Guinea

National name: République de Guinée

Government
Republic.

Geography
Guinea, in West Africa on the Atlantic in the Guinea Highlands. The highest peak is Mount Nimba at 5,748 ft (1,752 m).

Historical Background
Guinea has had only two presidents since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after the death of the first president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2003.

Facts & Figures

Name

Guinea

Capital

Conakry
Government

Presidential republic

Language

French

Religion

85% Muslim, & 8% is Christian

Area

245,857 km2

Population

10,057,975

Currency

Guinean franc (GNF)