Page last updated on January 28, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Guinea has had a history of authoritarian rule 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, though all the polls were marred by irregularities. History repeated itself in December 2008 when following President CONTE's death, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seizing power and suspending the constitution. His unwillingness to yield to domestic and international pressure to step down led to heightened political tensions that culminated in September 2009 when presidential guards opened fire on an opposition rally killing more than 150 people, and in early December 2009 when CAMARA was wounded in an assassination attempt and evacuated to Morocco and subsequently to Burkina Faso. A transitional government led by Gen. Sekouba KONATE held democratic elections in 2010 and Alpha CONDE was elected president in the country's first free and fair elections since independence. CONDE in July 2011 survived an attack on his residence allegedly perpetrated by the military. In October 2012, he announced a cabinet reshuffle that removed three members of the military from their positions, making the current administration Guinea's first all-civilian government.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11 00 N, 10 00 W
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 245,857 sq km
country comparison to the world: 79
land: 245,717 sq km
water: 140 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Oregon
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3,399 km
border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
320 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 11.59%
permanent crops: 2.81%
other: 85.6% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
949.2 sq km (2003)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
226 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.55 cu km/yr (39%/10%/51%)
per capita: 64.3 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Guinean(s)
adjective: Guinean
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
French (official)
note: each ethnic group has its own language
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11,176,026 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 42.2% (male 2,383,432/female 2,333,960)
15-24 years: 19.4% (male 1,096,664/female 1,075,842)
25-54 years: 30.4% (male 1,700,026/female 1,691,910)
55-64 years: 4.4% (male 235,705/female 259,752)
65 years and over: 3.6% (male 175,896/female 222,839) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 83.2 %
youth dependency ratio: 77.5 %
elderly dependency ratio: 5.7 %
potential support ratio: 17.5 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 18.6 years
male: 18.4 years
female: 18.8 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.64% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36.3 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.94 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 35.4% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.86% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
CONAKRY (capital) 1.597 million (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.8 (2005 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
610 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 13
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 57.11 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 33
male: 60.14 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 53.99 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 59.11 years
country comparison to the world: 195
male: 57.6 years
female: 60.66 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.99 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.6% (2012)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 111
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2005)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
79,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,700 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever
animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.4% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 165
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.8% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 29
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.1% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 140
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 41%
male: 52%
female: 30% (2010 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 8 years (2011)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 571,774
percentage: 25 % (2003 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea
conventional short form: Guinea
local long form: Republique de Guinee
local short form: Guinee
former: French Guinea
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Conakry
geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 13 42 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 regions and 1 governate*; Boke, Conakry*, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou, N'Zerekore
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 October 1958 (from France)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 2 October (1958)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1958, 1990; latest promulgated 19 April 2010, approved 7 May 2010 (2010)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system based on the French model
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Alpha CONDE (since 21 December 2010)
head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Said FOFANA (since 24 December 2010); note - resigned 15 January 2014, no replacement has been appointed
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held on 27 June 2010 with a runoff election held on 7 November 2010
election results: Alpha CONDE elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote Alpha CONDE 52.5%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO 47.5%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members elected by a mixed system of direct popular vote and proportional party lists)
note: the legislature was dissolved by junta leader Moussa Dadis CAMARA in December 2008 and in February 2010, the Transition Government appointed a 155 member National Transition Council (CNT) that has since acted in the legislature's place pending elections finally held on 28 September 2013
elections: last held on 28 September 2013 (next election scheduled for 2018)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPG 53, UFDG 37, UFR 10, others 14
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into Constitutional, Civil, Penal, Commercial, and Administrative Chambers, and Chamber of Accounts; court consists of the first president, chamber presidents, and NA members)
judge selection and term of office: court first president appointed by the national president after consultation with the National Assembly; other members appointed by presidential decree; member tenure NA
subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; courts of first instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; labor court; military tribunal; High Court of Justice; justices of the peace
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
National Party for Hope and Development or PEDN [Lansana KOUYATE]
note: listed are the five most popular parties as of December 2012; overall, there are more than 130 registered parties
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
National Confederation of Guinean Workers-Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance (includes National Confederation of Guinean Workers or CNTG and Labor Union of Guinean Workers or USTG); Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Blaise CHERIF (since 2 September 2011)
chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300
FAX: [1] (202) 478-3010
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Alexander Mark LASKARIS (since 10 September 2012)
embassy: Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle
mailing address: B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry
telephone: [224] 65-10-40-00
FAX: [224] 65-10-42-97
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; red represents the people's sacrifice for liberation and work; yellow stands for the sun, for the riches of the earth, and for justice; green symbolizes the country's vegetation and unity
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the reverse of those on the flags of neighboring Mali and Senegal
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Liberte" (Liberty)
lyrics/music: unknown/Fodeba KEITA
note: adopted 1958
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Guinea is a poor country that possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources. The country has almost half of the world's bauxite reserves and significant iron ore, gold, and diamond reserves. However, Guinea has been unable to profit from this potential, as rampant corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, and political uncertainty have drained investor confidence. In the time since a 2008 coup following the death of long-term President Lansana CONTE, international donors, including the G-8, the IMF, and the World Bank, have significantly curtailed their development programs. Throughout 2009, policies of the ruling military junta severely weakened the economy. The junta leaders spent and printed money at an accelerating rate, driving inflation and debt to perilously high levels. In early 2010, the junta collapsed and was replaced by a transition government, which ceded power in December 2010 to the country's first-ever democratically elected president, Alpha CONDE. International assistance and investment are expected to return to Guinea, but the levels will depend upon the ability of the new government to combat corruption, reform its banking system, improve its business environment, and build infrastructure. IMF and World Bank programs will be especially critical as Guinea attempts to gain debt relief. International investors have expressed keen interest in Guinea's vast iron ore reserves, which could further propel the country's growth. The government put forward a new mining code in September 2011 that includes provisions to combat corruption, protect the environment, and review all existing mining contracts. Longer range plans to deploy broadband Internet throughout the country could spur economic growth as well.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12.04 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$5.556 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1,100 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 215
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA% (2012 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 87%
government consumption: 12%
investment in fixed capital: 38.1%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 28.7%
imports of goods and services: -65.8%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 22.8%
industry: 46.1%
services: 31.1% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (manioc), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron; alumina refining; light manufacturing, and agricultural processing
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.24 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 76%
industry and services: 24% (2006 est.)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47% (2006 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 2.7%
highest 10%: 30.3% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39.4 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 64
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $1.296 billion
expenditures: $1.483 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-3.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 212
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.492 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.915 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.539 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-1.754 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.348 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
India 10.6%, Spain 9.6%, Chile 9.4%, US 7.1%, Ireland 6.3%, Germany 6.3%, Ukraine 5.7%, France 5% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.606 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 14.2%, Netherlands 7.6% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$174.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2.584 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$145 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
969 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
901.2 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
395,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
68.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 139
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8,671 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9,089 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 146
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.419 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 192
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.781 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 115
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system
domestic: Conakry reasonably well-served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding and exceeds 40 per 100 persons
international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
government maintains marginal control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio broadcast station also operates several stations in rural areas; a steadily increasing number of privately owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services (2011)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.gn
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 223
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
95,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 161
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 144
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4
over 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m:
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,185 km
country comparison to the world: 87
standard gauge: 238 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 947 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 44,348 km
country comparison to the world: 80
paved: 4,342 km
unpaved: 40,006 km (2003)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft in the northern part of the Niger system) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 55
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Conakry, Kamsar
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
National Armed Forces: Army, Guinean Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee) (2009)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18-25 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 2,359,203
females age 16-49: 2,329,784 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,493,991
females age 16-49: 1,535,418 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 118,443
female: 115,901 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 6,552 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2012)