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Africa :: Guinea
page last updated on August 11, 2009
Flag of Guinea
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Guinea
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Map of Guinea
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Introduction ::Guinea
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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 as well as political and union activity. Guinea has maintained some semblance of internal stability despite spillover effects from conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As those countries have rebuilt, however, Guinea's own vulnerability to political and economic crisis has increased. Declining economic conditions and popular dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes in 2006, and a third nationwide strike in early 2007.
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Geography ::Guinea
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Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
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11 00 N, 10 00 W
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total: 245,857 sq km
country comparison to the world: 85
land: 245,717 sq km
water: 140 sq km
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slightly smaller than Oregon
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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
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320 km
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territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
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generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
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generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
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lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
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bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt
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arable land: 4.47%
permanent crops: 2.64%
other: 92.89% (2005)
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950 sq km (2003)
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226 cu km (1987)
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total: 1.51 cu km/yr (8%/2%/90%)
per capita: 161 cu m/yr (2000)
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hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
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deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage
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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
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the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands
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People ::Guinea
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10,057,975 (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
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0-14 years: 42.8% (male 2,175,852/female 2,128,518)
15-64 years: 53.7% (male 2,701,184/female 2,704,161)
65 years and over: 3.5% (male 153,053/female 195,207) (2009 est.)
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total: 18.5 years
male: 18.2 years
female: 18.7 years (2009 est.)
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2.572% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
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37.52 births/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
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11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
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-0.8 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
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urban population: 34% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 3.5% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
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at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
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total: 65.22 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 31
male: 68.7 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 61.63 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)
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total population: 57.09 years
country comparison to the world: 189
male: 55.63 years
female: 58.6 years (2009 est.)
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5.2 children born/woman (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 23
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1.6% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
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87,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
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4,500 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
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degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever (2009)
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noun: Guinean(s)
adjective: Guinean
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Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%
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Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
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French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 29.5%
male: 42.6%
female: 18.1% (2003 est.)
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total: 8 years
male: 10 years
female: 7 years (2006)
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1.6% of GDP (2005)
country comparison to the world: 173
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Government ::Guinea
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conventional long form: Republic of Guinea
conventional short form: Guinea
local long form: Republique de Guinee
local short form: Guinee
former: French Guinea
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republic
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name: Conakry
geographic coordinates: 9 33 N, 13 42 W
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
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33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou
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2 October 1958 (from France)
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Independence Day, 2 October (1958)
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23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)
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based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
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18 years of age; universal
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chief of state: Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA, President of the National Council for Democracy and Development, who led a military coup following the death of President Lansana CONTE on 22 December 2008
head of government: Prime Minister Kabine KOMARA (since 30 December 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 21 December 2003 (ad hoc election scheduled for 13 December 2009); the prime minister is appointed by the president
election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE 95.3%, Mamadou Bhoye BARRY 4.6%
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unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by a mixed system of direct popular vote and proportional party lists)
elections: last held 30 June 2002 (legislative elections due in 2007 were first rescheduled for 2008 and subsequently rescheduled for 11 October 2009)
election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9
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Court of First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
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National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP (the governing party) [Sekou KONATE]; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Charles Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Ousmane BAH]
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National Confederation of Guinean Workers-Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance (includes National Confederation of Guinean Workers or CNTG [Rabiatou Sarah DIALLO] and Labor Union of Guinean Workers or USTG [Dr. Ibrahima FOFANA]); National Council of Civil Society Organizations of Guinea or CNOSCG [Ben Sekou SYLLA]; Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG [Dr. Louis M'Bemba SOUMAH]
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ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
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chief of mission: Ambassador Mory Karamoko KABA
chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-9420
FAX: [1] (202) 483-8688
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chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Elizabeth RASPOLIC
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
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three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
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Economy ::Guinea
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Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country has almost half of the world's bauxite reserves. The mining sector accounts for more than 70% of exports. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Investor confidence has been sapped by rampant corruption, a lack of electricity and other infrastructure, a lack of skilled workers, and the political uncertainty because of the death of President Lansana CONTE in December 2008. Guinea is trying to reengage with the IMF and World Bank, which cut off most assistance in 2003, and is working closely with technical advisors from the U.S. Treasury Department, the World Bank and IMF, seeking to return to a fully funded program. Growth rose slightly in 2006-08, primarily due to increases in global demand and commodity prices on world markets, but the standard of living fell. The Guinea franc depreciated sharply as the prices for basic necessities like food and fuel rose beyond the reach of most Guineans. Dissatisfaction with economic conditions prompted nationwide strikes in February and June 2006.
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$10.44 billion (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147
$10.15 billion (2007)
$9.997 billion (2006)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
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$4.454 billion (2008 est.)
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2.9% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
1.5% (2007 est.)
2.2% (2006 est.)
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$1,100 (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 208
$1,100 (2007 est.)
$1,100 (2006 est.)
note: data are in 2008 US dollars
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agriculture: 22.4%
industry: 40.9%
services: 36.6% (2008 est.)
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3.7 million (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
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agriculture: 76%
industry and services: 24% (2006 est.)
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NA%
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47% (2006 est.)
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lowest 10%: 1.9%
highest 10%: 41% (2006)
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38.1 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 73
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11.7% of GDP (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
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revenues: $315 million
expenditures: $796.5 million (2008 est.)
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30% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 219
23.4% (2007 est.)
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NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 5
22.25% (31 December 2005)
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$NA (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 143
$309.8 million (31 December 2005)
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$NA
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rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
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bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron; alumina refining; light manufacturing, and agricultural processing
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8% (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
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800 million kWh
country comparison to the world: 152
note: excludes electricity generated at interior mining sites (2006 est.)
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744 million kWh (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
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0 kWh (2007 est.)
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0 kWh (2007 est.)
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0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
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8,559 bbl/day (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
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0 bbl/day (2005)
country comparison to the world: 197
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8,811 bbl/day (2005)
country comparison to the world: 139
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0 bbl (1 January 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
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0 cu m (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100
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0 cu m (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
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0 cu m (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
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0 cu m (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
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0 cu m (1 January 2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
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$-535 million (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
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$1.202 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
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bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products
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Russia 10.8%, Ukraine 9.6%, Spain 8.8%, US 7.5%, Germany 7.4%, South Korea 7.2%, France 7%, Ireland 5.5%, China 5% (2007)
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$1.392 billion f.o.b. (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
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petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
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China 10%, France 7%, Netherlands 6.3% (2007)
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$92 million (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
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$3.529 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
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Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar - 5,500 (2008 est.), 4,122.8 (2007), 5,350 (2006), 3,644.3 (2005), 2,225 (2004)
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Communications ::Guinea
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26,300 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 181
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189,000 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 170
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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; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 2 per 100 persons
international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
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AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006)
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6 (2001)
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.gn
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16 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 211
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50,000 (2006)
country comparison to the world: 165
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Transportation ::Guinea
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17 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 140
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total: 5
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2008)
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total: 12
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 2 (2008)
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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)
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total: 44,348 km
country comparison to the world: 83
paved: 4,342 km
unpaved: 40,006 km (2003)
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1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2008)
country comparison to the world: 58
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Conakry, Kamsar
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Military ::Guinea
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National Armed Forces: Army, Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Air Force (2009)
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18-25 years of age for compulsory or voluntary military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (2009)
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males age 16-49: 2,230,049
females age 16-49: 2,193,236 (2008 est.)
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males age 16-49: 1,396,278
females age 16-49: 1,435,387 (2009 est.)
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male: 110,281
female: 107,879 (2009 est.)
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1.7% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 97
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Transnational Issues ::Guinea
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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
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refugees (country of origin): 21,856 (Liberia); 5,259 (Sierra Leone); 3,900 (Cote d'Ivoire)
IDPs: 19,000 (cross-border incursions from Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone) (2007)
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current situation: Guinea is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children, and internal trafficking is more prevalent than transnational trafficking; within the country, girls are trafficked primarily for domestic servitude and sexual exploitation, while boys are trafficked for forced agricultural labor, and as forced beggars, street vendors, shoe shiners, and laborers in gold and diamond mines; some Guinean men are also trafficked for agricultural labor within Guinea; transnationally, girls are trafficked into Guinea for domestic servitude and likely also for sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking over 2006; Guinea demonstrated minimal law enforcement efforts for a second year in a row, while protection efforts diminished over efforts in 2006; the government did not report any trafficking convictions in 2007; due to a lack of resources, the government does not provide shelter services for trafficking victims; the government took no measures to reduce the demand for commercial sexual exploitation (2008)
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