West Africa.

GMT.

245,857 sq km (94,926 sq miles).

8.8 million (UN estimate 2005).

38 per sq km.

Conakry. Population: 1.1 million (2002).

The Republic of Guinea is located in West Africa and bordered to the northwest by Guinea-Bissau, the north by Senegal and Mali, the east by Côte d’Ivoire, the south by Liberia and the southwest by Sierra Leone. Guinea’s many rivers supply water to much of West Africa. The River Niger flows north from the southern highlands into Mali before turning south again through Niger and Nigeria. The coastal plain is made up of mangrove swamps, while inland are the Fouta Djalon hills which form several distinct ranges and plateaux over the whole of western Guinea. In the northeast, savannah plains of the Sahel region stretch into Mali. To the south are mountains known as the Guinea Highlands.

Under the terms of the Constitution of 23 December 1991, the President of the Republic, who holds executive power, is elected for five years. Under amendments made in November 2001, the term has been increased to seven years. The 114-member unicameral National Assembly, which holds legislative power, serves a five-year term.

Republic since 1958. Gained independence from France in 1958. Head of State: President Lansana Conté since 1984. Head of Government: Cellou Dalein Diallo since December 2004. Recent history: A new constitution, known as the Third Republic, was accepted by national referendum in December 1990. The first Presidential elections under the new constitution were held in December 1993 and won by Conté. At the beginning of February 1996, Conté survived an attempted coup, after which he assumed personal control of the country's armed forces. He also appointed a Prime Minister, Laimine Sidimé, for the first time. (Sidimé was replaced by François Lonseny Fall in February 2004 who then fled the country and resigned in April of the same year. He is currently living in exile claiming his life would be in danger if he returned). The position has since been filled by Cellou Dalein Diallo in December 2004. Conté was elected for a third term as President in December 2003 (after first holding a referendum in 1002 that officially removed the two-term limit on presidency). In March 2006, President Conté was flown to Switzerland for medical treatment. Opposition parties called for the formation of an interim Government.

French is the official language. Susu, Malinké and Fula are local languages.

The majority of the population are Muslim, with animist and Christian minorities.

Although Muslim customs are less strict than in the Arab world, beliefs and traditions should be respected by tourists. Casual dress is acceptable. Street crime is relatively common. It is important to greet people and ask them how they are before starting a conversation. Guineans always use titles when addressing others, so the visitor should do likewise (Monsieur, Madame, Mademoiselle etc). Photography: A permit (applied for in advance) has to be obtained from the Ministère de l’Intérieur et de la Sécurité when photographing Government buildings, military and transportation facilities or public works. It is inadvisable to photograph buildings at present, and visitors should always ask local people if they want to photograph them.

220 volts, 50Hz.