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'{{other uses}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2012}} {{Coord|11|N|10|W|display=title}} {{Infobox country | conventional_long_name = Republic of Guinea | common_name = Guinea | native_name = ''République de Guinée'' {{resize|70%|([[French language|French]])}} | image_flag = Flag of Guinea.svg | image_coat =Coat of arms of Guinea-new.svg | national_motto = {{native phrase|fr|"Travail, Justice, Solidarité"|italics=off}}<br/>{{small|"Work, Justice, Solidarity"}} | national_anthem = {{native name|fr|[[Liberté (anthem)|Liberté]]}}<br/>{{small|''Freedom''}}<br/><center>[[File:National Anthem of Guinea by US Navy Band.ogg]]</center> | image_map = Location Guinea AU Africa.svg | map_caption = {{map caption|countryprefix=|location_color=dark blue|region=Africa|region_color=dark grey|subregion=the [[African Union]]|subregion_color=light blue}} | image_map2 = Guinea - Location Map (2013) - GIN - UNOCHA.svg | capital = [[Conakry]] | coordinates = {{Coord|9|31|N|13|42|W|type:city}} | largest_city = capital | official_languages = [[French language|French]] | languages_type = [[Vernacular language|Vernacular<br/>language]]s | languages = {{unbulleted list | [[Fula language|Fula]] | [[Mandinka language|Mandinka]] | |[[Susu language|Susu]]}} | ethnic_groups = {{unbulleted list | 45.0% [[Fula people|Fula]] | 25.0% [[Mandinka people|Mandinka]] | 13.0% [[Susu people|Susu]] | 5.0% [[Kissi people|Kissi]] | 5.0% [[Kpelle people|Kpelle]] | 7.0% others<ref name="guinea_stats">{{cite web|title=Nations Online: Guinea – Republic of Guinea – West Africa|url=http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/guinea.htm|publisher=Nations Online|accessdate=25 August 2014|deadurl=no|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030503155420/http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/guinea.htm|archivedate=3 May 2003|df=dmy-all}}</ref> }} | ethnic_groups_year = | demonym = Guinean | government_type = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[presidential republic]] | leader_title1 = [[List of heads of state of Guinea|President]] | leader_name1 = [[Alpha Condé]] | leader_title2 = [[List of heads of government of Guinea|Prime Minister]] | leader_name2 = [[Mamady Youla]] | legislature = [[National Assembly (Guinea)|National Assembly]] | sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] | established_event1 = from [[France]] | established_date1 = 2 October 1958 | area_km2 = 245,836 | area_rank = 77th <!-- Area rank should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]]--> | area_sq_mi = 94,926 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> | percent_water = negligible | population_estimate = {{UN_Population|Guinea}}{{UN_Population|ref}} | population_census = 11,628,972 | population_estimate_year = {{UN_Population|Year}} | population_estimate_rank = 81st | population_census_year = 2014 | population_density_km2 = 40.9 | population_density_sq_mi = 106.1 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> | GDP_PPP = $26.451&nbsp;billion<ref name=imf2>{{cite web |url=http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2017/02/weodata/weorept.aspx?pr.x=20&pr.y=6&sy=2015&ey=2022&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&c=656&s=NGDPD%2CPPPGDP%2CNGDPDPC%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a=|title=Guinea |publisher=International Monetary Fund |accessdate=18 April 2012}}</ref> <!--Do not edit!--> | GDP_PPP_year = 2017 | GDP_PPP_per_capita = $2,039<ref name=imf2/> <!--Do not edit!--> | GDP_nominal = $9.183&nbsp;billion<ref name=imf2/> <!--Do not edit!--> | GDP_nominal_year = 2017 | GDP_nominal_per_capita = $707<ref name=imf2/> <!--Do not edit!--> | Gini = 70.3 <!--number only--> | Gini_year = 1994 | Gini_change = <!--increase/decrease/steady--> | Gini_ref = |Gini_rank = | HDI = 0.414 <!--number only--> | HDI_year = 2015<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year--> | HDI_change = steady<!--increase/decrease/steady--> |HDI_ref =<ref name="HDI">{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/2016_human_development_report.pdf|title=2016 Human Development Report|year=2016|accessdate=21 March 2017|publisher=United Nations Development Programme}}</ref> | HDI_rank = 183th | currency = [[Guinean franc]] | currency_code = GNF | time_zone = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] | utc_offset = +0 | utc_offset_DST = | time_zone_DST = | drives_on = right | calling_code = [[+224]] | cctld = [[.gn]] | area_magnitude = 1 E11 | population_density_rank = 164th | country_code = }} ur mom gay ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Guinea.ogg|ˈ|ɡ|ɪ|n|i}}), officially the '''Republic of Guinea''' ({{lang-fr|link=no|République de Guinée}}), is a country on the western coast of [[Africa]]. Formerly known as African [[French Guinea|Guinea]] ({{lang-fr|Guinée française}}), the modern country is sometimes referred to as '''Guinea-Conakry''' in order to distinguish it from other countries with "''Guinea''" in the name and the [[Guinea (region)|eponymous region]], such as [[Guinea-Bissau]] and [[Equatorial Guinea]].<ref name="uiowa1">{{cite web |url=http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/countries/Guinea-Conakry.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2009-02-11 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205044119/http://www.uiowa.edu/~africart/toc/countries/Guinea-Conakry.html |archivedate=5 February 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070221053336/http://www.musicvideos.the-real-africa.com/guinea/]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://netministries.org/see/churches/ch00472 |title=The Anglican Diocese of Ghana |website=Netministries.org |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cfi.fr/partenaires_en.php3?id_rubrique=24&id_article=473 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2009-02-11 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511084226/http://www.cfi.fr/partenaires_en.php3?id_rubrique=24&id_article=473 |archivedate=11 May 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Guinea has a population of {{#expr:{{replace|{{UN_Population|Guinea}}|,||}}/1e6 round 1}} million and an area of {{convert|245,860|km2|sqmi|0}}.<ref name="guinea_stats"/> Guinea is a [[republic]]. The president is directly elected by the people and is [[head of state]] and [[head of government]]. The unicameral [[National Assembly (Guinea)|Guinean National Assembly]] is the [[legislative body]] of the country, and its members are also directly elected by the people. The judicial branch is led by the Guinea Supreme Court, the highest and final court of appeal in the country.<ref name="reuters.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/16/us-guinea-election-idUSBRE9AF0AP20131116|title=Guinea's Supreme Court rejects election challenges|website=Reuters.com|accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref> The country is named after the [[Guinea (region)|Guinea region]]. Guinea is a traditional name for the region of Africa that lies along the [[Gulf of Guinea]]. It stretches north through the [[Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests|forested tropical regions]] and ends at the [[Sahel]]. The English term Guinea comes directly from the [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] word ''Guiné'', which emerged in the mid-15th century to refer to the lands inhabited by the ''Guineus'', a generic term for the black African peoples below the [[Senegal River]], as opposed to the '[[Tawny (color)|tawny]]' Zenaga Berbers, above it, whom they called ''Azenegues'' or [[Moors]]. Guinea is a predominantly [[Islam|terrorists]] country, with [[Muslim]]s representing 85 percent of the population.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visualgeography.com/categories/guinea/religion.html |title=Religion in Guinea |publisher=Visual Geography |date= |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ecobank.com/countryinfo.aspx?cid=74049 |title=The Pan African Bank |publisher=Ecobank |date= |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref><ref name="uiowa1"/> Guinea's people belong to twenty-four [[Demographics of Guinea|ethnic groups]]. French, the official language of Guinea, is the main language of communication in schools, in government administration, and the media, but more than twenty-four indigenous languages are also spoken. Guinea's economy is largely dependent on agriculture and [[mineral]] production.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africa-import-export.gm/import-export/guinea-conakry.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105124833/http://www.africa-import-export.gm/import-export/guinea-conakry.htm|dead-url=yes|archive-date=5 November 2010|title=Guinea Conakry: Major Imports, Exports, Industries & Business Opportunities in Guinea Conakry, Africa|publisher=|accessdate=15 October 2014}}</ref> It is the world's second largest producer of [[bauxite]], and has rich deposits of [[diamonds]] and [[gold]].<ref name="guineaconakrysupport.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.guineaconakrysupport.com/?lang=en|title=Guinea Conakry Support – Guinee Conakry Trade and Support. (GCTS)|publisher=|accessdate=15 October 2014}}</ref> The country was at the core of the [[2014 Ebola outbreak]]. [[Human rights in Guinea]] remain a controversial issue. In 2011 the United States government claimed that [[torture]] by security forces, and abuse of women and children (e.g. [[female genital mutilation]]) were ongoing abuses of human rights.<ref name='State 2011'>{{cite web | url = https://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?dlid=186203 | title = Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2011: Guinea | accessdate =27 August 2012 | author = [[Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor]] | year = 2012 | publisher = [[United States Department of State]]}}</ref> ==History== {{Main article|History of Guinea}} The land that is now Guinea belonged to a series of African empires until France colonized it in the 1890s, and made it part of [[French West Africa]]. Guinea declared its independence from France on 2 October 1958. From independence until the [[Guinean presidential election, 2010|presidential election]] of 2010, Guinea was governed by a number of [[Autocracy|autocratic]] rulers.<ref>{{cite web | last = Zounmenou | first = David | title = Guinea: Hopes for Reform Dashed Again | publisher=allAfrica.com | date = 2 January 2009 | url = http://allafrica.com/stories/200901020524.html | accessdate =27 December 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_GIN.html |title=UN Human Development Report 2009 |publisher=Hdrstats.undp.org |accessdate=28 March 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100413190650/http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/country_fact_sheets/cty_fs_GIN.html |archivedate=13 April 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Ross |first=Will |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7647962.stm |title=Africa &#124; Guineans mark '50 years of poverty' |publisher=BBC News |date=2 October 2008 |accessdate=28 March 2010}}</ref> For the origin of the name "Guinea" see {{section link|Guinea (region)|Etymology}}. ===West African empires and Kingdoms in Guinea=== {{main article|Imamate of Futa Jallon|Wassoulou Empire}} What is now Guinea was on the fringes of the major [[West Africa]]n empires. The [[Ghana Empire]] is believed to have been the earliest of these which grew on trade but contracted and ultimately fell due to the hostile influence of the [[Almoravids]]. It was in this period that Islam first arrived in the region. The [[Sosso]] kingdom (12th to 13th centuries) briefly flourished in the resulting void but the Islamic [[Malinke people|Manding]] [[Mali Empire]] came to prominence when [[Sundiata Keita|Soundiata Kéïta]] defeated the Sosso ruler [[Soumaoro Kanté|Soumangourou Kanté]] at the semi-historical [[Battle of Kirina]] in c. 1235. The Mali Empire was ruled by [[Mansa (title)|Mansa]] (Emperors), the most famous being [[Musa I of Mali|Kankou Moussa]], who made a famous [[hajj]] to Mecca in 1324. Shortly after his reign the Mali Empire began to decline and was ultimately supplanted by its [[vassal]] states in the 15th century. The most successful of these was the [[Songhai Empire]], which expanded its power from about 1460 and eventually surpassed the Mali Empire in both territory and wealth. It continued to prosper until a civil war over succession followed the death of [[Askia Daoud]] in 1582. The weakened empire fell to invaders from [[Morocco]] at the [[Battle of Tondibi]] just three years later. The Moroccans proved unable to rule the kingdom effectively, however, and it split into many small kingdoms. [[File:Almamy Samory Touré.jpg|thumb|[[Samori Toure]] was the founder of the [[Wassoulou Empire]], an [[Islamic]] state in present-day Guinea that resisted [[France|French]] colonial rule in [[West Africa]] from 1882 until Touré's capture in 1898.]] After the fall of the major West African empires, various kingdoms existed in what is now Guinea. [[Fulani]] Muslims migrated to [[Futa Jallon]] in Central Guinea and established an Islamic state from 1735 to 1898 with a written constitution and alternate rulers. The [[Wassoulou Empire|Wassoulou or Wassulu empire]] was a short-lived (1878–1898) empire, led by [[Samori Toure]] in the predominantly [[Mandinka people|Malinké]] area of what is now upper Guinea and southwestern [[Mali]] (Wassoulou). It moved to [[Ivory Coast]] before being conquered by the French. ===Colonial era=== The [[slave trade]] came to the coastal region of Guinea with European traders in the 16th century. Slaves were exported to work elsewhere in the [[triangular trade]]. Guinea's colonial period began with French military penetration into the area in the mid-19th century. French domination was assured by the defeat in 1898 of the armies of [[Samori Touré]], Mansa (or Emperor) of the [[Ouassoulou]] state and leader of Malinké descent, which gave France control of what today is Guinea and adjacent areas. France negotiated Guinea's present boundaries in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the British for [[Sierra Leone]], the Portuguese for their Guinea colony (now [[Guinea-Bissau]]), and [[Liberia]]. Under the French, the country formed the [[French Guinea|Territory of Guinea]] within [[French West Africa]], administered by a governor general resident in [[Dakar]]. Lieutenant governors administered the individual colonies, including Guinea. ===Independence and post-colonial rule (1958–2008)=== In 1958, the [[French Fourth Republic]] collapsed due to political instability and its failures in dealing with its colonies, especially [[Indochina]] and [[Algeria]]. The founding of a [[French Fifth Republic|Fifth Republic]] was supported by the French people, while French President [[Charles de Gaulle]] made it clear on 8 August 1958 that France's colonies were to be given a stark choice between more [[Autonomous entity|autonomy]] in a new [[French Community]] or immediate independence in the referendum to be held on 28 September 1958. The other colonies chose the former but Guinea — under the leadership of [[Ahmed Sékou Touré]] whose [[Democratic Party of Guinea – African Democratic Rally|Democratic Party of Guinea]] (PDG) had won 56 of 60 seats in 1957 territorial elections — voted overwhelmingly for independence. The French withdrew quickly, and on 2 October 1958, Guinea proclaimed itself a sovereign and independent republic, with Sékou Touré as president. [[File:Ahmed Sékou Touré na obisku v Ljubljani 1961 (3).jpg|thumb|President [[Ahmed Sékou Touré]] was supported by the Communist bloc states and in 1961 visited [[Yugoslavia]].]] France's withdrawal resulted in punitive economic reprisals, including the end of all French aid and investment. Guinea subsequently quickly aligned itself with the [[Soviet Union]] and adopted [[Socialism|socialist]] policies. This alliance was short-lived, however, as Guinea moved towards a Chinese model of socialism. Despite this, however, the country continued to receive aid and investment from [[capitalism|capitalist]] countries such as the [[United States]]. By 1960, Touré had declared the PDG the country's only legal political party and for the next 24 years, the government and the PDG were one. Touré was reelected unopposed to four seven-year terms as president, and every five years voters were presented with a single list of PDG candidates for the National Assembly. Advocating a hybrid [[African Socialism]] domestically and [[Pan-Africanism]] abroad, Touré quickly became a polarising leader, and his government became intolerant of dissent, imprisoning thousands and stifling the press. Throughout the 1960s the Guinean government nationalised land, removed French-appointed and traditional chiefs from power, and had strained ties with the French government and French companies. Touré's government relied on the Soviet Union and China for infrastructure aid and development but much of this was used for political and not economic purposes (such as the building of large stadiums to hold political rallies). Meanwhile, the country's roads, railways and other infrastructure languished and the economy stagnated. [[File:22novemberdetail.JPG|thumb|Monument to commemorate the 1970 military victory over the Portuguese raid. The only objective not accomplished by the Portuguese raid was the capture of Ahmed Sékou Touré.]] On 22 November 1970, Portuguese forces from neighboring [[Portuguese Guinea]] staged [[Operation Green Sea]], a raid on Conakry by several hundred exiled Guinean opposition forces. Among their goals, the Portuguese military wanted to kill or capture Sekou Toure due his support of the [[PAIGC]], an independence movement and rebel group that carried out attacks inside Portuguese Guinea from their bases in Guinea.<ref>"Mr Sekou Touré, who gave the PAIGC unstinted support during its war against the Portuguese,..."[http://www.economist.com/world/mideast-africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13213487 Black revolt], [[The Economist]] (22 November 1980)</ref> After fierce fighting, the Portuguese-backed forces retreated, having freed several dozen Portuguese prisoners of war that were being held by the PAIGC in Conakry but without having ousted Touré. In the years after the raid, massive purges were carried out by the Touré government and at least 50,000 people (1% of Guinea's entire population) was killed. Countless others were imprisoned, faced torture, or, often in the case of foreigners, were forced to leave the country (sometimes after having had their Guinean spouse arrested and their children placed into state custody). A declining economy, mass killings, a stifling political atmosphere, and a ban on all private economic transactions led in 1977 to the "[[Guinean Market Women's Revolt|Market Women's Revolt]]," anti-government riots that were started by women working in Conakry's [[Marché Madina (Conakry)|Madina Market]]. This caused Touré to make major reforms. Touré vacillated from supporting the [[Soviet Union]] to supporting the United States. The late 1970s and early 1980s saw some economic reforms but Touré's centralized control of the state remained. Even the relationship with France improved; after the election of [[Valéry Giscard d'Estaing]] as French president, trade increased and the two countries exchanged diplomatic visits. Sékou Touré died on 26 March 1984 after a heart operation in the United States, and was replaced by [[Heads of Government of Guinea|Prime Minister]] [[Louis Lansana Beavogui]], who was to serve as interim president pending new elections. The PDG was due to elect a new leader on 3 April 1984. Under the constitution, that person would have been the only candidate for president. However, hours before that meeting, Colonels [[Lansana Conté]] and [[Diarra Traoré]] seized power in a bloodless [[coup]]. Conté assumed the role of president, with Traoré serving as prime minister until December. Conté immediately denounced the previous regime’s record on [[human rights]], released 250 political prisoners and encouraged approximately 200,000 more to return from exile. He also made explicit the turn away from socialism, but this did little to alleviate poverty and the country showed no immediate signs of moving towards [[democracy]]. In 1992, Conté announced a return to civilian rule, with a presidential poll in 1993 followed by elections to parliament in 1995 (in which his party – the [[Party of Unity and Progress]] – won 71 of 114 seats.) Despite his stated commitment to democracy, Conté's grip on power remained tight. In September 2001, the opposition leader [[Alpha Condé]] was imprisoned for endangering state security, though he was pardoned 8 months later. He subsequently spent a period of exile in France. In 2001, Conté organized and won a referendum to lengthen the presidential term and in 2003 begun his third term after elections were boycotted by the opposition. In January 2005, Conté survived a suspected assassination attempt while making a rare public appearance in the capital [[Conakry]]. His opponents claimed that he was a "tired dictator"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.guinea-forum.org/Analyses/index.asp?ana=28&Lang=A |title=Welcome Guinea Forum: Cornered, General Lansana Conte can only hope |website=Web.archive.org |date= |accessdate=2017-07-23 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616165043/http://www.guinea-forum.org/Analyses/index.asp?ana=28&Lang=A |archivedate=16 June 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> whose departure was inevitable, whereas his supporters believed that he was winning a battle with dissidents. Guinea still faces very real problems and according to [[Foreign Policy]] is in danger of becoming a [[failed state]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4350 | title= Failed States list 2008 | publisher = Fund for Peace | accessdate=2008-06-27 }}</ref> In 2000, Guinea became embroiled in the instability which had long blighted the rest of [[West Africa]] as rebels crossed the borders with [[Liberia]] and [[Sierra Leone]] and it seemed for a time that the country was headed for [[civil war]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/986375.stm | work=BBC News | title=Civil war fears in Guinea | date=23 October 2000 | accessdate=2 April 2010}}</ref> Conté blamed neighbouring leaders for coveting Guinea's natural resources, though these claims were strenuously denied.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/1102574.stm | work=BBC News | title=Guinea head blames neighbours | date=6 January 2001 | accessdate=2 April 2010}}</ref> In 2003, Guinea agreed to plans with her neighbours to tackle the insurgents. In 2007, there were [[2007 Guinean general strike|big protests]] against the government, resulting in the appointment of a new prime minister.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aspr.ac.at/epu/research/rp_0307.pdf |title=Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR) &#124; Peace Castle Austria |publisher=ASPR |date= |accessdate=2013-09-09}}</ref> ===Recent history=== Conté remained in power until his death on 23 December 2008<ref>{{cite news | last = McGreal | first = Chris | title = Lansana Conté profile: Death of an African 'Big Man' |work=The Guardian | location=London | date = 23 December 2008 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/23/lansana-conte-profile | accessdate =23 December 2009}}</ref> and several hours following his death, [[Moussa Dadis Camara]] seized control in a [[2008 Guinean coup d'état|coup]], declaring himself head of a [[military junta]].<ref>{{cite news | last = Walker | first = Peter | title = Army steps in after Guinea president Lansana Conté dies |work=The Guardian | location=London | date = 23 December 2008 | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/dec/23/guinea-dictator-lansana-conte-dies | accessdate =23 December 2009}}</ref> Protests against the coup became violent and 157 people were killed when, on 28 September 2009, the junta ordered its soldiers to attack people who had gathered to protest against Camara's attempt to become president.<ref> {{cite news | title = Guinea massacre toll put at 157 | publisher=BBC | date = 29 September 2009 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8280603.stm | accessdate =23 December 2009 | location=London}}</ref> The soldiers went on a rampage of rape, mutilation, and murder which caused many foreign governments to withdraw their support for the new regime.<ref name = "NYT">{{cite news | last = MacFarquhar | first = Neil | title = U.N. Panel Calls for Court in Guinea Massacre |work=The New York Times | date = 21 December 2009 | url = https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/22/world/africa/22guinea.html | accessdate =23 December 2009}}</ref> On 3 December 2009, an aide shot Camara during a dispute over the rampage in September. Camara went to Morocco for medical care.<ref name = "NYT"/><ref>{{cite web | title = Guinean soldiers look for ruler's dangerous rival | publisher = malaysianews.net | date = 5 December 2009 | url = http://www.malaysianews.net/story/573838 | accessdate = 23 December 2009 | deadurl = yes | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20110723202201/http://www.malaysianews.net/story/573838 | archivedate = 23 July 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref> Vice-President (and defense minister) [[Sékouba Konaté]] flew back from [[Lebanon]] to run the country in Camara's absence.<ref>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/16/content_12658142.htm Guinea's presidential guard explains assassination motive] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910102918/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-12/16/content_12658142.htm |date=10 September 2013 }}. [[Xinhua]]. 16 December 2009.</ref> After meeting in [[Ouagadougou]] on 13 and 14 January 2010, Camara, Konaté and [[Blaise Compaoré]], President of [[Burkina Faso]], produced a formal statement of twelve principles promising a return of Guinea to civilian rule within six months.<ref>{{Cite news|url=|title=Signature, à Ouagadougou, d'un accord de sortie de crise. (French)|last=|first=|date=January 17, 2010|work=Le Monde|access-date=January 29, 2018|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|publisher=|Regional Business News=}}</ref> The presidential election was held on 27 June,<ref>[http://www.afrol.com/articles/35415 afrol News – Election date for Guinea proposed]. Afrol.com. Retrieved on 28 June 2011.</ref><ref name=transitional>[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/16/content_12820272.htm Guinea to hold presidential elections in six months _English_Xinhua] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910075348/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2010-01/16/content_12820272.htm |date=10 September 2013 }}. News.xinhuanet.com (16 January 2010). Retrieved on 28 June 2011.</ref> with a second election held on 7 November due to allegations of electoral fraud.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-10920366 |work=BBC News | title=Guinea sets date for presidential run-off vote | date=9 August 2010}}</ref> Voter turnout was high, and the elections went relatively smoothly.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11705147 "Guinea sees big turnout in presidential run-off poll", '&#39;BBC'&#39; (7 November 2010)]. Bbc.co.uk (7 November 2010). Retrieved on 28 June 2011.</ref> [[Alpha Condé]], leader of the opposition party [[Rally of the Guinean People]] (RGP), won the election promising to reform the security sector and review mining contracts.<ref>[http://www.iol.co.za/news/africa/conde-declared-victorious-in-guinea-1.831341 Conde declared victorious in Guinea – Africa | IOL News]. IOL.co.za (16 November 2010). Retrieved on 28 June 2011.</ref> In late February 2013, [[2013 Guinea Violence|political violence erupted in Guinea]] after protesters took to the streets to voice their concerns over the transparency of the upcoming May 2013 elections. The demonstrations were fueled by the opposition coalition’s decision to step down from the electoral process in protest at the lack of transparency in the preparations for elections.<ref name=Rone>{{cite web| title=Guinea opposition pulls out of legislative elections process | author=Reuters| publisher=Reuters| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/02/24/guinea-elections-opposition-idUSL6N0BO39F20130224 | date=24 February 2013}}</ref> Nine people were killed during the protests, and around 220 were injured. Many of the deaths and injuries were caused by security forces using live ammunition on protesters.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite web| title= Security forces break up Guinea opposition funeral march| publisher= Reuters| url= http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/03/08/uk-guinea-clashes-idUKBRE92714Z20130308 | date=8 March 2013}}</ref><ref name=Rtwo>{{cite web| title=Two more killed in Guinea as protests spread | author=Daniel Flynn| publisher=Reuters| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/05/guinea-clashes-idUSL6N0BXK3S20130305 | date=5 March 2013}}</ref> The political violence also led to inter-ethnic clashes between the [[Fula people|Fula]] and [[Malinke]], the base of support for President Condé. The former mainly supported the opposition.<ref>{{cite web| title=Ethnic Clashes Erupt in Guinea Capital | author=Reuters| publisher=Voice of America| url=http://www.voanews.com/content/ethnic-clashes-erupt-in-guinea-capital-reuters/1613697.html | date=1 March 2013}}</ref> On 26 March 2013, the opposition party backed out of the negotiations with the government over the upcoming 12 May election. The opposition said that the government had not respected them, and had not kept any promises they agreed to.<ref>{{cite web| title=Guinea election talks fail, opposition threatens protests | author=Bate Felix| publisher=Reuters| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/03/26/us-guinea-election-idUSBRE92P11320130326| date=26 March 2013}}</ref> On 25 March 2014, the [[World Health Organization]] said that [[Ministry of Health (Guinea)|Guinea's Ministry of Health]] had reported [[Ebola virus epidemic in Guinea|an outbreak]] of [[Ebola virus disease]] in Guinea. This initial outbreak had a total of 86 cases, including 59 deaths. By 28 May, there were 281 cases, with 186 deaths.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/outbreaks/guinea/recent_updates.html |title=Previous Updates: 2014 West Africa Outbreak |publisher=Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|accessdate= 23 November 2015}}</ref> It is believed that the first case was Emile Ouamouno, a 2-year-old boy who lived in the village of [[Meliandou]]. He fell ill on 2 December 2013 and died on 6 December.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/10/28/health/ebola-patient-zero/index.html|title=Ebola: Patient zero was a toddler in Guinea - CNN.com|date=28 October 2014|work=CNN|accessdate=23 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/ebola-patient-zero-emile-ouamouno-guinea-first-contract-disease-1714698|title=Ebola Patient Zero: Emile Ouamouno Of Guinea First To Contract Disease|date=28 October 2014|work=International Business Times|accessdate=23 November 2015}}</ref> On 18 September 2014, eight members of an Ebola education health care team [[Womey Massacre|were murdered]] by villagers in the town of [[Womey]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/arrests-made-in-killings-of-guinea-ebola-education-team-1411144837|title=Arrests Made in Killings of Guinea Ebola Education Team|work=Wall Street Journal|date=19 September 2014|accessdate=23 November 2015}}</ref> As of 1 November 2015, there have been 3,810 cases and 2,536 deaths in Guinea.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://apps.who.int/ebola/current-situation/ebola-situation-report-4-november-2015| title=Ebola Situation Report – 4 November 2015| publisher=World Health Organization| accessdate=23 November 2015}}</ref> ==Government and politics== {{Further information|Politics of Guinea}} [[File:Alpha Conde - World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2012.jpg|thumb|[[Alpha Condé]], the current President of Guinea]] The country is a [[republic]]. The president is directly elected by the people and is [[head of state]] and [[head of government]]. The unicameral National Assembly is the [[legislative body]] of the country, and its members are directly elected by the people. The judicial branch is led by the Guinea Supreme Court, the highest and final court of appeal in the country.<ref name="reuters.com"/> Guinea is a member of many international organizations including the [[African Union]], [[Agency for the French-Speaking Community]], [[African Development Bank]], [[Economic Community of West African States]], [[International Bank for Reconstruction and Development|World Bank]], [[Islamic Development Bank]], [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]], and the [[United Nations]]. === Political culture === President [[Alpha Conde]] derives support from Guinea's second-largest ethnic group, the [[Malinke]].<ref name="Guinea 2013">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/17/us-guinea-violence-idUSBRE96G00820130717|title= "Guinea's Conde appeals for calm after 11 killed in ethnic clashes", Reuters, 16 July 2013.|work=Reuters|accessdate=15 October 2014}}</ref> Guinea's opposition is backed by the [[Fula people|Fula]] ethnic group, also known as ''Peul'', who account for around 40 percent of the population.<ref name="Guinea 2013"/> ===Executive branch=== The [[president of Guinea]] is normally elected by popular vote for a five-year term; the winning candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president. The president governs Guinea, assisted by a [[Privy Council|council]] of 25 civilian [[Minister (government)|ministers]] appointed by him. The government administers the country through eight regions, 33 [[prefecture]]s, over 100 [[subprefecture]]s, and many districts (known as [[commune (subnational entity)|commune]]s in [[Conakry]] and other large cities and villages or "quartiers" in the interior). District-level leaders are elected; the president appoints officials to all other levels of the highly centralized administration. Since the 2010 presidential elections, the head of state has been [[Alpha Condé]]. ===Legislative branch=== The [[National Assembly of Guinea]], the country's legislative body, has not met since 2008 when it was dissolved after the military coup in December. [[Guinean legislative election, 2013|Elections]] have been postponed many times since 2007. In April 2012, President Condé postponed the elections indefinitely, citing the need to ensure that they were "transparent and democratic".<ref name="RNW Africa Desk">{{cite web|title=Guinea president postpones parliamentary elections indefinitely|url=http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/guinea-president-postpones-parliamentary-elections-indefinitely|publisher=Radio Netherlands Worldwide|accessdate=22 August 2012|author=RNW Africa Desk|date=28 April 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430121146/http://www.rnw.nl/africa/article/guinea-president-postpones-parliamentary-elections-indefinitely|archivedate=30 April 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The [[Guinean legislative election, 2013|2013 Guinean legislative election]] were held on 24 September 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Guinea election body sets legislative polls for September 24|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2013/07/09/us-guinea-election-idUSBRE9681C720130709|accessdate=7 August 2013|newspaper=Reuters|date=9 July 2013}}</ref> President [[Alpha Condé]]'s party, the [[Rally of the Guinean People]] (RPG), won a [[Plurality (voting)|plurality]] of seats in the [[National Assembly of Guinea]], with 53 out of 114 seats. The opposition parties won a total of 53 seats, and opposition leaders denounced the official results as fraudulent. === Foreign relations === {{Further information|Foreign relations of Guinea}} Guinea's foreign relations, including those with its [[West Africa]]n neighbors, have improved steadily since 1985.<ref>[https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2824.htm Background Note: Guinea], US Department of State, February 2009</ref> ===Military=== {{Main article|Military of Guinea}} Guinea's armed forces are divided into five branches – army, navy, air force, the paramilitary National [[Gendarmerie]] and the Republican Guard – whose chiefs report to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who is subordinate to the Minister of Defense. In addition, regime security forces include the National Police Force (Sûreté National). The Gendarmerie, responsible for internal security, has a strength of several thousand. The army, with about 15,000 personnel, is by far the largest branch of the armed forces. It is mainly responsible for protecting the state borders, the security of administered territories, and defending Guinea's national interests. Air force personnel total about 700. The force's equipment includes several Russian-supplied fighter planes and transports. The navy has about 900 personnel and operates several small [[patrol craft]] and barges. ==Geography== [[File:Un-guinea.png|thumb|650px|A map showing [[List of cities in Guinea|Guinea's cities]] and [[Administrative divisions of Guinea|administrative divisions]]]] [[File:Guniea map of Köppen climate classification.svg|thumb|300px|Guinea map of Köppen climate classification]] {{Main article|Geography of Guinea}} Guinea shares its northern border with Guinea-Bissau, [[Senegal]], and [[Mali]], and its southern border with [[Sierra Leone]], [[Liberia]], and [[Ivory Coast]]. The nation forms a crescent as it curves from its western border on the [[Atlantic Ocean]] toward the east and the south. The sources of the [[Niger River]], [[Gambia River]], and [[Senegal River]] are all found in the [[Guinea Highlands]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/W4347E/w4347e0h.htm |title=The Senegal River basin |website=Fao.org |date= |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/W4347E/w4347e0i.htm |title=The Niger River basin |website=Fao.org |date= |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/docrep/W4347E/w4347e0t.htm |title=The West Coast |website=Fao.org |date= |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref> At {{convert|245857|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, Guinea is roughly the size of the [[United Kingdom]]. There are {{convert|320|km|mi|abbr=on}} of coastline and a total land border of {{convert|3400|km|mi|abbr=on}}. Its neighbours are [[Ivory Coast]] (Côte d'Ivoire), [[Guinea-Bissau]], Liberia, [[Mali]], Senegal and [[Sierra Leone]]. It lies mostly between latitudes [[7th parallel north|7°]] and [[13th parallel north|13°N]], and longitudes [[7th meridian west|7°]] and [[15th meridian west|15°W]] (a small area is west of 15°). Guinea is divided into four main regions: [[Maritime Guinea]], also known as Lower Guinea or the Basse-Coté lowlands, populated mainly by the [[Susu people|Susu]] ethnic group; the cooler, mountainous [[Fouta Djallon]] that run roughly north-south through the middle of the country, populated by Fulas, the Sahelian Haute-Guinea to the northeast, populated by [[Mandinka people|Malinké]], and the forested jungle regions in the southeast, with several ethnic groups. Guinea's mountains are the source for the Niger, the Gambia, and Senegal Rivers, as well as the numerous rivers flowing to the sea on the west side of the range in Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. The highest point in Guinea is [[Mount Nimba]] at {{convert|1752|m|ft|abbr=on}}. Although the Guinean and Ivorian sides of the [[Nimba Massif]] are a [[UNESCO]] [[Strict Nature Reserve]], the portion of the so-called Guinean Backbone continues into [[Liberia]], where it has been mined for decades; the damage is quite evident in the [[Nzérékoré Region]] at {{Coord|7|32|17|N|8|29|50|W|region:GN_type:landmark}}. ===Regions and prefectures=== {{Main article|Administrative divisions of Guinea}} [[File:Guinea Regions.png|thumb|350px|[[Regions of Guinea]]]] The Republic of Guinea covers {{convert|245857|km2|sqmi|0}} of West Africa, about [[10th parallel north|10 degrees north]] of the equator. Guinea is divided into four natural regions with distinct human, geographic, and climatic characteristics: * [[Maritime Guinea]] (''La Guinée Maritime'') covers 18% of the country. * [[Middle Guinea]] (''La Moyenne-Guinée'') covers 20% of the country. * [[Upper Guinea]] (''La Haute-Guinée'') covers 38% of the country. * [[Guinée forestière|Forested Guinea]] (''Guinée forestière'') covers 23% of the country, and is both forested and mountainous. Guinea is divided into eight [[Regions of Guinea|administrative regions]] and subdivided into thirty-three [[Prefectures of Guinea|prefectures]]. [[Conakry]] is Guinea's capital, largest city, and economic centre. [[Nzérékoré]], located in the [[Guinée forestière]] region in Southern Guinea, is the second largest city. Other major cities in the country with a population above 100,000 include [[Kankan]], [[Kindia]], [[Labé|Labe]], [[Guéckédou]], [[Boké|Boke]], [[Mamou]] and [[Kissidougou]]. * The capital [[Conakry]] with a population of 1,667,864 ranks as a special zone. {|class="wikitable sortable" |- !Region!!Capital!!Population <br> (2014 census) |- |[[Conakry Region]] ||[[Conakry]]||1,667,864 |- |[[Nzérékoré Region]] ||[[Nzérékoré]]||1,663,582 |- |[[Kankan Region]] ||[[Kankan]]||1,986,329 |- |[[Kindia Region]] ||[[Kindia]]||1,559,185 |- |[[Boké Region]] ||[[Boké]]||1,081,445 |- |[[Labé Region]] ||[[Labé]]||995,717 |- |[[Faranah Region]] ||[[Faranah]]||942,733 |- |[[Mamou Region]]||[[Mamou]]||732,117 |} == Wildlife == {{Main article|Wildlife of Guinea|Wildlife of Guinea=}} The wildlife of Guinea is very diverse due to the wide variety of different habitats. The southern part of the country lies within [[Guinean Forests of West Africa]] [[Biodiversity hotspot|Biodiversity Hotspot]], while the north-east is characterized by dry savanna woodlands. Unfortunately, declining populations of large animals are restricted to uninhabited distant parts of parks and reserves. === Taxonomy === Species found in Guinea include the following: * Amphibians : ''[[Hemisus guineensis]]'', ''[[Phrynobatrachus guineensis]]'' * Reptiles : ''[[Acanthodactylus]] guineensis'', ''[[Mochlus]] guineensis'' * Arachnids: ''[[Malloneta guineensis]]'', ''[[Dictyna]] guineensis'' * Insects : ''[[Zorotypus]] guineensis'', ''[[Euchromia guineensis]]'' * Birds: ''[[Melaniparus guineensis]]'' ==Economy== {{Main article|Economy of Guinea}} [[File:Guinea Export Treemap.jpg|thumb|350px|A proportional depiction of Guinea's export products]] [[File:Fisher women on River Niger in Guinea, Africa.jpg|thumb|250px|Malinke fisher women on the Niger River, [[Niandankoro]], [[Kankan Region]], in eastern Guinea]] [[File:Kissidougou market.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Kissidougou]] market]] === Natural resources === Guinea has abundant natural resources including 25% or more of the world's known [[bauxite]] reserves. Guinea also has diamonds, gold, and other metals. The country has great potential for [[hydroelectric power]]. Bauxite and [[Aluminium oxide|alumina]] are currently the only major exports. Other industries include processing plants for beer, juices, soft drinks and tobacco. Agriculture employs 80% of the nation's labor force. Under French rule, and at the beginning of independence, Guinea was a major exporter of bananas, [[pineapples]], coffee, peanuts, and [[palm oil]]. Guinea has considerable potential for growth in agricultural and fishing sectors. Soil, water, and climatic conditions provide opportunities for large-scale irrigated farming and agro industry. ===Mining=== {{main|Mining industry of Guinea}} Guinea possesses over 25&nbsp;billion [[tonne]]s (metric tons) of [[bauxite]] – and perhaps up to one-half of the world's reserves. In addition, Guinea's mineral wealth includes more than 4-billion tonnes of high-grade [[iron ore]], significant diamond and gold deposits, and undetermined quantities of [[uranium]]. Possibilities for investment and commercial activities exist in all these areas, but Guinea's poorly developed [[infrastructure]] and rampant [[corruption]] continue to present obstacles to large-scale investment projects. [[Joint venture]] [[bauxite]] mining and alumina operations in northwest Guinea historically provide about 80% of Guinea's [[Foreign exchange reserves|foreign exchange]]. Bauxite is refined into alumina, which is later [[smelting|smelted]] into aluminium. The ''{{ILL|Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinea|fr}}'' (CBG), which exports about 14 million tonnes of high-grade bauxite annually, is the main player in the bauxite industry. CBG is a joint venture, 49% owned by the Guinean government and 51% by an international consortium known as [[Halco Mining]] Inc., itself a joint venture controlled by aluminium producer [[Alcoa]] (AA), global miner [[Rio Tinto Group]] and Dadco Investments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://af.reuters.com/article/metalsNews/idAFL5N0YK4R020150529|title=Guinea bauxite miner CBG plans $1 bln expansion to meet demand|website=Af.reuters.com|accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref> CBG has exclusive rights to bauxite reserves and resources in north-western Guinea through 2038.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dadcoalumina.com/about/history.aspx |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2015-05-31 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718025131/http://www.dadcoalumina.com/about/history.aspx |archivedate=18 July 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 2008 protesters upset about poor electrical services blocked the tracks CBG uses. Guineau often includes a proviso in its agreements with international oil companies requiring its partners to generate power for nearby communities.<ref> {{cite news |url=http://www.minesandcommunities.org/article.php?a=8889 |author1=Saliou Samb |author2=Daniel Magnowski |title=One dead in Guinea protest, mine trains stop |agency=Reuters |date=1 November 2008 |work=Minesandcommunities.org |accessdate=August 24, 2013}}</ref> The ''Compagnie des Bauxites de Kindia'' (CBK), a joint venture between the government of Guinea and [[United Company RUSAL|RUSAL]], produces some 2.5&nbsp;million [[tonne]]s annually, nearly all of which is exported to [[Russia]] and Eastern Europe. [[Dian Dian]], a Guinean/[[Ukraine|Ukrainian]] joint bauxite venture, has a projected production rate of {{convert|1000000|t|ST LT|0|abbr=on|lk=on}} per year, but is not expected to begin operation for several years. The ''[[Alumina Company of Guinea|Alumina Compagnie de Guinée]]'' (ACG), which took over the former Friguia Consortium, produced about 2.4&nbsp;million tonnes in 2004 as raw material for its alumina refinery. The refinery exports about 750,000 tonnes of alumina. Both Global Alumina and Alcoa-Alcan have signed conventions with the government of Guinea to build large alumina refineries with a combined capacity of about 4 million tonnes per year. Diamonds and gold also are mined and exported on a large scale. The bulk of diamonds are mined [[artisanal mining|artisanally]]. The largest gold mining operation in Guinea is a joint venture between the government and [[Ashanti Goldfields]] of [[Ghana]]. AREDOR, a joint diamond-mining venture between the Guinean Government (50%) and an Australian, British, and Swiss [[consortium]], began production in 1984 and mined diamonds that were 90% gem quality. Production stopped from 1993 until 1996, when First City Mining of Canada purchased the international portion of the consortium. Société Minière de Dinguiraye (SMD) also has a large gold mining facility in Lero, near the Malian border. ===Oil=== Guinea signed a [[production sharing agreement]] with Hyperdynamics Corporation of [[Houston]] in 2006 to explore a large offshore tract, and was recently in partnership with [[Dana Petroleum]] PLC ([[Aberdeen]], United Kingdom). The initial well, the Sabu-1, was scheduled to begin drilling in October 2011 at a site in approximately 700&nbsp;meters of water. The Sabu-1 targeted a four-way [[anticline]] prospect with [[upper Cretaceous]] sands and was anticipated to be drilled to a total depth of 3,600&nbsp;meters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://investors.hyperdynamics.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=600343 |title=Hyperdynamics Corporation - Jasper Explorer Drill Ship En Route to Hyperdynamics' First Exploration Drilling Site Offshore Guinea |website=Investors.hyperdynamics.com |date= |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref> Following the completion of exploratory [[drilling]] in 2012, the Sabu-1 well was not deemed commercially viable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.offshore-technology.com/news/newshyperdynamics-completes-drilling-of-sabu-1-well-offshore-guinea-conakry|title=Hyperdynamics completes drilling at Sabu-1 well offshore Guinea-Conakry|website=Offshore-technology.com|accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref> In November 2012, Hyperdynamics subsidiary SCS reached an agreement for a sale of 40% of the concession to [[Tullow Oil]], bringing ownership shares in the Guinea offshore tract to 37% Hyperdynamics, 40% Tullow Oil, and 23% Dana Petroleum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tullowoil.com/index.asp?pageid=137&newsid=805|title=Tullow Oil Agrees Farm-in to Guinea Concession|website=Tullowoil.com|accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref> Hyperdynamics will have until September 2016 under the current agreement to begin drilling its next selected site, the Fatala [[Cenomanian]] [[turbidite]] fan prospect.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hyperdynamics.com/guinea_project.htm|title=Overview of the Guinea Project|website=Hyperdynamics.com|author1=Hyperdynamics|accessdate=3 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://doc.research-and-analytics.csfb.com/docView?document_id=x548038&serialid=6XKHhijcT%2B6Xg1jfyFmVuwQySL6HHtJCNiU0UlOijDA%3D|title=Tullow Oil|date=21 January 2014|publisher=Credit Suisse|page=15|work=Equity Research|author1=Thomas Adolff|author2=Charlotte Elliott|accessdate=August 24, 2016}} </ref> === Agriculture === The majority of Guineans work in the agriculture sector, which employs approximately 75% of the country. The rice is cultivated in the flooded zones between streams and rivers. However, the local production of rice is not sufficient to feed the country, so rice is imported from Asia. The [[agriculture in Guinea|agriculture sector of Guinea]] cultivates coffee beans, pineapples, peaches, nectarines, [[mango]]es, [[Orange (fruit)|oranges]], bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, pepper, and many other types of produce. Guinea is one of the emerging regional producers of apples and pears. There are many plantations of grapes, pomegranates, and recent years have seen the development of strawberry plantations based on the vertical hydroponic system. ==Problems and reforms== In 2002, the [[IMF]] suspended Guinea's [[Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility]] (PRGF) because the government failed to meet key performance criteria. In reviews of the PRGF, the World Bank noted that Guinea had met its spending goals in targeted social priority sectors. However, spending in other areas, primarily defense, contributed to a significant fiscal deficit.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}} The loss of IMF funds forced the government to finance its debts through [[Central Bank]] advances. The pursuit of unsound economic policies has resulted in imbalances that are proving hard to correct. Under then-Prime Minister Diallo, the government began a rigorous reform agenda in December 2004 designed to return Guinea to a PRGF with the IMF. Exchange rates have been allowed to float, price controls on gasoline have been loosened, and government spending has been reduced while tax collection has been improved. These reforms have not reduced inflation, which hit 27% in 2004 and 30% in 2005. [[Currency depreciation]] is also a concern. The Guinea franc was trading at 2550 to the dollar in January 2005. It hit 5554 to the dollar by October 2006. In August 2016 that number had reached 9089. Despite the opening in 2005 of a new road connecting Guinea and Mali, most major roadways remain in poor repair, slowing the delivery of goods to local markets. Electricity and water shortages are frequent and sustained, and many businesses are forced to use expensive power generators and fuel to stay open. Even though there are many problems plaguing Guinea's economy, not all foreign investors are reluctant to come to Guinea. Global Alumina's proposed alumina refinery has a price tag above $2&nbsp;billion. Alcoa and Alcan are proposing a slightly smaller refinery worth about $1.5&nbsp;billion. Taken together, they represent the largest private investment in [[sub-Saharan Africa]] since the [[Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project|Chad-Cameroon oil pipeline]]. Also, Hyperdynamics Corporation, an American oil company, signed an agreement in 2006 to develop Guinea's offshore [[Senegal River|Senegal Basin]] oil deposits in a concession of {{convert|31000|sqmi|km2|sigfig=2}}; it is pursuing seismic exploration.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hyperdynamics.com/media/HDY-JV-Partner-Opportunity-Brochure-082208.pdf|title=Joint Venture Opportunity Offshore the West Coast of Africa|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207130218/http://www.hyperdynamics.com/media/HDY-JV-Partner-Opportunity-Brochure-082208.pdf|archivedate=7 February 2009|df=dmy-all}}Hyperdynamics Corporation (2008)</ref> On 13 October 2009, Guinean Mines Minister Mahmoud Thiam announced that the [[China International Fund]] would invest more than $7bn (£4.5bn) in infrastructure. In return, he said the firm would be a "strategic partner" in all mining projects in the mineral-rich nation. He said the firm would help build ports, railway lines, power plants, low-cost housing and even a new administrative centre in the capital, [[Conakry]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Guinea confirms huge China deal|url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8304418.stm|date = 13 October 2009|accessdate =13 October 2009|publisher=BBC News | location=London}}</ref> In September 2011, Mohamed Lamine Fofana, the Mines Minister following the [[Guinean presidential election, 2010|2010 election]], said that the government had overturned the agreement by the ex-military junta.<ref name="bbcmines">{{cite news|title=Guinea mining: PM defends radical industry shake-up|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-14915121|newspaper=BBC|date=14 September 2011}}</ref> Youth unemployment remains a large problem. Guinea needs an adequate policy to address the concerns of urban youth. One problem is the disparity between their life and what they see on television. For youth who cannot find jobs, seeing the economic power and consumerism of richer countries only serves to frustrate them further.<ref>[http://www.inwent.org/ez/articles/171240/index.en.shtml Joschka Philipps, "Explosive youth: Focus"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526044412/http://www.inwent.org/ez/articles/171240/index.en.shtml |date=26 May 2010 }}, D+C (Development and Cooperation), funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development,(2010/05) pages 190–193]. Inwent.org</ref> ===Mining controversies=== Guinea has large reserves of the steel-making raw material, iron ore. [[Rio Tinto Group]] was the majority owner of the $6 billion [[Simandou]] [[iron ore]] project, which it had called the world's best unexploited resource. This project is said to be of the same magnitude as the [[Pilbara]] in Western Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miningweekly.com/print-version/red-gold-in-africa-exploring-red-gold-red-gold-rising-2012-10-05|title=Mining Weekly – West Africa emerging as new Pilbara as miners race to develop iron-ore projects|website=Miningweekly.com|access-date=2017-02-19}}</ref> In 2017, [[Och-Ziff Capital Management Group]] pled guilty to a multi-year bribery scheme, after an investigation by the [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC) led to a trial in the United States and a fine of $412 million.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sec-och-ziff-capital/sec-charges-two-former-och-ziff-executives-in-corruption-case-idUSKBN15A29Z|title=U.S. SEC charges two former Och-Ziff executives in bribery case|date=2017-01-26|work=Reuters|accessdate=2018-02-07}}</ref> Following this, the SEC also filed a lawsuit in the US against head of Och-Ziff European operations, Michael Cohen,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-01-03/michael-cohen-ex-och-ziff-executive-charged-with-fraud-by-u-s|title=Michael Cohen, Once of Och-Ziff, Charged With Fraud by U.S.|date=2018-01-03|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/01/03/former-och-ziff-fund-executive-indicted-for-fraud-prosecutor-says.html|title=Former Och Ziff hedge fund executive indicted for fraud in Africa investment scheme, prosecutor says|last=Moyer|first=Liz|date=2018-01-03|work=CNBC|accessdate=2018-02-07}}</ref> for his role in a [[bribery]] scheme in the region.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-01-26/two-former-och-ziff-executives-accused-by-sec-in-bribery-scheme-iyen7srp|title=Two Ex-Och-Ziff Executives Accused by SEC in Bribery Scheme|date=2017-01-26|work=Bloomberg.com|access-date=2018-02-07|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-anti-corruption.com/news/sec-charges-two-masterminds-behind-och-ziff-africa-bribe-scheme|title=SEC charges two ‘masterminds’ behind Och-Ziff Africa bribe scheme|last=GAN|access-date=2018-02-07|language=en}}</ref> In 2009 the government of Guinea gave the northern half of Simandou to BSGR<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timeslive.co.za/africa/2016/04/04/Panama-Papers-Steinmetz-Guinea-deal-pried-open|title=Panama Papers: Steinmetz Guinea deal pried open: Leaked documents pry open the corporate structure of companies involved in a mining rights scandal in Guinea|publisher=Times Live|author=KHADIJA SHARIFE}}</ref> for an $165 million investment in the project and a pledge to spend $1 billion on railways, saying that Rio Tinto wasn't moving into production fast enough. The US Justice Department investigated allegations that BSGR had bribed President Conté's wife to get him the concession,<ref>{{cite web|title=Buried Secrets: How an Israeli billionaire wrested control of one of Africa’s biggest prizes.|date=July 8, 2013|publisher=New Yorker|work=A Reporter at Large|author=Patrick Radden Keefe}} </ref> and so did the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]], the next elected President of Guinea, [[Alpha Condé]], and an assortment of other national and international entities. In April 2014 the Guinean government cancelled the company's mining rights in Simandou. BSGR has denied any wrongdoing, and in May 2014 sought arbitration over the government of Guinea's decision to expropriate its mining rights.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/guinea-mining-idUSL6N0NT61620140507|title=UPDATE 2-BSGR starts arbitration against Guinea over lost mining rights|date=2017-05-07|access-date=2017-02-19|newspaper=Reuters}}</ref> In 2010 Rio Tinto signed a binding agreement with [[Aluminum Corporation of China Limited]]. to establish a [[joint venture]] for the Simandou iron ore project.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/chinalco-rio-tinto-and-russal-are-fighting-over-mining-rights-and-power-in-guinea-2010-7|title=Chinalco, Rio Tinto And Russal Are Fighting Over Mining Rights And Power In Guinea|access-date=2017-02-19|language=en|newspaper=Business Insider}}</ref> In November 2016, Rio Tinto admitted paying $10.5 million to a close adviser of President Alpha Condé to obtain rights on Simandou.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-rio-tinto-guinea-corruption-idUKKBN1332Q3|title=Rio Tinto suspends senior executive after Guinea investigation|last=Samb|first=Sonali Paul and Saliou|access-date=2017-02-19|language=en-GB|newspaper=Reuters UK}}</ref> Conde said he knew nothing about the bribe and denied any wrongdoing. However, according to recordings obtained by [[FRANCE 24]], Guinean authorities were aware of the Simandou briberies.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.france24.com/en/20161201-exclusive-audio-recordings-guinea-president-conde-simandou-mine-bribery-rio-tinto|title=Audio recordings drag Guinea president into mine bribery scandal – France 24|date=2016-12-01|access-date=2017-02-19|language=en-US|newspaper=France 24}}</ref> In July 2017, the UK-based anti-fraud regulator, the [[Serious Fraud Office (United Kingdom)|Serious Fraud Office]] (SFO) and the [[Australian Federal Police]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://citizen.co.za/news/news-africa/1584247/australia-guinea-mining-rio/|title=UK Serious Fraud Office probes Rio Tinto Guinea project|last=AFP|work=The Citizen|access-date=2018-01-03|language=en}}</ref> launched an investigation into Rio Tinto’s business practices in Guinea.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/24/rio-tinto-sfo-investigation-guinea-suspected-corruption|title=SFO says it is investigating Rio Tinto over Guinea operations|last=Staff|date=2017-07-25|work=The Guardian|access-date=2018-01-03|last2=Reuters|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/britain-sfo-rio-tinto/uks-sfo-says-opens-investigation-into-rio-tinto-group-idUSL5N1KF5FC|title=UK's SFO says opens investigation into Rio Tinto Group|date=24 July 2017|work=Reuters|access-date=2018-01-03}}</ref> Further, In November 2016, the former mining minister of Guinea, Mahmoud Thiam, accused head of Rio Tinto’s Guinea operation department of offering him a bribe in 2010 to regain Rio Tinto's control over half of the undeveloped Simandou project. In September 2011, Guinea adopted a new mining code. The law set up a commission to review government deals struck during the chaotic days between the end of dictatorship in 2008 and Condé coming to power.<ref name="TST">[https://www.scribd.com/doc/95727476/Secret-Deal-Threatens-Big-Miners-The-Sunday-Times Danny Fortson, "Secret deal threatens big miners"] '&#x27;The Sunday Times'&#x27; (3 June 2012)]. Scribd.com (3 June 2012)..</ref> In September 2015, the French Financial Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into President Alpha Conde’s son, Mohamed Alpha Condé.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ecofinagency.com/law/2909-32343-french-justice-investigating-the-lifestyle-of-the-son-of-guinean-president|title=French Justice investigating the lifestyle of the son of Guinean president|last=Agency|first=Ecofin|access-date=2017-02-19|language=en-gb|newspaper=Ecofin Agency}}</ref> He was charged with embezzlement of public funds and receiving financial and other benefits from French companies that were interested in the Guinean mining industry.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/enquete-sur-le-fils-du-president-guineen-28-09-2015-5132955.php|title=Enquête sur le fils du président guinéen|date=2017-02-19|access-date=2017-02-19|newspaper=leparisien.fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://issafrica.org/iss-today/another-presidents-son-caught-with-his-hand-in-the-cookie-jar|title=Another president's son caught with his hand in the cookie jar? – ISS Africa|last=ISSAfrica.org|website=ISS Africa|language=en|access-date=2017-02-19}}</ref> In August 2016, son of a former Prime Minister of Gabon, who worked for Och-Ziff’s Africa Management Ltd, a subsidiary of the U.S. hedge fund Och-Ziff, was arrested in the US and charged with bribing officials in Guinea, Chad and Niger on behalf of the company in order to secure mining concessions<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/17/business/dealbook/bribery-arrest-may-expose-african-mining-rights-scandal-tied-to-och-ziff.html|title=Bribery Arrest May Expose African Mining Rights Scandal Tied to Och-Ziff|last=Stevenson|first=Alexandra|date=2016-08-16|access-date=2017-02-19|issn=0362-4331|newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> and gain access to relevant confidential information.<ref name="justice.gov">{{cite web|url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/gabonese-national-pleads-guilty-foreign-bribery-scheme|title=Gabonese National Pleads Guilty to Foreign Bribery Scheme|website=Justice.gov|language=en|access-date=2017-02-19}}</ref> The investigation also revealed that he was involved in rewriting Guinea’s mining law during President Conde’s rule.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-18/u-s-case-into-fixer-for-och-ziff-venture-gets-support-in-guinea|title=U.S. Case Into Fixer for Och-Ziff Venture Gets Support in Guinea|date=2016-08-18|access-date=2017-02-19|newspaper=Bloomberg.com}}</ref> In December 2016, the US Department of Justice announced that the man pleaded guilty to conspiring to make corrupt payments to government officials in Africa.<ref name="justice.gov" /> According to a Global Witness report, Sable Mining sought iron ore explorations rights to Mount Nimba in Guinea by getting close to Conde towards the 2010 elections, backing his campaign for presidency and bribing his son.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.globalwitness.org/thedeceivers/|title=The Deceivers|last=Witness|first=Global|access-date=2017-02-19}}</ref> These allegations have not been verified yet but in March 2016 Guinean authorities ordered an investigation into the matter.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201605231239.html|title=Guinea: Sable Mining Bribery Under Probe|date=2016-05-23|access-date=2017-02-19|newspaper=The NEWS (Monrovia)}}</ref> The Conde government investigated two other contracts as well, one which left Hyperdynamic with a third of Guinea's offshore lease allocations as well as [[Rusal]]'s purchase of the Friguia Aluminum refinery, in which it said that Rusal greatly underpaid.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.miningweekly.com/article/guinea-targets-3-firms-in-resource-contract-review---source-2012-11-09/rep_id:3650|title=Guinea targets 3 firms in resource contract review – source|date=November 9, 2012|publisher=Creamer Media's Mining Weekly|agency=Reuters|accessdate=August 25, 2016}}</ref> === Minority and women's rights === {{main|Human rights in Guinea}} [[LGBT rights in Guinea|Homosexuality]] is illegal in Guinea.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/06/13/here-are-the-10-countries-where-homosexuality-may-be-punished-by-death-2/ |title= Here are the 10 countries where homosexuality may be punished by death | work = The Washington Post | date= June 16, 2016}}</ref> Same sex relations are considered a strong taboo, and the prime minister declared in 2010 that he doesn't consider sexual orientation a legitimate human right.<ref name='State 2011'/> According to Anastasia Gage, an associate professor at [[Tulane University]], and Ronan van Rossem, an associate professor at [[Ghent University]],<ref>{{cite journal|last2=Gage|first2=AJ|year=2009|title=The effects of female genital mutilation on the onset of sexual activity and marriage in Guinea|journal=Arch Sex Behav|volume=38|issue=2|pages=178–85|doi=10.1007/s10508-007-9237-5|pmid=17943434|last1=Van Rossem|first1=R}}</ref> [[female genital mutilation]] in Guinea had been performed on more than 98% of women {{As of|2009|lc=y}}.<ref>{{cite journal|last2=Gage|first2=A. J.|year=2009|title=The effects of female genital mutilation on the onset of sexual activity and marriage in Guinea|url=|journal=Archives of Sexual Behavior|volume=38|issue=2|pages=178–185|doi=10.1007/s10508-007-9237-5|pmid=17943434|last1=Rossem|first1=R. V.}}</ref> In Guinea almost all cultures, religions, and ethnicities practice female genital mutilation.<ref>{{cite journal|last2=Gage|first2=A. J.|year=2009|title=The effects of female genital mutilation on the onset of sexual activity and marriage in Guinea|url=|journal=Archives of Sexual Behavior|volume=38|issue=2|pages=178–185|doi=10.1007/s10508-007-9237-5|pmid=17943434|last1=Rossem|first1=R. V.}}</ref> The 2005 [[Demographic and Health Survey]] reported that 96% of women have gone through the operation. Prosecutions of its practitioners are nonexistent.<ref name='State 2011'/> ==Transport infrastructure== {{Main article|Transport in Guinea}} The railway from Conakry to [[Kankan]] ceased operating in the mid-1980s.<ref>{{Cite news |url = http://guineenews.org/kankan-le-chemin-de-fer-conakry-niger-a-quand-sa-rehabilitation/ |author = Amadou Timbo Barry |title = Kankan : Le chemin de fer Conakry-Niger à quand sa réhabilitation ? |date = May 14, 2015 |publisher = Guinee News |deadurl = yes |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160915153034/http://guineenews.org/kankan-le-chemin-de-fer-conakry-niger-a-quand-sa-rehabilitation/ |archivedate = 15 September 2016 |df = dmy-all }} </ref> Domestic air services are intermittent. Most vehicles in Guinea are 20+ years old, and cabs are any four-door vehicle which the owner has designated as being for hire. Locals, nearly entirely without vehicles of their own, rely upon these taxis (which charge per seat) and small buses to take them around town and across the country. There is some river traffic on the [[Niger River|Niger]] and [[Milo River|Milo]] rivers. Horses and donkeys pull carts, primarily to transport construction materials. <!-- Iron mining at [[Simandou]] (South) in the southeast beginning in 2007 and at [[Kalia, Faranah|Kalia]] in the east is likely to result in the construction of a new heavy-duty [[standard gauge]] railway and deepwater port. Iron mining at Simandou (North) will load to a new port near [[Buchanan, Liberia]], in exchange for which rehabilitation of the [[Conakry]] to Kankan line will occur.{{Citation needed|date=September 2012}} – this plan seems to be a dead letter -->Mining operations are expected to start at [[Simandou]] before the end of 2015. [[Rio Tinto Limited]] plans to build a 650&nbsp;km railway to transport iron ore from the mine to the coast, near [[Matakong]], for export.<ref name="Railways Africa">{{cite web|url=http://www.railwaysafrica.com/blog/2010/10/guinea-simandou-project-gains-momentum/|accessdate=2010-11-09|title=GUINEA: SIMANDOU PROJECT GAINS MOMENTUM | publisher = Railways Africa}}</ref> Much of the Simandou iron ore is expected to be shipped to China for steel production.<ref name="Bulk Materials">{{cite web|url=http://www.bulkmaterialsinternational.com/htm/w20100330.015488.htm |title=Joint venture for Simandou Guinea, Iron ore, Simandou project, Steel, Steel, BHP Billiton, Chinalco, Rio Tinto, World Bank, Agreement, Joint ventures, Port developments, Rail |website=Bulkmaterialsinternational.com |date=2010-03-30 |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref> [[Conakry International Airport]] is the largest airport in the country, with flights to other cities in Africa as well as to Europe. === Major roads === The major roads of Guinea are the following: * N1 connects Conakry, Coyah, Kindia, Mamou, Dabola, Kouroussa, and Kankan. * N2 connects Mamou, Faranah, Kissidougou, Guékédou, Macenta, Nzérékoré, and Lola. * N4 connects Coyah, Forécariah, and, Farmoreya. * N5 connects Mamou, Dalaba, Pita, and Labé. * N6 connects Kissidougou, Kankan, and Siguiri. * N20 connects Kamsar, Kolaboui, and Boké. ==Demography== {{Main article|Demography of Guinea}} The population of Guinea is estimated at {{#expr:{{replace|{{UN_Population|Guinea}}|,||}}/1e6 round 1}}&nbsp;million. [[Conakry]], the capital and largest city, is the hub of Guinea's economy, commerce, education, and culture. In 2014, the [[total fertility rate]] (TFR) of Guinea was estimated at 4.93 children born per woman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2127rank.html|title=The World Factbook|publisher=|accessdate=15 October 2014}}</ref> === Urbanization === {{Largest cities of Guinea}} ===Languages=== {{main article|Languages of Guinea}} [[File:Pita, Guinea.gif|thumb|200px|Guinean women]] The official language of Guinea is [[French language|French]]. Other significant languages spoken are [[Fula language|Pular]] (Fulfulde or Fulani), [[Maninka language|Maninka]] (Malinke), [[Susu language|Susu]], [[Kissi language|Kissi]], [[Kpelle language|Kpelle]], and [[Loma language|Loma]]. ===Ethnic groups=== The population of Guinea comprises about 24 ethnic groups. The [[Mandinka people|Mandinka]], also known as Mandingo or Malinké, comprise 29.8%<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gv.html</ref> of the population and are mostly found in eastern Guinea concentrated around the [[Kankan Prefecture|Kankan]] and [[Kissidougou Prefecture|Kissidougou]] prefectures.<ref name=guinea_stats/> The [[Fula people|Fulas or Fulani]] ({{lang-fr|link=no|Peuls}}; {{lang-ff|Fulɓe}}), comprise 32.1%<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gv.html</ref> of the population and are mostly found in the [[Futa Djallon|Futa Djallon region]]. The [[Soussou]], comprising 19.8% of the population, are predominantly in western areas around the capital [[Conakry]], [[Forécariah]], and [[Kindia]]. Smaller ethnic groups make up the remaining 18.3%<ref>https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gv.html</ref> of the population, including [[Kpelle people|Kpelle]], [[Kissi people|Kissi]], [[Zialo]], Toma and others.<ref name=guinea_stats/> Approximately 10,000 non-Africans live in Guinea, predominantly Lebanese, French, and other Europeans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2824.htm |title=Guinea |website=State.gov |date=2016-11-22 |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref> ===Religion=== {{Further information|Religion in Guinea}} {{bar box |title=Guinea religious sects<ref name="islam">{{cite web|author=United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/4cf2d06b43.html |title=2010 Report on International Religious Freedom – Sierra Leone |publisher=UNHCR.org |accessdate=20 May 2012}}</ref> |titlebar=#ddd |left1='''Religion''' |right1='''Percent''' |float=right |bars= {{bar percent|[[Islam]]|lightgreen|85}}<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://oluseguntoday.wordpress.com/2009/10/13/71-of-sierra-leoneans-are-muslims/ |title=71% of Sierra Leoneans are Muslims &#124; OlusegunToday |website=Oluseguntoday.wordpress.com |date= |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref> {{bar percent|[[Christianity]]|blue|8}} {{bar percent|[[Traditional African religion]]|brown|7}} }} [[File:Conakrymosque.jpg|thumb|200px|The [[Conakry Grand Mosque]] in Guinea, one of the largest mosques in West Africa]] The population of Guinea is approximately 85 percent [[Muslim]], 8 percent [[Christian]], with 7 percent adhering to indigenous religious beliefs.<ref name="state.gov">[https://www.state.gov/documents/organization/208368.pdf "Guinea 2012 International Religious Freedom Report"], US State Department, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.</ref> Much of the population, both Muslim and Christian, also incorporate indigenous African beliefs into their outlook.<ref name="state.gov"/> The vast majority of Guinean [[Muslims]] are adherent to the [[Sunni Islam|Sunni]] tradition of [[Islam]], of [[Maliki]] school of jurisprudence, influenced with [[Sufism]],<ref>[https://www.jstor.org/pss/3818383 Kenneth Harrow, "A Sufi Interpretation of 'Le Regard du Roi']", ''Research in African Literature'' v. 14 no. 2 (Summer, 1983)</ref> with many [[Ahmadiyya]];<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/?id=v2yiyLLOj88C&pg=PA1280&dq#v=onepage&q&f=false | title=Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs | publisher = | page=1280 | author=J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann | isbn=978-1-59884-203-6 | accessdate=4 June 2014| date=2010-09-21 }}</ref> there are relatively few [[Shi'a Islam|Shi'a]] in Guinea. Christian groups include [[Roman Catholics]], [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]], [[Baptists]], [[Seventh-day Adventist Church|Seventh-day Adventists]], and [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] groups. [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] are active in the country and recognized by the Government. There is a small [[Bahá'í Faith|Baha'i]] community. There are small numbers of [[Hinduism|Hindus]], [[Buddhism|Buddhists]], and traditional Chinese religious groups among the [[expatriate]] community.<ref>[https://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108372.htm International Religious Freedom Report 2008: Guinea]. United States [[Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor]] (29 December 2008). ''This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the [[public domain]].''</ref> There were three days of ethno-religious fighting in the city of [[Nzerekore]] in July 2013.<ref name="Guinea 2013"/><ref name="bbc.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-23335719|title="Guinean troops deployed after deadly ethnic clashes", BBC Africa, 17 July 2013.|work=BBC News|accessdate=15 October 2014}}</ref> Fighting between ethnic [[Kpelle people|Kpelle]], who are Christian or animist, and ethnic Konianke, who are Muslims and close to the larger [[Malinke]] ethnic group, left at least 54 dead.<ref name="bbc.com"/> The dead included people who were killed with machetes and burned alive.<ref name="bbc.com"/> The violence ended after the Guinea military imposed a curfew, and President Conde made a televised appeal for calm.<ref name="bbc.com"/> ==Education== {{Main article|Education in Guinea}} [[File:Guinea schoolgirls.jpg|Schoolgirls in [[Conakry]], Guinea|thumb]] The literacy rate of Guinea is one of the lowest in the world: in 2010 it was estimated that only 41% of adults were literate (52% of males and 30% of females).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2103.html|title=The World Factbook|publisher=|accessdate=15 October 2014}}</ref> Primary education is compulsory for 6 years,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2015&dlid=252689|title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2015: Guinea|accessdate=19 November 2016|author=[[Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor]]|publisher=[[United States Department of State]]}}</ref> but most children do not attend for so long, and many do not go to school at all. In 1999, primary school attendance was 40 percent. Children, particularly girls, are kept out of school in order to assist their parents with domestic work or agriculture,<ref>[http://www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/tda2001/guinea.htm Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) – U.S. Department of Labor] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205042438/http://www.dol.gov/ilab/media/reports/iclp/tda2001/guinea.htm |date=5 December 2008 }}. Dol.gov. Retrieved on 28 June 2011.</ref> or to be married: Guinea has one of the highest rates of [[child marriage]] in the world.<ref>According to the WHO:"The 10 countries with the highest rates of child marriage are: Niger, 75%; Chad and Central African Republic, 68%; India, 66%; '''Guinea, 63%'''; Mozambique, 56%; Mali, 55%; Burkina Faso and South Sudan, 52%; and Malawi, 50%."[http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2013/child_marriage_20130307/en/]</ref> ==Health== {{Further information|Health in Guinea}} ===Ebola=== {{Further information|Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa}} In 2014, there was an outbreak of the [[Ebola virus epidemic in Guinea|Ebola virus in Guinea]]. In response, the health ministry banned [[Bushmeat|the sale and consumption of bats]], thought to be carriers of the disease. Despite this measure, the virus eventually spread from rural areas to [[Conakry]],<ref>{{cite news |date= 28 March 2014 |title= Ebola: Guinea outbreak reaches capital Conakry |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-26774343 |publisher= BBC |accessdate= 30 March 2014 }}</ref> and by late June 2014 had spread to neighboring countries [[Sierra Leone]] and [[Liberia]]. In early August 2014 Guinea closed its borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia to help contain the spreading of the virus, as more new cases of the disease were being reported in those countries than in Guinea. The outbreak began in early December, in a village called Meliandou, southeastern Guinea, not far from the borders with both Liberia and Sierra Leone. The first known case was a two-year-old child who died, after fever and vomiting and passing black stool, on December 6. The child's mother died a week later, then a sister and a grandmother, all with symptoms that included fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. Then, by way of caregiving visits or attendance at funerals, the outbreak spread to other villages. Unsafe burials remained one of the primary sources of the transmission of the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the inability to engage with local communities hindered the ability of health workers to trace the origins and strains of the virus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.who.int/ebola/current-situation/ebola-situation-report-4-march-2015|title=Ebola Situation Report – 4 March 2015 {{!}} Ebola|website=apps.who.int|language=en|access-date=2017-02-14}}</ref> While WHO terminated the Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 29 March 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2016/end-of-ebola-pheic/en/|title=Ebola is no longer a public health emergency|website=World Health Organization|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-02-14}}</ref> the Ebola Situation Report released on 30 March confirmed 5 more cases in the preceding two weeks, with viral sequencing relating one of the cases to the November 2014 outbreak.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apps.who.int/ebola/current-situation/ebola-situation-report-30-march-2016|title=Ebola Situation Report – 30 March 2016 {{!}} Ebola|website=apps.who.int|language=en|access-date=2017-02-14}}</ref> The epidemic also affected the treatment of other diseases in Guinea. There was a decline in healthcare visits by the population due to fear of being infected and mistrust in the health care system, and a decrease in the system's ability to provide routine health care and HIV/AIDS treatments due to the Ebola outbreak.<ref>[http://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736(15)60713-9.pdf] {{dead link|date=July 2017}}</ref> ===Maternal and child healthcare=== The 2010 maternal mortality rate per 100,000 births for Guinea is 680. This is compared with 859.9 in 2008 and 964.7 in 1990. The under 5 mortality rate, per 1,000 births is 146 and the neonatal mortality as a percentage of under 5's mortality is 29. In Guinea the number of midwives per 1,000 live births is 1 and the lifetime risk of death for pregnant women is 1 in 26.<ref name="SOWMY">{{cite web|url=http://www.unfpa.org/sowmy/report/home.html|title=The State of the World's Midwifery|publisher=United Nations Population Fund|accessdate=August 25, 2011}}</ref> Guinea has the second highest prevalence of [[female genital mutilation]] in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/prevalence/en/|title=WHO – Female genital mutilation and other harmful practices|publisher=|accessdate=15 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unicef.org/media/files/FGCM_Lo_res.pdf |title=Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical overview and exploration of the dynamics of change - UNICEF DATA |website=Unicef.org |date=2013-07-22 |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref> ===HIV/AIDS=== {{Main article|HIV/AIDS in Guinea}} An estimated 170,000 adults and children were infected at the end of 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.who.int/hiv/HIVCP_GIN.pdf |title=Status of HIV/AIDS in Guinea, 2005 |accessdate=30 September 2007 |year=2005 |format=PDF |publisher=World Health Organisation }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.who.int/GlobalAtlas/predefinedReports/EFS2006/EFS_PDFs/EFS2006_GN.pdf |title=Epidemiological Fact Sheets: HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections, December 2006 |accessdate=30 September 2007 |date=December 2006 |format=PDF |publisher=World Health Organisation |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025053159/http://www.who.int/GlobalAtlas/predefinedReports/EFS2006/EFS_PDFs/EFS2006_GN.pdf |archivedate=25 October 2007 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Surveillance surveys conducted in 2001 and 2002 show higher rates of HIV in urban areas than in rural areas. Prevalence was highest in [[Conakry]] (5%) and in the cities of the [[Forest Guinea]] region (7%) bordering [[Côte d’Ivoire]], [[Liberia]], and [[Sierra Leone]].<ref name=usaid>[http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/aids/Countries/africa/guinea_05.pdf "Health Profile: Guinea"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081113214710/http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/aids/Countries/africa/guinea_05.pdf |date=13 November 2008 }}. [[USAID]] (March 2005). {{PD-notice}}</ref> HIV is spread primarily through multiple-partner [[heterosexual]] intercourse. Men and women are at nearly equal risk for HIV, with young people aged 15 to 24 most vulnerable. Surveillance figures from 2001–2002 show high rates among commercial sex workers (42%), active military personnel (6.6%), truck drivers and bush taxi drivers (7.3%), miners (4.7%), and adults with tuberculosis (8.6%).<ref name=usaid/> Several factors are fueling the HIV/[[AIDS]] epidemic in Guinea. They include unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, illiteracy, endemic poverty, unstable borders, refugee migration, lack of civic responsibility, and scarce medical care and public services.<ref name=usaid/> ===Malnutrition=== Malnutrition is a serious problem for Guinea. A 2012 study reported high chronic malnutrition rates, with levels ranging from 34% to 40% by region, as well as acute malnutrition rates above 10% in Upper Guinea’s mining zones. The survey showed that 139,200 children suffer from acute malnutrition, 609,696 from chronic malnutrition and further 1,592,892 suffer from anemia. Degradation of care practices, limited access to medical services, inadequate hygiene practices and a lack of food diversity explain these levels.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://home.wfp.org/stellent/groups/public/documents/eb/wfpdoc062106.pdf |title=Enquête nationale nutrition-santé, basée sur la méthodologie SMART, 2011–2012 |accessdate=12 May 2014 |year=2012 |format=PDF |publisher=World Food Programme }}</ref> ===Malaria=== [[Malaria]] is prevalent in Guinea. It is transmitted year-round, with peak transmission from July through October.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pmi.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/malaria-operational-plans/fy14/guinea_mop_fy14.pdf?sfvrsn=8 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-08-24 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120928/http://www.pmi.gov/docs/default-source/default-document-library/malaria-operational-plans/fy14/guinea_mop_fy14.pdf?sfvrsn=8 |archivedate=26 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Malaria is one of the top causes of disability in Guinea.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/files/country_profiles/GBD/ihme_gbd_country_report_guinea.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-08-24 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826120427/http://www.healthdata.org/sites/default/files/files/country_profiles/GBD/ihme_gbd_country_report_guinea.pdf |archivedate=26 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> ==Culture== [[File:Guinea Dinguiraye market.jpg|thumb|300px|A market stall selling vegetables in [[Dinguiraye Prefecture]], Guinea]] === Polygamy === {{Further information|Polygamy in Guinea}} Polygamy is generally prohibited by law in Guinea, however, there are exceptions.<ref>[http://ddata.over-blog.com/xxxyyy/2/86/20/02/CODE-CIVIL.pdf Articles 315-319], Civil Code of the Republic of Guinea (Code Civil de la Republique de Guinee)</ref> [[UNICEF]] reports that 53.4% of Guinean women aged 15–49 are in polygamous marriages.<ref>[http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Early_Marriage_12.lo.pdf "''Early Marriage A Harmful Traditional Practice – A Statistical Exploration''"] UNICEF, 2005, p. 38.</ref> === Music === {{Further information|Music of Guinea}} Like other West African countries, Guinea has a rich musical tradition. The group [[Bembeya Jazz]] became popular in the 1960s after Guinean independence. === Cuisine === {{Further information|Cuisine of Guinea}} [[Guinean cuisine]] varies by region with rice as the most common staple. Cassava is also widely consumed.<ref name=friends>{{cite web|url=http://friendsofguinea.org/about-guinea/recipes |title=Recipes & Cookbooks |publisher=Friends of Guinea |date= |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref> Part of [[West African cuisine]], the foods of Guinea include [[jollof rice]], [[maafe]], and [[tapalapa bread]]. In rural areas, food is eaten from a large serving dish and eaten by hand outside of homes.<ref name=dc>{{cite web|url=http://wamu.org/programs/metro_connection/12/09/21/eating_in_the_embassy_guinean_embassy_brings_west_african_food_to_washington |title=Eating In The Embassy: Guinean Embassy Brings West African Food To Washington |publisher=WAMU |date= |accessdate=2017-07-23}}</ref> ==See also== {{portal|Guinea|Africa|Geography|<!--West Africa-->|<!--African Union-->|<!--ECOWAS-->}} * [[Outline of Guinea]] * [[Index of Guinea-related articles]] * [[Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative]] * [[List of Guineans]] * [[Agriculture in Guinea]] {{clear}} ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Sister project links|voy=Guinea}} * {{Official website|http://www.presidence.gov.gn/}} {{fr icon}} * {{CIA World Factbook link|gv|Guinea}} * [http://ucblibraries.colorado.edu/govpubs/for/guinea.htm Guinea] from ''UCB Libraries GovPubs'' * {{dmoz|Regional/Africa/Guinea}} * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13442051 Guinea profile] from the [[BBC News]] * {{wikiatlas|Guinea}} *[http://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/Country/GIN/Year/2008/Summary Guinea 2008 Summary Trade Statistics] {{Guinea topics}} {{Countries of Africa}} {{Navboxes | title = International membership | list = {{African Union}} {{La Francophonie}} {{Organisation of the Islamic Conference}} }} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Guinea| ]] [[Category:Economic Community of West African States]] [[Category:French-speaking countries and territories]] [[Category:Least developed countries]] [[Category:Member states of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie]] [[Category:Member states of the African Union]] [[Category:Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]] [[Category:Republics]] [[Category:States and territories established in 1958]] [[Category:Member states of the United Nations]] [[Category:West African countries]] [[Category:1958 establishments in Guinea]] [[Category:Countries in Africa]]'