Changes

The coastal region of Guinea and most of the inland have a tropical climate, with a rainy season lasting from April to November, relatively high and uniform temperatures, and high humidity. Conakry's year-round average high is 29^oC (85^oF), and the low is 23^oC (74^oF); its average annual rainfall is 430 centimeters (169 inches). Sahelian Upper Guinea has a shorter rainy season and greater daily temperature variations.  

The coastal region of Guinea and most of the inland have a tropical climate, with a rainy season lasting from April to November, relatively high and uniform temperatures, and high humidity. Conakry's year-round average high is 29^oC (85^oF), and the low is 23^oC (74^oF); its average annual rainfall is 430 centimeters (169 inches). Sahelian Upper Guinea has a shorter rainy season and greater daily temperature variations.  

*Area: 245,860 sq. km. (95,000 sq. mi.), about the size of Oregon.

*Area: 245,860 sq. km. (95,000 sq. mi.), about the size of Oregon.

*Cities: Capital--Conakry. Other cities--Guéckédou, Boké, Kindia, N'Zérékoré, Macenta, Mamou, Kankan, Faranah, Siguiri, Dalaba, Labe, Pita, Kamsar.

*Cities: Capital—Conakry. Other cities—Guéckédou, Boké, Kindia, N'Zérékoré, Macenta, Mamou, Kankan, Faranah, Siguiri, Dalaba, Labe, Pita, Kamsar.

*Terrain: Generally flat along the coast and mountainous in the interior. The country's four geographic regions include a narrow coastal belt; pastoral highlands (the source of West Africa's major rivers); the northern savanna; and the southeastern rain forest.

*Terrain: Generally flat along the coast and mountainous in the interior. The country's four geographic regions include a narrow coastal belt; pastoral highlands (the source of West Africa's major rivers); the northern savanna; and the southeastern rain forest.

*Climate: Tropical.  

*Climate: Tropical.  

:Several small groups (Gerzé, Toma, etc.) in the forest region.  

:Several small groups (Gerzé, Toma, etc.) in the forest region.  

West Africans make up the largest non-Guinean population. Non-Africans total about 10,000 (mostly Lebanese, French, and other Europeans). Seven national languages are used extensively; major written languages are French, Peuhl, and Arabic.  

West Africans make up the largest non-Guinean population. Non-Africans total about 10,000 (mostly Lebanese, French, and other Europeans). Seven national languages are used extensively; major written languages are French, Peuhl, and Arabic.  

*Population (2002 census): 8,444,559, including refugees and foreign residents. Refugee population (2006 est.): 60,000 Liberians and Ivoiriens. *Population of Conakry: 2 million. Population of largest prefectures--Guéckédou (487,017), Boké (366,915), Kindia (361,117), N'Zérékoré (328,347), Macenta (365,559).

*Population (2002 census): 8,444,559, including refugees and foreign residents. Refugee population (2006 est.): 60,000 Liberians and Ivoiriens. *Population of Conakry: 2 million. Population of largest prefectures—Guéckédou (487,017), Boké (366,915), Kindia (361,117), N'Zérékoré (328,347), Macenta (365,559).

*Annual growth rate (2002 census): 3.5%.

*Annual growth rate (2002 census): 3.5%.

*Ethnic groups: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, other ethnic groups 10%.

*Ethnic groups: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, other ethnic groups 10%.

*Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, traditional beliefs 7%.

*Religions: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, traditional beliefs 7%.

*Languages: French (official), national languages.

*Languages: French (official), national languages.

*Education: Years compulsory--8. Enrollment--primary school, 64.32% (male 78.71%, female 69.03%); secondary, 15%; and post secondary, 3%. *Literacy (total population over age 15 that can read and write)--44.2% (male 58.74%, female 26.38%).

*Education: Years compulsory—8. Enrollment—primary school, 64.32% (male 78.71%, female 69.03%); secondary, 15%; and post secondary, 3%. *Literacy (total population over age 15 that can read and write)--44.2% (male 58.74%, female 26.38%).

*Health (2002): Life expectancy--total population 54 years. Infant mortality rate (2002)--98/1000.

*Health (2002): Life expectancy—total population 54 years. Infant mortality rate (2002)--98/1000.

*Work force (2002, 4.5 million): Agriculture--76%; industry and commerce--18%; services--6%.  

*Work force (2002, 4.5 million): Agriculture—76%; industry and commerce—18%; services—6%.  

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===  

*President--Alpha Condé

*President—Alpha Condé

*Prime Minister (Head of Government)--Mohamed Said Fofana

*Prime Minister (Head of Government)--Mohamed Said Fofana

*Minister of Economy and Finance--Ousmane Doré

*Minister of Economy and Finance—Ousmane Doré

*Minister of Foreign Affairs--Abdoul Kabèlè Camara

*Minister of Foreign Affairs—Abdoul Kabèlè Camara

*Minster of the Interior and Security--Dr. Mamadou Beau Kéita

*Minster of the Interior and Security—Dr. Mamadou Beau Kéita

*Minister of National Education and Scientific Research--Dr. Ousmane Souaré

*Minister of National Education and Scientific Research—Dr. Ousmane Souaré

*Minister of Defense--vacant

*Minister of Defense—vacant

*Ambassador to the United Nations--Alpha Ibrahima Sow  

*Ambassador to the United Nations—Alpha Ibrahima Sow  

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

==Defense==

==Defense==

Guinea's armed forces are divided into four branches--army, navy, air force, and gendarmerie--whose chiefs report to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The 10,000-member army is the largest of the four services. The navy has about 900 personnel and operates several small patrol craft and barges. Air force personnel total about 700; its equipment includes several Russian-supplied fighter planes and transport planes. Several thousand gendarmes are responsible for internal security.  

Guinea's armed forces are divided into four branches—army, navy, air force, and gendarmerie—whose chiefs report to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The 10,000-member army is the largest of the four services. The navy has about 900 personnel and operates several small patrol craft and barges. Air force personnel total about 700; its equipment includes several Russian-supplied fighter planes and transport planes. Several thousand gendarmes are responsible for internal security.  

==Economy==

==Economy==

Richly endowed with minerals, Guinea possesses over 25 billion metric tons (MT) of bauxite--and perhaps up to one half of the world's reserves. In addition, Guinea's mineral wealth includes more than 4 billion tons of high-grade iron ore, significant diamond and gold deposits, and undetermined quantities of uranium. Guinea has considerable potential for growth in the agricultural and fishing sectors. Soil, water, and climatic conditions provide opportunities for large-scale irrigated farming and agro industry. 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.  

Richly endowed with minerals, Guinea possesses over 25 billion metric tons (MT) of bauxite—and perhaps up to one half of the world's reserves. In addition, Guinea's mineral wealth includes more than 4 billion tons of high-grade iron ore, significant diamond and gold deposits, and undetermined quantities of uranium. Guinea has considerable potential for growth in the agricultural and fishing sectors. Soil, water, and climatic conditions provide opportunities for large-scale irrigated farming and agro industry. 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.  

*GDP (2005 est.): $3.38 billion.

*GDP (2005 est.): $3.38 billion.

*Annual economic growth rate (2005 est.): 3.3%.

*Annual economic growth rate (2005 est.): 3.3%.

*Avg. inflation rate (2005): 30.9%.

*Avg. inflation rate (2005): 30.9%.

*Natural resources: Bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, water power, uranium, fisheries.

*Natural resources: Bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, water power, uranium, fisheries.

*Industry (30.9% of GDP): Types--mining, light manufacturing, construction.

*Industry (30.9% of GDP): Types—mining, light manufacturing, construction.

*Agriculture (19.5% of GDP): Products--rice, cassava, fonio, millet, corn, coffee, cocoa, bananas, palm products, pineapples, livestock, forestry. Arable land--35%. Cultivated land--4.5%.  

*Agriculture (19.5% of GDP): Products—rice, cassava, fonio, millet, corn, coffee, cocoa, bananas, palm products, pineapples, livestock, forestry. Arable land—35%. Cultivated land—4.5%.  

*Trade (45.1% of GDP): Exports (2005)--$806.6 million: bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, pineapples, bananas, palm products, coffee. Major markets--European Union, U.S., Commonwealth of Independent States, China, Eastern Europe, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco.

*Trade (45.1% of GDP): Exports (2005)--$806.6 million: bauxite, alumina, diamonds, gold, coffee, pineapples, bananas, palm products, coffee. Major markets—European Union, U.S., Commonwealth of Independent States, China, Eastern Europe, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Morocco.

*Official exchange rate (May 2006): Approximately 4833 Guinean francs=U.S. $1.  

*Official exchange rate (May 2006): Approximately 4833 Guinean francs=U.S. $1.  

*Fiscal year: January 1-December 31.  

*Fiscal year: January 1-December 31.  

Under Touré, Guinea became a one-party dictatorship, with a closed, socialized economy and no tolerance for human rights, free expression, or political opposition, which was ruthlessly suppressed. Originally credited for his advocacy of cross-ethnic nationalism, Touré gradually came to rely on his own Malinke ethnic group to fill positions in the party and government. Alleging plots and conspiracies against him at home and abroad, Touré's regime targeted real and imagined opponents, imprisoning many thousands in Soviet-style prison gulags, where hundreds perished. The regime's repression drove more than a million Guineans into exile, and Touré's paranoia ruined relations with foreign nations, including neighboring African states, increasing Guinea's isolation and further devastating its economy.  

Under Touré, Guinea became a one-party dictatorship, with a closed, socialized economy and no tolerance for human rights, free expression, or political opposition, which was ruthlessly suppressed. Originally credited for his advocacy of cross-ethnic nationalism, Touré gradually came to rely on his own Malinke ethnic group to fill positions in the party and government. Alleging plots and conspiracies against him at home and abroad, Touré's regime targeted real and imagined opponents, imprisoning many thousands in Soviet-style prison gulags, where hundreds perished. The regime's repression drove more than a million Guineans into exile, and Touré's paranoia ruined relations with foreign nations, including neighboring African states, increasing Guinea's isolation and further devastating its economy.  

Sékou Touré and the PDG remained in power until his death on April 3, 1984. A military junta--the Military Committee of National Recovery (CMRN)--headed by then-Lt. Col. Lansana Conte, seized power just one week after the death of Sékou Touré. The CMRN immediately abolished the constitution, the sole political party (PDG) and its mass youth and women's organizations, and announced the establishment of the Second Republic. In lieu of a constitution, the government was initially based on ordinances, decrees, and decisions issued by the president and various ministers.  

Sékou Touré and the PDG remained in power until his death on April 3, 1984. A military junta—the Military Committee of National Recovery (CMRN)--headed by then-Lt. Col. Lansana Conte, seized power just one week after the death of Sékou Touré. The CMRN immediately abolished the constitution, the sole political party (PDG) and its mass youth and women's organizations, and announced the establishment of the Second Republic. In lieu of a constitution, the government was initially based on ordinances, decrees, and decisions issued by the president and various ministers.  

Political parties were proscribed. The new government also released all prisoners and declared the protection of human rights as one of its primary objectives. It reorganized the judicial system and decentralized the administration. The CMRN also announced its intention to liberalize the economy, promote private enterprise, and encourage foreign investment in order to develop the country's rich natural resources.  

Political parties were proscribed. The new government also released all prisoners and declared the protection of human rights as one of its primary objectives. It reorganized the judicial system and decentralized the administration. The CMRN also announced its intention to liberalize the economy, promote private enterprise, and encourage foreign investment in order to develop the country's rich natural resources.