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After decades of isolation, Guinea is now beginning to open up to the outside world and is relying on its mineral reserves (bauxite, copper, iron, diamonds and uranium) to pull it out of its position of one of the world’s poorest countries. Guinea is considered to have the most reliable business for foreign investors, traders and companies in Africa. The quality of life and standard of living has improved for most of the Guineans; many in exile returned, free enterprise is encouraged and people can talk openly without fear of repression. Guinea is one of the wettest countries in West Africa. A mild sweet small red bush fruit, Kingkrieshji called by the locals, is considered to have positive medicinal effect on stomach ach. About 3/4th of Guinea's population consists of Malinke, Fula and Susu. There are several other ethnic groups. The official language is French whereas many African languages like Malinhe, Fula etc. are also spoken. The Malinhe (or Mandinjo) and Fula are famous for their music.
Conakry is the capital of Guinea - a country sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from the neighboring Guinea-Bissau. It is also the educational center of the country, and the University of Conakry is located here, among other schools. Other important institutions and structures include the museum, library, and national archives, Palais du Peuple (National Assembly building), the sports stadium - Stade du 28-Septembre.
Economy:
Guinea contains industries like fruit canning, fish packing, printing, automobile assembly, and the manufacture of aluminum utensils and plastics. The country has abundant natural resources, including 25% of the world’s known reserves of bauxite, along with diamonds, gold, and other metals. The country also has great potential for hydroelectric power. While bauxite and aluminum are currently the only major exports, the Guinean government plans to encourage the mining of other resources. Other industries include processing plants for beer, juices, soft drinks and tobacco. Agriculture employs 80% of the nation’s labor force. The government encourages a free market economy and is determined to promote foreign investment. There is an ongoing privatization program, in line with the government’s poverty-focused model of development which reserves a key role for the private sector. Guinea's current growth levels, though encouraging, are considered by most observers to be still below potential, especially in view of the country's tremendous natural resource endowments. The national economy is still relatively undiversified and preponderantly reliant on bauxite and mining revenue. There is also considerable scope for improvement in revenue mobilization. Guinea's social indicators compare poorly with neighboring countries in sub-saharan Africa, although significant strides have recently been made in primary education and access to safe water.
History:
Guinea was once a part of the great Mali Empire. Guinea became a French colony in 1890 with much resistence and hostility from the people and with the French removing or destroying most of their equipment as they left. Guinea covers 94,000 square miles and is divided into four regions: the coast of lower Guinea; the central, mountainous Fouta Djalon; the savanna of upper Guinea; and the forest in the southeast. For thousands of years, Guinea was populated by various peoples. In the tenth century A.D., Soussou and Malinke groups began to move into the area. Upper Guinea was part of the Ghana Empire in the 10th and 11th centuries, the Mali Empire until the 14th century, and the Songhai Empire until the 19th century. The Fulani moved into Guinea in the 17th century, bringing Islam with them and pushing the Soussou to coastal areas. French rule began in the 19th century. After World War II, several labor parties were established, including the Parti Democratique de Guinee led by Ahmed Sekou Toure. In 1958, this party organized support to vote against Charles de Gaulle’s proposed French community and then declared independence, resulting in Guinea being cut off from France’s financial aid and other assistance programs. Guinea was also shunned by other Western nations and, in this relative isolation, developed a strong national identity. Sekou Toure governed a one-party state and progressively developed strong dictatorial tendencies. He survived several attempted coups and continued to rule Guinea until his death in 1984. Two weeks later, the military took control of the government and established the Second Guinean Republic under Lansana Conte. Presidential and parliamentary elections took place in late 1993 and Lansana Conte was declared president. He again won the presidential elections in 1998 and is currently serving his final term in office.
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