Most of Guinea lies in the subequatorial belt. Average monthly air temperatures are from 18 ° to 27 ° C, the hottest month is April, the coldest month is August. Precipitation falls mainly in summer, but it is very unevenly distributed over the territory: on the coast for 170 rainy days a year, up to 4,300 mm of precipitation falls, and in the interior regions, separated from the ocean by a mountain range, no more than 1,500 mm.
Deep river valleys and hilly low-mountain ranges make Guinea look like a mountainous country. The largest uplands are the Futa-Djallon highlands (the highest mountain is Tamge, 1537 m), which borders a narrow coastal lowland, and the North Guinea Upland in the southeast of the country (with the highest mountain Nimba, 1752 m above sea level). The Fouta Djallon plateau is called by geographers the "water tower of West Africa" because the largest rivers of the region, the Gambia and Senegal, begin here. The Niger River (here called Djoliba) also originates in the North Guinean Upland. Guinea's many rivers are generally unnavigable due to numerous rapids and waterfalls, as well as sharp fluctuations in water levels.
The traveler is struck by the bright red or red-brown color of the soils of the savannas and forests of Guinea, rich in iron oxides. Despite the poverty of these soils, which makes farming difficult, the natural vegetation is very rich. Gallery rainforests are still preserved along the rivers, although in most other places they have been replaced by dry tropical forests and wooded savannas as a result of human activity. In the north of the country, you can see real tall grass savannas, and on the ocean coast - mangroves. The coconut palm, the Guinean oil palm, and other exotic plants are common along the ocean coast, making even the streets of large cities look like a botanical garden. The fauna of the country is still rich: elephants, hippos, various species of antelopes, panthers, cheetahs, numerous monkeys (especially baboons living in large herds) have survived. It is also worth mentioning forest cats, hyenas, mongoose, crocodiles, large and small snakes and lizards, hundreds of bird species. There are also numerous insects, among which there are many and dangerous, carrying the causative agents of yellow fever and sleeping sickness (tsetse fly).
Almost the entire population of Guinea belongs to the Negroid race. The most numerous people are the Fulbe, inhabiting mainly the Futa Djallon plateau. Other peoples belong to the Mande linguistic subgroup: Malinke, Korako, Susu. The official language, French, is spoken by only a small part of the population, and the most common languages are Ful, Malinke, Susu. 60% of the population are Muslims, about 2% are Christians, the rest adhere to traditional beliefs. The majority of the population is employed in agriculture (cattle breeding, as well as the cultivation of rice, cassava, sweet potatoes, corn). The capital and largest city of Guinea is Conakry (about 1 400 thousand inhabitants). Other large cities are mainly industrial centers and transport hubs Kankan, Candia, Labe, as a rule, not of interest to tourists.
History of Guinea
At the end of the nineteenth century. Guinea was colonized by France and from 1904 was part of the federation of French West Africa. In a referendum in 1958, the Guinean people voted for independence, which was proclaimed on October 2. A. Sekou Toure was elected President of the country, who established a one-party system in the country, supported by a powerful repressive apparatus. In the field of foreign policy, he adhered to a moderately pro-Soviet course, and in the field of domestic policy, he was an adherent of scientific socialism with African characteristics. The result of this strategy was the total socialization of property; at some stages, even the number of traders in bazaars was regulated by order. By the beginning of the 1980s, about a million of the country's inhabitants had migrated abroad.
After the death of Touré in 1984, a group of military seized power, creating the Military Committee for National Revival, headed by Colonel Lansana Conte, over the next three years Conte eliminated the main competitors in the struggle for power. Under Conte, foreign policy was oriented towards greater cooperation with France, the United States, Great Britain, the country began to enjoy the support of international financial organizations. A side effect of the weakening of political control was a powerful increase in corruption; during the reign of Conte, Guinea became one of the world leaders in this indicator. At the end of the 1980s, the process of democratization of political life began, and elections have been held regularly since the beginning of the next decade. Conte won the presidential elections three times (in 1993, 1998, 2003), in the parliamentary elections his Party of Unity and Progress, each round was accompanied by powerful opposition protests, to which local power ministries traditionally react very harshly. The continuing deterioration of the economic situation in the country led in 2007 to mass protests demanding the resignation of the government and the adoption of urgent measures to bring the country out of the crisis. As a result of negotiations between the authorities and the trade union movement, the post of prime minister was transferred to a compromise candidate with a mandate until the next elections, scheduled for mid-2008.
Geography of Guinea
More than half of the country's territory is occupied by low mountains and plateaus. The Atlantic coast is heavily indented by river estuaries and is occupied by an alluvial-marine lowland 30-50 km wide. Further, the Futa-Djallon plateau rises by ledges, dissected into separate massifs up to 1538 m high (Mount Tamge). Behind it, in the east of the country, there is an elevated accumulative-denudation stratal plain, to the south of which the North Guinean Upland rises, turning into basement plateaus (≈800 m) and blocky highlands (Mount Nimba is the highest point of the country with a height of 1752 m).
The most important minerals in Guinea are bauxite, the reserves of which the country ranks first in the world. Also mined are gold, diamonds, ores of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, zircon, rutile, monazite.
The climate is subequatorial with a pronounced alternation of dry and wet seasons. Wet summers last from 3-5 months in the northeast to 7-10 months in the south of the country. The air temperature on the coast (≈27 ° С) is higher than in the interior regions (≈24 ° С) of the country, except for periods of drought, when the Harmatan wind blowing from the Sahara raises the air temperature to 38 ° С.
The dense and abundant river network of Guinea is represented by rivers flowing from the plateau to the eastern plain and flowing there into the Niger, and rivers flowing from the same plateau directly into the Atlantic Ocean. Rivers are navigable only in small, mainly estuarine areas.
Forests occupy about 60% of the country's territory, but most of them are represented by secondary sparse deciduous trees. Indigenous wet evergreen forests have survived only on the windward slopes of the North Guinean Upland. Gallery forests are fragmentary along the river valleys. Mangroves grow in places along the coast. The once diverse forest fauna is preserved mainly in protected areas (hippos, genets, civets, forest dukers). Elephants, leopards and chimpanzees are almost completely exterminated.
Guinea Economy
Guinea has large mineral, hydropower and agricultural resources, but still remains an economically underdeveloped country.
Guinea has deposits of bauxite (almost half of the world's reserves), iron ore, diamonds, gold, and uranium.
More than 75% of workers are employed in agriculture. Rice, coffee, pineapple, tapioca, bananas are cultivated. Cattle, sheep, goats are raised.
Export goods - bauxite, aluminum, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish.
The main export partners (in 2006) are Russia (11%), Ukraine (9.6%), South Korea (8.8%).
Guinea Republic. State in West Africa. The capital is Conakry (1.77 million people - 2003). Territory- 245.9 thousand sq. km. Administrative divisions- 8 provinces. Population- 9.69 million people (2006, estimate). Official language- French. Religion- Islam, Christianity and traditional African beliefs. Currency unit- Guinean franc. National holiday- October 2, Independence Day (1958). Guinea has been a member of the UN since 1958, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1963, and since 2002, its successor, the African Union (AU). Member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since 1975, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) since 1969, the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF), the Union of the Mano River Basin States (SGM) since 1980.
A.A. Firsov Guinea Republic... M., "Knowledge", 1961
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Kalinina L.P. Guinea. Directory... M., "Science", 1994
Arulpragasam, J., and Sahn, D.E. Economic Transition in Guinea: Implications for Growth and Poverty. New York, New York University Press, 1997
The World of Learning 2003, 53 rd Edition... L.-N.Y., Europa Publications, 2002
Africa South of the Sahara... 2004. L.-N.Y., Europa Publications, 2003
African countries and Russia. Directory... Moscow, Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2004
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GUINEA, Guinea Republic. State in West Africa. The capital is Conakry (1.77 million people - 2003). Territory- 245.9 thousand sq. km. Administrative divisions- 8 provinces. Population- 9.69 million people (2006, estimate). Official language- French. Religion- Islam, Christianity and traditional African beliefs. Currency unit- Guinean franc. National holiday- October 2, Independence Day (1958). Guinea has been a member of the UN since 1958, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1963, and since 2002, its successor, the African Union (AU). Member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since 1975, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) since 1969, the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF), the Union of the Mano River Basin States (SGM) since 1980.
Geographical location and boundaries.
Continental state. It borders in the north-west with Guinea-Bissau, in the north with Senegal, in the north and north-east with Mali, in the east with Cote d'Ivoire, in the south with Liberia and Sierra Leone. waters of the Atlantic Ocean.The length of the coastline is 320 km.
Nature.
The territory of Guinea is divided into four physical and geographical regions. The first of them, located in the west of the country - Lower, or Primorskaya, Guinea - is a flat lowland up to 32 km wide, with heights of less than 150 m above sea level. The swampy strip of the coast is covered with mangroves, dense rocks come to the surface only in the area of Conakry. Lower Guinea is a region of commodity-export agriculture. Mainly representatives of the Susu people live here. The rivers Kogon, Fatala and Konkure, which cut through the lowlands, originate in the deep valleys of the second region - Central Guinea. Here, the Futa-Djallon sandstone massif with peaks of 1200–1400 m crosses the country from north to south. The highest point of the plateau, located north of Labe, is Mount Tamge (1538 m). Central Guinea is characterized by a predominance of savannah landscapes, in the highest places there are mountain meadows. The area is inhabited by the Fulbe people. The predominant occupation of the population is animal husbandry.
To the east of the Futa-Djallon massif, on the plains in the basin of the upper reaches of the Niger River, Upper Guinea is located. This is a savannah region inhabited mainly by Malinke farmers.
Forest Guinea, located in the southeast of the country, occupies part of the North Guinean Uplands with small massifs of remnant mountains. Here, near the border with Liberia, in the Nimba Mountains, is the highest point of Guinea (1752 m). In this area, savannahs make up the background, in some areas, especially along the river valleys, tropical forests have been preserved. In Forest Guinea, there are many small peoples who are engaged in agriculture.
The climate of Guinea is characterized by a clear contrast between the wet season, which lasts from May to October (and on the coast - longer than on the plains of the northeast) and the dry season, when a hot wind blows from the northeast - harmatan. With the exception of its northernmost part, the coastal lowlands are reliably protected by mountains from dry winds. Moist southwestern winds bring abundant rainfall that falls on the western slopes of the mountains. The Conakry area has an average annual rainfall of 4300 mm, of which 4000 mm occurs during the wet season. In the interior, an average of 1300 mm falls annually. High temperatures prevail throughout the year, rarely dropping below 15 ° C, and sometimes reaching 38 ° C.
The Futa-Jallon massif is characterized by the highest population density, where cattle, sheep and goats are grazed in the mountain meadows of Fulbe, and various agricultural crops are grown in the fertile valleys. The export value is the coffee, which is produced in Central and Upper Guinea, as well as bananas, which are grown in the coastal lowlands and in the valleys near the railway. In a number of coastal areas, mangroves have been cleared for rice paddies.
Minerals- diamonds, aluminum, bauxite, granite, graphite, iron, gold, limestone, cobalt, manganese, copper, nickel, pyrite, platinum, lead, titanium, chromium, zinc, etc.
Dense branched river network (Bafing, Kogon, Konkure, Tomine, Fatala, Forekarya, etc.). On the territory of Guinea, the Niger rivers (one of the largest in Africa) and the Gambia originate.
Population.
Malinke live in the interior regions of the country, mainly in the Niger basin, susu (presumably the most ancient inhabitants of the savannah) - on the coast, including the strip between Conakry and Kindia. The main occupation of the Mandean-speaking peoples, who make up about half of the country's population, is agriculture. The warlike Fulbe herders, who appeared in these places in the 16th century, inhabit mainly the central part of the country - the Futa-Jallon massif. A number of small ethnic groups are spread along the coast, on the western slopes of the Futa Djallon plateau and in Forest Guinea. The old enmity between the rural population, speaking the Mande languages, and the conquering herders of the Fulbe, which has now taken the form of a rivalry for political hegemony in the country, has not been eradicated.
Approximately 90% of Guineans are Muslim. Most of the rest are adherents of local traditional beliefs and cults. Although the first Christian missions were established in what is now Guinea in the 19th century, the number of Christians is small.
The average population density is 34 people. for 1 sq. km (2002). Its average annual growth is 2.63%. The birth rate is 41.76 per 1000 people, the mortality rate is 15.48 per 1000 people. Infant mortality is 90 per 1000 newborns. 44.4% of the population are children under 14 years of age. Residents who have reached the age of 65 - 3.2%. The average age of the population is 17.7 years. The fertility rate (average number of children born per woman) is 5.79. Life expectancy is 49.5 years (men - 48.34, women - 50.7). (All figures are given in 2006 estimates).
Guinea is a multi-ethnic state. The African population is over 97%, there are approx. 30 nationalities and ethnic groups. The largest of them are Fulbe (40%), Malinke (30%) and Susu (20%) - 2002. Their languages are the most common of the local languages. OK. 7% of the population are Baga, Basari, Dialonke, Kisi, Kpelle (or Gerze), Landum, Mikifore, Nalu, Tiapi, etc. Ok. 3% of the population are Europeans, Lebanese, Moors and Syrians.
The rural population is over 70% (2004). Large cities (in thousands of people, 2003) are Nzerekore (120.1), Kankan (112.2) and Kindia (106.3). Guinean labor migrants and refugees are in Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia and other countries in Africa and Europe, while refugees from Sierra Leone are in Guinea.
Religions.
According to estimates, 85% of the country's population are Muslims, 8% are Christians (the majority are Catholics), 7% of Guineans adhere to traditional African beliefs (animalism, fetishism, the cult of ancestors, the forces of nature, etc.) - 2003.
The first Muslims on the territory of modern Guinea appeared in the 12th century. The massive penetration of Islam began in the 15th and 16th centuries. AD from the territory of modern Mauritania and other countries of the Maghreb. Sunni Islam () of the Maliki direction is widespread. The Sufi orders (tarikats) of Tijaniyya, Qadiriyya, Barkhaya (or Barkiyya) and Shadiliya ( cm. SUFISM). Christianity began to spread in the beginning. 19th century The first Christian missionaries (mainly members of monastic Catholic orders from France) appeared in the country in the late 1990s. 19th century
PUBLIC STRUCTURE AND POLICY
State structure.
Guinea is a republic. The constitution is in force, adopted on December 23, 1991, as amended in November 2001. The head of state is the president, who, according to this amendment, is elected by universal secret ballot for a 7-year term. The President can be elected to this post more than once. Legislative power is exercised by a unicameral parliament (National Assembly), which consists of 114 deputies elected by universal suffrage for 5 years. 1/3 of the parliament is elected from single-member constituencies, and 2/3 - on the basis of proportional representation.
President - Lansana Conté. Elected December 21, 2003. Earlier in 1993 and 1998. President since April 5, 1984.
State flag... Rectangular cloth, consisting of three vertical stripes of the same size - red (at the shaft), yellow and green.
Administrative device.
The country is divided into 8 provinces, which consist of 34 prefectures.
The judicial system.
Based on the French civil law system. The Supreme Judicial Council, the Supreme Court, the High Court, the State Security Court and magistrates' courts operate.
Armed Forces and Defense.
The national armed forces were created on the basis of units that were part of the colonial army. In the beginning. 2005 their number (ground forces, air force and navy) amounted to 20 thousand people. Military service (2 years) is compulsory. In November 2005, mass dismissals (about 2 thousand people) were carried out from the army of officers, incl. and generals. Defense spending in 2005 amounted to US $ 119.7 million (2.9% of GDP).
Foreign policy.
It is based on the policy of non-alignment. Guinea maintains good-neighborly relations with Senegal and Guinea-Bissau, including within the framework of the Organization for the Efficient Use of the Resources of the Gambia. Takes part in solving regional problems in Africa, incl. conflict resolution in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Guinea were established on October 4, 1958. The Soviet Union provided assistance to Guinea in the construction of industrial facilities, the creation of research centers and the training of national personnel. In December 1991, the Russian Federation was recognized as the legal successor of the USSR. In 1990 - early. In the 2000s, intergovernmental contacts continued to develop (including in 2001, President Conte paid an official visit to Moscow), as well as relations in the field of military-technical cooperation, economics and training of national personnel for Guinea. Some Russian firms are actively working on the Guinean market (in May 2006, Russian Aluminum bought the Frigia bauxite mining complex, located 150 km from the capital).
Political organizations.
A multi-party system has developed in the country. The most influential of the political parties:
– « Party of Unity and Progress», PEP(Parti de l "unité et du progrès, PUP), leader - Lansana Conté, acting general seku - Sekou Konaté. The ruling party, founded in 1992;
– « Union for progress and renewal», SPO(Union pour le progrès et le renouveau, UPR), chaired by Ousmane Bah. The party was created in September 1998 as a result of the merger of the Party of Renovation and Progress and the Union for a New Republic;
– « Unification of the Guinean people», OGN(Rassemblement populaire guinéen, RPG), led by Alpha Condé and Ahmed Tidiane Cissé. Party of the main. in 1992.
Trade union associations.
National Confederation of Workers of Guinea, CNTG (Confédération nationale des travailleurs de Guinée, CNTG). Established in 1984. The General Secretary is Mohamed Samba Kébé.
ECONOMY
Guinea belongs to the group of the poorest countries in the world. The basis of the economy is the agricultural sector. OK. 40% of the population lives below the poverty line (2003).
Labor resources.
In 2001, the economically active population of the country amounted to 4.1 million people, of which 3.43 million people were employed in agriculture.
Agriculture.
The share of the agricultural sector in GDP is 23.7% (2005). 4.47% of the land is cultivated (2005). The main cash crops are pineapples, peanuts, bananas, coffee, oilseeds and citrus fruits. Also grown are sweet potatoes, legumes, corn, mangoes, cassava, vegetables, rice, sugarcane, phonio (millet) and yams. Livestock raising (breeding of goats, cattle, horses, sheep, donkeys and pigs) and poultry farming are developing. Agriculture is conducted using backward methods with poor technical equipment. It does not fully provide the population with food. In forestry, timber is harvested (including valuable varieties) and sawn timber is produced. The export of untreated timber is prohibited. Fishing is carried out in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and rivers. The catch of fish (mullet, mackerel, stingray, sardinella, etc.) and seafood in 2000 amounted to 91.5 thousand tons.
Industry.
Its share in GDP is 36.2% (2005). The main and most dynamically developing industry is the mining industry, which provides up to 80% of foreign exchange earnings. Industrial production of bauxite (30% of the world's proven reserves), aluminum ore (average annual production of 2.2 million tons), gold, diamonds, iron and granite is carried out. The processing industry is poorly developed, there are factories and plants for the processing of fish, the production of flour, palm oil, etc.
International trade.
The volume of imports exceeds the volume of exports: in 2005 imports (in US dollars) amounted to 680 million, exports - 612.1 million. The main imports are petroleum products, metal, machinery, vehicles, textiles, grain and foodstuffs. The main import partners are Cote d'Ivoire (15.1%), France (8.7%), Belgium and China (5.9% each) and South Africa (4.6%) - 2004. The main export goods are aluminum, bauxite (Guinea is one of the world's largest exporters), gold, diamonds, coffee, fish.The main export partners are France (17.7%), Belgium and Great Britain (14.7% each), Switzerland (12 , 8%) and Ukraine (4.2%) - 2004.
Energy.
The country's energy system is underdeveloped, and the demand for electricity significantly outstrips supply. Guinea has significant hydropower potential. Electricity production in 2003 amounted to 775 million kilowatt-hours.
Transport.
The transport infrastructure is poorly developed. Roads are complicated by frequent tropical rainstorms. The first railway was built in 1910. The total length of the railways is 837 km (2004). The total length of highways is 44.3 thousand km (hard surface is 4.3 thousand km) - 2003. The merchant fleet consists of 35 ships (2002). The seaports of Kamsar and Conakry are of international importance. The length of the river waterways is 1300 km. There are 16 airports and airstrips (5 of them have a hard surface) - 2005. Gbessia International Airport is located in Conakry.
Finance and credit.
The monetary unit is the Guinean franc (GNF), consisting of 100 centimes. The national currency was put into circulation on March 1, 1960. In December 2005, the national currency rate was: 1 USD = 2.550 GNF.
Tourism.
Foreign tourists are attracted by the beauty of natural landscapes, historical and architectural monuments, and the original culture of local peoples. In 2000, 32.6 thousand foreign tourists from France (more than 7 thousand), Senegal, Belgium and others visited Guinea.Income from tourism in 2002 amounted to 12 million US dollars (in 1998 - 1 million US dollars) ...
Attractions - the National Museum in the capital, mosques in the cities of Kankan and Farana, the picturesque Bafara waterfall, etc. Many Russian travel agencies provide an opportunity to visit Guinea.
SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Education.
In the pre-colonial period, an extensive network of Muslim (Koranic) schools existed in the country. Already at the end. 17th century centers of Muslim education were formed in the cities of Kankan and Tubu. The first schools of the European type were opened at the end. 19th century on Christian missions.
A 6-year education is compulsory, which children begin at the age of seven. Secondary education (7 years) begins at the age of 13 and takes place in two stages (the first is a four-year college education, the second is a three-year high school education). According to the 2003 UNESCO World Human Development Report, Guinea ranks among the countries with the lowest rates of girls' access to primary and secondary education.
The higher education system includes two universities (in the cities of Conakry and Cancan) and institutes located in the cities of Boke and Farana. In 2002 at the University of Conakry (founded in 1962) 824 teachers worked at four faculties and trained 5 thousand students, at the University in Cancan (created in 1963, received the status of the university in 1987) - respectively 72 teachers and more than one thousand students ... Several research centers operate, incl. The Guinean Pasteur Institute and the National Institute for Scientific Research and Documentation. In the beginning. 2000s were literate approx. 35.9% of the population (49.9% of men and 21.9% of women).
Healthcare.
Architecture.
The main type of traditional dwelling is a round (6–10 m in diameter) hut under a thatched cone-shaped roof. In different parts of the country, these huts differ in the material that is used in the construction of their walls: the so-called. "Banko" (a building material made from a mixture of clay and straw), a wicker covered with clay, stakes driven into the ground or bamboo mats suspended from a wooden frame. The houses of city dwellers are mostly rectangular buildings with a flat roof and a kind of terrace. A special type of architecture is the construction of mosques. Business districts of modern cities are built up with multi-storey buildings made of bricks, reinforced concrete structures and glass. Soviet specialists took part in the design and construction of some administrative and cultural facilities (radio center, USSR embassy in Konakry, Rogbane research center, etc.).
Fine arts and crafts.
The surviving objects of fine art (helmet-shaped nimbus masks, polychrome gang masks, round sculptures of the Baga and Darken peoples, etc.) of the peoples inhabiting the territory of modern Guinea date back to the 14-15th centuries. Objects of ancient art of Guinea are presented in exhibitions and private collections of many museums around the world, incl. The Hermitage and the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) in St. Petersburg.
The professional visual arts began to develop after independence. Artists: D. Kadiato, M. Conde, M. B. Cossa, Matinez Sirena, K. Nanuman, M. K. Fallot, M. Fills. Many of the national artists were educated in the USSR.
Crafts and arts and crafts are well developed - wood and ivory carving, metal processing (casting and chasing), pottery, making popular prints, leather processing, weaving, jewelry (including filigree work on gold and silver), and also weaving (making multi-colored baskets, fans, mats, etc.).
Literature.
Based on the traditions of oral creativity (myths, songs, proverbs and fairy tales) of local peoples. Griots (a caste of wandering actors, storytellers, musicians and singers in West Africa) play an important role in preserving the folklore tradition. In the pre-colonial period, only the Fulbe people had written literary monuments in the local language (large poems called "qasids").
Modern literature is developing in French. The writer Kamara Lei is considered one of the founders of national literature. Other writers are William Sasein, Tierno Monembo, A. Fanture, Emile Siset. Many of the works of Guinean writers have been published in France. Famous Guinean poets are Lunsaini Kaba, Nene Khali and Rai Otra.
Music and theater.
The national musical culture is notable for its diversity, formed as a result of the interaction of the traditions of numerous local peoples. Professional musical art (the creation of palace orchestras at the courts of African rulers) developed during the Middle Ages. The musical culture of Guinea was greatly influenced by Arab music.
Playing musical instruments, songs and dances are an inseparable part of the national culture. The rich musical traditions in Guinea have survived and continue to develop today. The musical art of the griots has survived, and they accompany themselves mainly on the bark (string instrument). Musical instruments are diverse: drums (from small tamaru to giant dun-dun - bothe, droma, dundumba, tamani, etc.), balafons, castanets, rattles (lala, sistr wasama), dudaru horn, rattles, flutes (serdu, hula ). There are many stringed instruments: harps (baleil, haububataken), sick (musical bow), keperu (violin), kerona, keronara (guitar), kondival, horses, bark, molar. Orchestral performance of music is popular. The first national orchestra was founded in 1959.
Solo and choral singing is widespread. Epic legends and great songs are popular. Famous singers and musicians - Ahmed Traore, M. Vandel, M. Kuyate, Mamamu Kamara, Sori Kandia Kuyayite. In 2004, the Guinean virtuoso of playing the core Ba Sissoko (his compositions are a symbiosis of traditional African motives and modern rhythms) became one of the finalists of the international competition called "Music of the World" (since 1981 with the aim of promoting the development of national music in Africa, the Caribbean and the Indian Ocean zone is hosted by Radio France International).
Elements of the theater were present in numerous ceremonies and rituals that were performed on various holidays. In 1948, an ensemble of African music and dance called "Balle Afriken" was created; after the proclamation of independence, he repeatedly performed on tour in Asia, America and Europe (in 1961 - in the USSR). The professional ballet ensemble Djoliba performed in the Soviet Union in 1966 and 1971. The formation of the national theatrical art was greatly influenced by the French school of William Ponti in Dakar (Senegal), in which many Guinean actors, playwrights and directors were trained in the 1930s. One of the first Guinean playwrights was Emil Cisse.
Cinema.
Documentary production began in the first half of the 1960s. Some of the first documentaries - A revolution in action(1966, directed by A. Aksana), Eight and twenty(1967, directed by D. Costa), And freedom came(1969, directed by Sekou Umar Barri). The first feature films, Black skin(1967) and Yesterday Today Tomorrow(1968), were filmed by director D. Costa. The first full-length feature film was Sergeant Bakary Woolen(1968, directed by Mohammed Lamin Akin). Other filmmakers - Alfa Bald, A. Dabo, K. Diana, M. Tour. The USSR provided active assistance in the training of national cadres. Since 1968, Guinean filmmakers have actively participated in international film festivals in Asia and Africa, which were held in Tashkent. The Guinean Cinema Weeks were held in Moscow in 1970 and 1973. Until 1992, Soviet Cinema Weeks were regularly held in Guinea, and later there were screenings of the works of Russian filmmakers.
Press, radio broadcasting, television and the Internet.
Published in French:
- the daily government newspaper "Horoya" (Horoya, translated from the Susu language - "Dignity");
- the government gazette, Journal officiel de Guinée, is published twice a month;
- the monthly magazine Fonikee.
The Guinean Press Agency, AGP (Agence guinéenne de presse, AGP), has been operating since 1960 and is located in Conakry. The government's "Radio and Television Service of Guinea" (Radiodiffusion-télévision guinéenne, RTG) is also located in the capital. National television has been in operation since May 1977. Radio and television broadcasts are broadcast in French, English, Arabic and Portuguese, as well as in some local languages. In 2005, there were 46,000 Internet users in Guinea.
HISTORY
In the 10-11 centuries. most of the northeast of present-day Guinea was part of the state of Ghana. In the mines near Sigiri, part of the gold of Ghana was probably mined, which in the cities of the Sahel was exchanged for salt and other goods from North Africa. In the 12th century. the empire of Ghana collapsed, and in the 13th century. in its place arose the empire of Mali, created by the people of Malinke. Islam spread widely among the nobility and townspeople. Until the beginning of the 16th century. Mali remained a powerful force in the region. Later, a significant part of the territory of Mali was captured by the Songhai Empire of Gao in the east and the Fulbe state of Tekrur in the west. In the middle of the 17th century. Bambara of Segu overthrew the Malinka Emperor.
By that time, the center of trade had moved to the coast, where there was intense competition between Portuguese, English and French slave traders. However, the slave trade was less common on this part of the West African coast than on the coasts of Nigeria, Dahomey and Senegal. After the official ban on the slave trade at the beginning of the 19th century. the coastal regions of present-day Guinea continued to attract traffickers in human goods, as the heavily indented coastline provided safe hiding places for slave ships hunted by British warships. In the middle of the 19th century. the slave trade was replaced by trade in peanuts, palm oil, hides and rubber. European merchants settled in several trading posts and paid tribute to the leaders of local tribes. Attempts by the leaders to increase the size of the tribute ended with France in 1849 establishing her protectorate over the Boke region.
At the beginning of the 18th century. on the territory of the Futa-Djallon plateau, a powerful state of Fulbe arose. Islam became his state religion, which then spread to the inhabitants of the coastal regions, many of whom paid tribute to the Fulba leaders. Further development of European trade and the creation of new strongholds on the coast in the middle of the 19th century. led to friction between the French and the leaders of the Fulbe, who in 1861 were persuaded to recognize the French protectorate over Boke. A few years earlier, Haj Omar, a militant religious reformer from eastern Senegal, had settled in Fouta Jallon. By 1848, his popularity among the local population had grown so much that it began to cause concern among the Fulbe leaders. Hajj Omar was forced to move to Dingirai, where he declared jihad (holy war) on the territory of Western Sudan, primarily the kingdoms of Segu and Masina. In 1864, in a battle with the soldiers of Masina, Haj Omar died, and his son Ahmadu took his place. In 1881, he entered into a treaty with the French, according to which the territory on the left bank of the Niger up to Timbuktu passed under the protectorate of France. Later, Ahmadu tried to abandon this treaty, but in 1891-1893 he was removed from power by the French.
The longest and most decisive resistance to the French colonialists came from Samori Touré. Malinke by ethnicity, in 1879 he captured Kankan and created a Muslim state to the southeast of Sigiri. In 1887 and 1890, the French signed treaties of friendship with Samori, but then denounced them, and hostilities resumed. In 1898, the French captured Samori Touré near Man in the west of modern Côte d'Ivoire and sent him into exile, where he died. First World War.
In 1895, Guinea was incorporated into French West Africa, and in 1904, after the British transferred Los Islands to the French, the boundaries of the colony were established. During French colonial rule, the Guineans were deprived of basic political rights, paid a poll tax, and were mobilized for unpaid forced labor and military service.
In 1946, France decided to create an elective territorial assembly in Guinea and gradually relaxed the property and educational qualifications for voting. In 1957, the entire adult population of the colony could participate in the elections, the Government Council was created - a territorial body of executive power, consisting of Guineans.
The influence of the Democratic Party of Guinea (DPG), a massive political organization led by trade unionist Sekou Touré, grew rapidly. Thanks to the propaganda work of party activists in 1958, almost the entire population of Guinea spoke out in a referendum against the new French constitution and in favor of the country's withdrawal from the French Community. As a result, Guinea gained independence on October 2, 1958.
The choice of the Guineans in favor of independence resulted in the loss of French economic aid and investment, a guaranteed market for export products and technical assistance from qualified specialists. The urgent need for economic and technical assistance forced the new government to turn to the USSR and China for help, which led to further isolation of Guinea from France and its allies. In 1965, Guinea severed diplomatic relations with France, accusing it of participating in a conspiracy to overthrow the Guinean government. By the end of the 1960s, Guinea had established relations with a number of Western states, which was largely due to the country's leadership's interest in foreign investment. However, the nationalization of trade and the agricultural sector turned into stagnation in all sectors of the Guinean economy, except mining. Although Sekou Toure himself retained his authority among the population, the government course became less and less popular, and many thousands of Guineans emigrated.
In November 1970, Guinean emigrants, who were in opposition to the Sekou Touré regime, took part in an armed invasion of Guinea, which was organized with the support of Portugal. This action pursued two main goals: the overthrow of the government of Sekou Toure and the defeat of the bases of the partisans who fought for the liberation of Portuguese Guinea (now Guinea-Bissau). The rebels were quickly defeated. After a failed attempt at aggression, massive purges were carried out in the state apparatus and the armed forces of Guinea. In August 1977, a wave of riots swept through the cities, during which several provincial governors appointed by the DPG were killed. After these events, the policy of the Guinean leadership changed dramatically. In the late 1970s, political repression eased, the masses were able to participate in public life, and private trade was allowed. Guinea's relations with neighboring African states and Western countries have improved. In 1976 diplomatic relations with France were restored.
Sekou Toure died on March 26, 1984, and already on April 3, 1984, a group of military personnel led by Colonel Lansana Conte carried out a bloodless coup. The military authorities disbanded the DPG and released all political prisoners. The economic reforms of the Conte regime did not bring positive results. In 1991, a new constitution was adopted, providing for the creation of a transitional government and then a multi-party republic. As a first step towards civilian rule, the activities of political parties were legalized. In 1993, the country's first-ever multiparty elections, Conte was elected president. Parliamentary elections in 1995, accompanied by numerous clashes and acts of violence, were won by the Party of Unity and Progress, led by Conte.
In 1996, Conte appointed a new cabinet and introduced the post of prime minister, appointed by the president. Conte tasked the government with the task of more vigorously pursuing an economic reform program that would cut government spending, fight corruption and improve the efficiency of the tax system.
In the presidential elections held on December 14, 1998, Conte again won (56.1% of the vote). The elections were attended by 71.4% of voters. According to the results of a national referendum (November 2001), the term of office of the President of the country, starting from the 2003 elections, was extended to 7 years. In the parliamentary elections (June 30, 2002), the presidential "Party of Unity and Progress" (PEP) won a landslide victory (85 out of 114 seats in the National Assembly). The Union for Progress and Renewal (Union for Progress and Renewal) Party won 20 seats.
Guinea in the 21st century
The opposition boycotted the presidential elections, which took place on December 21, 2003, and as a result, Conte was re-elected for a third term (95.63% of the vote). 86.1% of voters participated in the elections.
In 2004, mass demonstrations took place in large cities of the country, caused by a sharp rise in prices for rice, the main food product. The opposition accused the government of creating the worst economic situation in the country over the past five years. In January 2005, an attempted coup d'etat was averted, and more than 100 people were arrested on charges of conspiracy.
The GDP is 18.99 billion US dollars, its growth is 2%. Inflation rate - 25%, investment - 17.3% of GDP (data for 2005, estimate). The main financial donors are France, the World Bank and the European Union. In the beginning. In the 2000s, Japan provided significant financial assistance for the development of the agricultural sector of the Guinean economy.
In July 2005, the government implemented a series of political reforms: guaranteed freedom of association for opposition parties, revised voter lists and established an independent electoral commission. In the municipal elections held in December 2005, the ruling PEP won a landslide victory (with the majority of votes in 31 out of 38 cities in the country). The latest changes in the government were implemented on April 4, 2006. In March 2006, the state of health of President Conte, suffering from leukemia and diabetes mellitus, deteriorated sharply. Conte passed away on December 22, 2008. He ruled the country for 24 years, and two days after his death, a group of army conspirators, proclaiming themselves the new government, completely captured the capital of the country. Due to the political crisis in the country, protest demonstrations began. All the laws in force were canceled, the leader of the military junta Musa Dadis Kamara promised to hold elections in 2010. His intention to run for them caused massive protests in the country. The military junta - the National Council for Democracy and Development (CNDD) - refuses to conduct peace negotiations with the opposition, demonstrations and demonstrations are dispersed with the use of military force - in September 2009 alone, more than 150 people were killed, many were injured and arrested.
Lyubov Prokopenko
Literature:
A.A. Firsov Guinea Republic... M., "Knowledge", 1961
Recent history of Africa... M., "Science", 1968
Guinea. Directory... M., "Science", 1980
Mirimanov V.B. Tropical African Art... M., "Art", 1986
Kalinina L.P. Guinea. Directory... M., "Science", 1994
Arulpragasam, J., and Sahn, D.E. Economic Transition in Guinea: Implications for Growth and Poverty. New York, New York University Press, 1997
The World of Learning 2003, 53 rd Edition... L.-N.Y., Europa Publications, 2002
Africa South of the Sahara... 2004. L.-N.Y., Europa Publications, 2003
African countries and Russia. Directory... Moscow, Institute for African Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences, 2004
A small state in West Africa, with access to the Atlantic Ocean in the west of the country. The coastline is about 320 kilometers long. Borders: in the east - Cote d'Ivoire, in the south - Liberia and Sierra Leone, in the north - Guinea Besau, Senegal and Mali. The main rivers of the country are Gambia, Bafing and Niger. The total area of the state is about 246 thousand square kilometers.
The population is about 10.2 million people (as of July 2008). By ethnic composition: Fulbe - about 40%, Malinka - 30%, Susu - 15% and other nationalities. Major cities are the capital of Conakry (about 1,600,000 people), Nzerekore, Kankan and Kindia. The state language is French. Eight tribal languages are also declared national: fullda, malinke, susu, kisi, scrap, kpele, baga, kona. Religion - Muslims - 75%, Christians - about 1.5%, the rest - adherents of local beliefs (pagans). The national currency is the Guinean franc. The state structure is a presidential republic. The head of state is the president, who is also the head of government. Elected for 5 years. The next elections are to be held in 2008. The legislature is the National Assembly. Administratively, the country is divided into 7 provinces and 33 prefectures. The capital of the state is equated to the province.
The colonization of the country began at the end of the 19th century. The first to set foot on the earth were settlers from France - from 1891 it was a colony of France, and from 1904 it was part of the Federation of French West Africa. As a result of a referendum in 1958, the state gained independence. A. Sekou Touré was elected president of the country, pursuing a very tough policy of total socialization of property, and after his death in 1984, as a result of a military coup, Lansan Conte came to power, who began to cooperate more with developed European countries.
Since the beginning of the 90s, elections have been regularly held in the country, in which the same Conte won three times. The opposition and protests of the opposition were brutally suppressed. The economic situation in the country worsened, which led to mass demonstrations of the population in 2007 demanding the resignation of the government. Currently, the post of Prime Minister has been transferred to Ahmed Tidiane Soare pending elections to be held in 2008.
The State of Guinea has been a member of the UN since 1958. He is also a member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1963, and since 2002, its successor - the African Union (AU). In addition, the country is a member of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the International Organization of the Francophonie (OIF), the Union of the Mano River Basin States (SGM).
Economically, the country is ahead of many neighbors, as it is rich in minerals. Guinea ranks first in the world in bauxite reserves. In addition, gold, diamonds, ferrous and non-ferrous metal ores, and zircon are mined. But, despite the fact that the country has large mineral and hydropower resources, in its total mass, Guinea is an economically underdeveloped country. Agriculture employs almost 75 percent of the population. Main crops: rice, coffee, pineapple, tapioca, bananas. Cattle breeding is developed. For export, Guinea supplies: bauxite, aluminum, gold, diamonds, bananas, coffee and fish.
The country's climate is equatorial monsoon. Summers are humid, winters are dry. The hottest month is April (+30 C), the coldest is August (+26 C). Precipitation falls mainly in summer; it is unevenly distributed throughout the country: on the coast for 170 rainy days a year, it falls up to 4300 mm, and in the interior regions of the country no more than 1500 mm. In January-February, "harmattan" blows from the Sahara Desert.
About 60 percent of the country's territory is occupied by forests, but most of them are secondary sparse deciduous trees. Wet evergreen forests have been little preserved. You can meet them only on the windward slopes of the North Guinean Upland. Gallery forests are found along the river valleys. Mangroves grow here and there. The fauna of the forests, previously very diverse, is now preserved only in protected areas. Here you can find hippos, genets, civets and wood dukers. Man has almost completely exterminated elephants, leopards and chimpanzees.
Guinea has a lot to see. The National Museum of the capital has a large collection of masks, sculptures and national instruments. The style of the building is designed to imitate the Parisian Louvre. You should also pay attention to the People's Palace in the northern part of the Roux du Niger. Traditionally, performances of ballet theaters and all the numerous festive ceremonies take place here.
Futa Jallon Plateau, Bafara Falls and Fuyama Rapids are for ecotourism lovers. Kankan is the spiritual and political center of the Malinke people. The city is replete with historical sites, but a tourist will need the services of a guide. Separately, it is worth noting the Great Mosque, as well as the presidential palace on the banks of the Milo River, sculptural workshops and two beautiful markets - open and closed.
| Area, sq. km | 245857 |
| Flag |  |
| Population, people | 11176026 (2013) |
| Capital | Conakry |
| Big cities | Conakry, Nzerekore, Kindia |
| Independence date | October 2, 1958 |
| Highest point | Nimba (1752 m) |
| Official language | French |
| Religion | Islam (Sunnis) |
| Currency unit | guinean franc |
| Political system | presidential republic |
| Telephone code | +224 |
| Domain zone | .gn |
Guinea is an African state located in the west of the continent. Neighboring states: Cote d'Ivoire, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Senegal, Mali.
In the 19th century, Guinea was under the influence of France, which controlled almost the entire territory of West Africa. A protectorate was established, banana and coffee plantations were planted. However, the French faced the strongest opposition. The national liberation movement flared up led by Sekou Turve. "Better poverty in freedom than wealth in slavery," said A. Sekou Touré, who became the first president of independent Guinea in 1958. The population of Guinea fought for complete liberation from the French, being ardent supporters of the theory of pan-Africanism. As a result, on October 2, 1958, Guinea gained its long-awaited independence. The official language is French.
Ethnic groups live in Guinea, speakers of the language groups Mande and Fulbe. They have little in common, but ethnographically, they open up a wide field for research. The Mande peoples are farmers, the Fulbe are cattle breeders. The largest ethnic group is the Fula, who live in the arid central plateau. Malinke live in the savannah of Upper Guinea, while susu live in swampy coastal areas. In the southeast of Guinea, there are wooded mountains.
The majority of Guineans are Muslims, a small number of the population adhere to traditional beliefs and rituals.
Guinea's financial situation remains difficult, despite the country's vast reserves of bauxite and diamonds. There are many natural resources in Guinea. The mining industry is very developed. Bauxite, diamonds, gold, black and non-ferrous ores are mined here. Thanks to the vast water reserves, the hydropower industry is also developed. The economy is agricultural in nature, since agriculture remains the main activity. Moreover, the economy is often focused not on a commodity, but on a subsistence economy. Over 70% of the population is employed in the rural economy. They grow bananas, corn, cassava, rice, cocoa. More than half of the territory of the state is occupied by forests.
Guinea has a military form of government. The economy is controlled by the government. The head of state and government is the president.
The nature of this region is very picturesque thanks to the contrasts. Either vast arid lands spread out in front of you, then impenetrable evergreen jungles. The Futa - Jallon hills (more than 1500 m) attract the attention of tourists. The Bafara waterfall further adorns this plateau, perfect in a natural sense. Ile de Los - a group of islands in the Atlantic, not far from the mainland, designed for sophisticated tourists. All conditions are created here for a great vacation, including cruises. The richness of biological species adorns the already outlandish picture of the unique African landscape.
The friendly, hospitable people and the pleasant climate will complement Guinea's virtues.
History of Guinea
- XV century: the territory of Guinea was part of the early state formations of Ghana and Mali.
- XVIII century: in the center of the countries, a military-theocratic state of cattle-breeding tribes Fulbe Futa Jallon was formed.
- Second half of the 19th century: France invaded the country. Europeans carried on a predatory slave trade, especially in coastal areas.
- 1889-1893: Guinea is declared a French colony, in 1895 it is separated into a separate colony called French Guinea.
- 1958: Guinea gains independence. President Sekou Toure established an authoritarian regime.
- 1979-1984: The country was called the Revolutionary People's Republic of Guinea.
- 1984: After the death of C. Touré, the military came to power.
- 1990: The new Constitution ends the military regime. Establishment of a multiparty system.
The territory of modern Guinea has been inhabited since prehistoric times. In the Middle Ages, the territory of modern Guinea was part of various African states. Then Europeans began to arrive here, and by the 17th century they were already selling Guineans into slavery on American plantations. From 1891 to 1958 Guinea was a French colony. The Sekou Toure government was unable to raise the standard of living of the population, and after his death, in 1984, power passed to the military government, headed by Colonel Lansana Conte. The first multiparty elections in Guinea in 1993 were again won by the Conte government.
Interesting facts about Guinea:
- In Guinea, huge reserves of fresh water are concentrated in West Africa in the form of the Niger River.
- Guinea is the world's largest supplier of bauxite.
- Sekou Toure is the man who ruled Guinea from 1958 to 1984.
