Guinea is a country in West Africa, about the same size as the United Kingdom. In the west there are swampy coastal lowlands and mangrove forests. Here, situated on the Atlantic coast, is the capital and port city of Conakry. Inland, central Guinea, the Fouta Djallon, is hilly and forested. Beyond these hills lie green savanna plains. Highlands, blanketed by rainforest, rise in the southeast of the country. This warm, fertile region is good for growing crops such as coffee. Most of Guinea has a hot, tropical climate with two seasons: rainy and dry. The coast is wettest; in the highlands, conditions are drier and slightly cooler.

People

The largest ethnic group in Guinea are the Fulani people, who make up around 40% of the population. They mainly live in the central part of the country. Another large group, the Malinké, live in the east, while the Soussou live along the western coast. Around 87% of the population are Muslims. Many Guineans, whether Muslim or Christian, also follow traditional beliefs such as animism.

Farming

Guinea has some of West Africa’s richest natural resources, but remains one of its poorest nations. The land here is fertile, and nearly everyone in the countryside makes a living from farming and fishing. They grow rice, cassava and sweet potatoes for their families. Some people work on larger plantations growing pineapples and bananas for export. Many children only go to school for a few years before starting work on their families’ farms at a young age.

Minerals

Guinea has huge deposits of diamonds and gold, as well as large reserves of iron ore. Its reserves of bauxite (the ore of the metal aluminium) are the largest in the world. After Australia, it is the world's second-largest producer of bauxite. Since Guinea became independent, however, a lack of political stability has made it hard for these industries to develop. Mining its rich reserves of iron ore will be difficult and expensive, as new mines, railways and port facilities will have to be built.

Facts about Guinea

Population 13,986,179 (2024 estimate)

Area 245,717 sq km

Highest point Mount Nimba 1752 m (5748 ft)

Capital Conakry, metro area population 2,178,600

Other major cities Nzérékoré (195,027), Kankan (190,722)

Languages French, indigenous languages

Religions Muslim 87%, Christian 3.5%, indigenous beliefs 9.5%

Ethnicity Fulani 40%, Malinké 30%, Soussou 20%, others 10%

Currency Guinean franc (GNF)

Chief exports bauxite, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish