music is popular. The first national orchestra was created in 1959.
Solo and choral singing is widespread. Epic tales and laudatory songs are popular. Famous singers and musicians are Ahmed Traore, M.Vandel, M.Kuyate, Mamamu Kamara, Sori Kandia Kuyate. In 2004, the Guinean kora virtuoso Ba Sissoko (his compositions are a symbiosis of traditional African motifs and modern rhythms) became one of the finalists international competition called "Music of the World" (since 1981, with the aim of promoting the development of national music in the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean, the radio station "Radio France Internationale" has been conducting it).
Elements of the theater were present in numerous ceremonies and rituals that were performed on various holidays. In 1948 an ensemble of African music and dance was created under the name Balle Afriken; after independence, he repeatedly performed on tour in Asia, America and Europe (in 1961 - in the USSR). The professional ballet ensemble "Joliba" performed in the Soviet Union in 1966 and 1971. The French school of William Ponty in Dakar (Senegal) had a great influence on the formation of national theatrical art, in which many Guinean actors, playwrights and directors were trained in the 1930s. One of the first Guinean playwrights is Emile Cisse.
Cinema.
The production of documentaries began in the first half of the 1960s. One of the first documentaries Revolution in action(1966, director A. Aksana), eight and twenty(1967, directed by D. Costa), And freedom came(1969, directed by Sekou Umar Barry). First feature films Black skin(1967) and Yesterday Today Tomorrow(1968), were filmed by director D. Costa. The first feature film was Sergeant Bakary Woolen(1968, directed by Mohammed Lamin Akin). Other film directors are Alfa Bald, A.Dabo, K.Diana, M.Ture. The USSR provided active assistance in the training of national personnel. Since 1968, filmmakers from Guinea have actively participated in international film festivals in Asia and Africa, which were held in Tashkent. Weeks of Guinean cinema were held in Moscow in 1970 and 1973. Until 1992, weeks of Soviet cinema were regularly held in Guinea, later screenings of works by Russian filmmakers were held.
Press, radio broadcasting, television and the Internet.
Published in French:
- daily government newspaper "Horoya" (Horoya, translated from the Susu language - "Dignity");
- Government Gazette "Journal officiel de Guinée" (Guinean Official Gazette), published twice a month;
- Monthly magazine "Fonike" (Fonikee).
The Guinea Press Agency, AGP (Agence guinéenne de presse, AGP) has been operating since 1960 and is located in Conakry. The government's "Guinean Broadcasting and Television Service" (Radiodiffusion-télévision guinéenne, RTG) is also located in the capital. National television has been operating since May 1977. Radio and television programs are broadcast in French, English, Arabic and Portuguese, as well as in some local languages. In 2005, there were 46,000 Internet users in Guinea.
HISTORY
In the 10th-11th centuries. most of the northeast of modern Guinea was part of the state of Ghana. The mines near Sigiri probably produced some of Ghana's gold, which was exchanged in the cities of the Sahel for salt and other goods from North Africa. In the 12th century The empire of Ghana collapsed, and in the 13th century. in its place, the empire of Mali arose, created by the Malinke people. Islam spread widely among the nobility and townspeople. Until the beginning of the 16th century. Mali remained a powerful force in the region. Later, a significant part of the territory of Mali was captured by the Songhai empire of Gao in the east and the state of Tekrur, created by the Fulani, in the west. In the middle of the 17th century. The Bambara of Segou overthrew the Malinque Emperor.
By that time, the center of trade had moved to the coast, where intense competition between Portuguese, English and French slave traders unfolded. However, in this part of the West African coast, the slave trade was less widespread than on the coast of Nigeria, Dahomey and Senegal. After the official ban on the slave trade in the early 19th century. the coastal regions of present-day Guinea continued to attract human traffickers, as the heavily indented coastline provided safe hiding places for slave ships hunted by British warships. In the middle of the 19th century The slave trade was replaced by trade in peanuts, palm oil, hides and rubber. European merchants settled in several trading posts and paid tribute to the leaders of local tribes. The attempts of the leaders to increase the size of the tribute ended with the fact that in 1849 France established its protectorate over the Boke region.
At the beginning of the 18th century on the territory of the Futa-Jallon plateau, a powerful state of the Fulbe arose. Islam became his state religion, which then spread among the inhabitants of the coastal regions, many of whom paid tribute to the Fulbe leaders. Further development of European trade and the creation of new strongholds on the coast in the middle of the 19th century. led to friction between the French and the Fulani leaders, who in 1861 were persuaded to recognize the French protectorate over Boke. A few years earlier, Haj Omar, a militant religious reformer from eastern Senegal, settled in Fouta Djallon. By 1848, his popularity among the local population had grown so much that it began to cause concern among the leaders of the Fulbe. Hajj Omar was forced to move to Dingirai, where he declared jihad (holy war) on the territory of Western Sudan, primarily the kingdoms of Segu and Masina. In 1864, in a battle with the soldiers of Masina, Haj Omar died, and his son Ahmadu took his place. In 1881, he concluded an agreement with the French, according to which the territory along the left bank of the Niger up to Timbuktu came under the protectorate of France. Later, Ahmadu tried to renounce this treaty, but in 1891-1893 he was removed from power by the French.
The longest and most decisive resistance to the French colonialists was provided by Samori Touré. Malinka by ethnicity, he captured Kankan in 1879 and created a Muslim state southeast of Sigiri. In 1887 and 1890, the French concluded treaties of friendship with Samory, but then denounced them, and hostilities resumed. In 1898, the French captured Samory Touré near Man in the west of modern Côte d'Ivoire and sent him into exile, where he died. First World War.
In 1895, Guinea was included in French West Africa, and in 1904, after the British handed over the Los Islands to the French, the borders of the colony were established. During the period of French colonial rule, the Guineans were deprived of elementary political rights, paid a poll tax, they were mobilized for unpaid forced labor and military service.
In 1946, France agreed to the creation of an elected territorial assembly in Guinea and gradually softened the property and educational qualifications for voting. In 1957, the entire adult population of the colony could participate in the elections, and the Government Council was created - a territorial body of executive power, consisting of Guineans.
The influence of the Democratic Party of Guinea (PDG), a grassroots political organization led by trade unionist Sekou Toure, grew rapidly. Thanks to the propaganda work of party activists in 1958, almost the entire population of Guinea voted in a referendum against the new French constitution and for the country's withdrawal from the French Community. As a result, Guinea gained independence on October 2, 1958.
The choice of the Guineans in favor of independence resulted in the loss of French economic assistance and investment, a guaranteed market for export products and technical assistance from qualified specialists. The urgent need for economic and technical assistance forced the new government to turn to the USSR and China for help, which led to even greater isolation of Guinea from France and its allies. In 1965, Guinea severed diplomatic relations with France, accusing her of participating in a conspiracy to overthrow the Guinean government. By the end of the 1960s, Guinea had established relations with a number of Western states, which was largely due to the interest of the country's leadership in foreign investment. However, the nationalization of trade and the agricultural sector resulted in stagnation in all sectors of the Guinean economy, except for mining. Although Sekou Toure himself retained his authority among the population, the government's course became less and less popular, and many thousands of Guineans emigrated.
In November 1970, Guinean emigrants, who were in opposition to the Sekou Toure regime, took part in an armed invasion of Guinea, which was organized with the support of Portugal. This action pursued two main goals: the overthrow of the Sekou Toure government and the defeat of the bases of the partisans who fought for the liberation of Portuguese Guinea (now Guinea-Bissau). The rebels were quickly defeated. After the failed attempt at aggression, mass purges were carried out in the state apparatus and the armed forces of Guinea. In August 1977, a wave of riots swept through the cities, during which several provincial governors appointed by the DPG were killed. After these events, the policy of the Guinean leadership changed dramatically. In the late 1970s, political repression weakened, the masses were able to participate in public life allowed private trade. Guinea's relations with neighboring African states and Western countries have improved. In 1976 diplomatic relations with France were restored.
Sekou Toure died on March 26, 1984, and already on April 3, 1984, a group of military personnel led by Colonel Lansana Conte carried out a bloodless coup. The military authorities disbanded the DPD and released all political prisoners. The economic reforms of the Conte regime did not bring positive results. In 1991, a new constitution was adopted, providing for the creation of a transitional government, and then a multi-party republic. As a first step towards the transition to civilian rule, the activities of political parties were legalized. According to the results of the first multi-party elections in the history of the country, Conte was elected president in 1993. The parliamentary elections of 1995, accompanied by numerous clashes and acts of violence, were won by the Unity and Progress Party, headed by Conte.
In 1996, Conte appointed a new cabinet of ministers and introduced the post of prime minister, appointed by the president. Conte entrusted the government with the task of carrying out the program more energetically. economic reforms, providing for the reduction of public spending, the fight against corruption and the improvement of the efficiency of the tax system.
In the presidential elections held on December 14, 1998, Conte again won (56.1% of the vote). 71.4% of voters participated in the elections. According to the results of the national referendum (November 2001), the term of office of the president of the country, starting from the 2003 elections, was extended to 7 years. In the parliamentary elections (June 30, 2002), a landslide victory (85 out of 114 seats in the National Assembly) was won by the presidential Unity and Progress Party (PEP). The Union for Progress and Renewal (SPO) won 20 seats.
Guinea in the 21st century
The opposition boycotted the presidential elections, which took place on December 21, 2003, and as a result, Conte was re-elected for a third term (95.63% of the vote). 86.1% of voters participated in the elections.
In 2004, mass demonstrations took place in major cities of the country, caused by a sharp increase in the price of rice, the staple food. The opposition accused the government of creating the most difficult economic situation in the country over the past five years. In January 2005, an attempted coup d'état was thwarted, and more than 100 people were arrested on charges of participating in a conspiracy.
GDP is 18.99 billion US dollars, its growth is 2%. Inflation rate - 25%, investment - 17.3% of GDP (data for 2005, estimate). The main financial donors are France, the World Bank and the European Union. In the beginning. In the 2000s, Japan provided significant financial assistance for the development of the agricultural sector of the Guinean economy.
In July 2005, the government implemented a number of political reforms: freedom of association of opposition parties was guaranteed, voter lists were revised, and an independent electoral commission was established. In the municipal elections held in December 2005, the ruling PEP won a landslide victory (gained a majority of votes in 31 out of 38 cities in the country). The last changes in the government were implemented on April 4, 2006. In March 2006, the health of President Conte, suffering from leukemia and diabetes, deteriorated sharply. December 22, 2008 Conte passed away. He ruled the country for 24 years, and two days after his death, a group of army conspirators, who proclaimed themselves the new government, completely captured the capital of the country. Due to the political crisis in the country, protest demonstrations began. All existing laws were repealed, the leader of the military junta Musa Dadis Kamara promised to hold elections in 2010. His intention to run for them caused massive protests in the country. The military junta - the National Council for Democracy and Development (NCDD) - refuses to negotiate peace with the opposition, demonstrations and speeches are dispersed with the use of military force– in September 2009 alone, more than 150 people were killed, many were injured and arrested.
Lyubov Prokopenko
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| Area, sq. km | 245857 |
| Flag |  |
| Population, people | 11176026 (2013) |
| Capital | Conakry |
| Big cities | Conakry, Nzerekore, Kindia |
| date of independence | October 2, 1958 |
| highest point | Nimba (1752 m) |
| Official language | French |
| Religion | Islam (Sunni) |
| Currency unit | Guinean franc |
| Political system | presidential republic |
| Telephone code | +224 |
| Domain zone | .gn |
Guinea is an African state located in the west of the continent. Neighbor states: Côte d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Mali.
In the 19th century, Guinea was under the influence of France, which controlled almost the entire territory of West Africa. A protectorate was created, banana and coffee plantations were planted. However, the French faced a strong opposition. The national liberation movement flared up, led by Sekou Turve. "Better poverty in freedom than wealth in slavery," said A. Sekou Toure, who became the first president of independent Guinea in 1958. The population of Guinea fought for complete liberation from the French, being ardent supporters of the theory of pan-Africanism. As a result, on October 2, 1958, Guinea gained its long-awaited independence. The official language is French.
Guinea is inhabited by ethnic groups, speakers of the Mande and Fulbe language groups. They have little in common, but ethnographically they open up a wide field for research. The Mande peoples are farmers, the Fulbe peoples are pastoralists. The largest ethnic group are the Fula, who live on the arid central plateau. Malinke live in the savannah of Upper Guinea, while Susu live in marshy coastal areas. Forested mountains are located in the southeast of Guinea.
The majority of Guineans are Muslims, a small number of the population adheres to traditional beliefs and rituals.
The financial situation of Guinea remains difficult, despite the huge reserves of bauxite and diamonds that lie in the bowels of the country. Guinea has many natural resources. The mining industry is very developed. Bauxites, diamonds, gold, black and non-ferrous ores are mined here. Thanks to the vast water reserves, the hydropower industry is also developed. The economy is agricultural in nature, as the main activity remains Agriculture. Moreover, the economy is often focused not on commodity, but on subsistence farming. Over 70% of the population is employed in the rural economy. Grow bananas, corn, cassava, rice, cocoa. More than half of the territory of the state is occupied by forests.
Guinea has a military form of government. The economy is controlled by the government. The President is the head of state and government.
The nature of this region is very picturesque due to the contrasts. Either vast arid lands stretch before you, or impenetrable evergreen jungles. The heights of Futa - Dzhallon (over 1500 m) attract the attention of tourists. The Bafar waterfall further decorates this plateau, perfect in the natural sense. Ile - de - Los - a group of islands in the Atlantic, not far from the mainland, designed for sophisticated tourists. It has all the conditions for a great holiday, including cruises. The richness of biological species adorns the already outlandish picture of the unique African landscape.
Friendly hospitable people and a pleasant climate will complement the dignity of Guinea.
History of Guinea
- XV century: the territory of Guinea was part of the early state formations of Ghana and Mali.
- 18th century: in the center of the countries, a military-theocratic state of the cattle-breeding tribes of the Fulbe Futa Dzhallon was formed.
- Second half of the 19th century: France took over the country. The Europeans carried on a predatory slave trade, especially in the coastal regions.
- 1889-1893: Guinea is declared a French colony, in 1895 it is separated into a separate colony called French Guinea.
- 1958: Guinea gained independence. President Sekou Toure established an authoritarian regime.
- 1979-1984: The country was called the People's Revolutionary Republic of Guinea.
- 1984: after the death of C. Touré, the military came to power.
- 1990: A new constitution ends the military regime. Establishment of a multiparty system.
The territory of modern Guinea has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the Middle Ages, the territory of modern Guinea was part of various African states. Then Europeans began to arrive here, and by the 17th century they were already selling Guineans into slavery on American plantations. From 1891 to 1958 Guinea was a French colony. Sekou Toure's government failed to improve the standard of living of the population, and after his death, in 1984, power passed to the military government, headed by Colonel Lansana Conte. The first multi-party elections, held in Guinea in 1993, were again won by the Conte government.
Interesting facts about Guinea:
- Guinea has huge reserves fresh water in West Africa in the form of the Niger River.
- Guinea is the world's largest supplier of bauxite.
- Sekou Toure was the man who ruled Guinea from 1958 to 1984.
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.
Animal world Guinea is represented by large mammals (elephant, hippo, 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 local tribes, and when they took up arms, in 1849 France proclaimed all this land to be 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 potable 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 (Great) 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 public demonstrations 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 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 the regular army 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.
To date, pepper has replaced malagetta from consumption, now guinea pepper is used only as a local spice in Central Africa and in the US as a spice to flavor bitters, vinegars, and even English ales.
■ 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.
(Republic of Guinea)
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.
Area. 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. 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.