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Africa :: Guinea

- ## Introduction :: GUINEA

- Background:
  Guinea is at a turning point after decades of authoritarian rule since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Guinea held its first free and competitive democratic presidential and legislative elections in 2010 and 2013 respectively. Alpha CONDE was elected to a five-year term as president in 2010, and the National Assembly was seated in January 2014. CONDE's cabinet is the first all-civilian government in Guinea. Previously, Sekou TOURE ruled the country as president from independence to his death in 1984. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984 when the military seized the government after TOURE's death. Gen. CONTE organized and won presidential elections in 1993, 1998, and 2003, though all the polls were rigged. Upon CONTE's death in December 2008, Capt. Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seizing power and suspending the constitution. His unwillingness to yield to domestic and international pressure to step down led to heightened political tensions that culminated in September 2009 when presidential guards opened fire on an opposition rally killing more than 150 people, and in early December 2009 when CAMARA was wounded in an assassination attempt and exiled to Burkina Faso. A transitional government led by Gen. Sekouba KONATE paved the way for Guinea's transition to a fledgling democracy.

- ## Geography :: GUINEA

- Location:
  Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
  Geographic coordinates:
  11 00 N, 10 00 W
  Map references:
  Africa
  Area:
  total: 245,857 sq km
  land: 245,717 sq km
  water: 140 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Area - comparative:
  slightly smaller than Oregon
  Land boundaries:
  total: 4,046 km
  border countries (6): Cote d'Ivoire 816 km, Guinea-Bissau 421 km, Liberia 590 km, Mali 1,062 km, Senegal 363 km, Sierra Leone 794 km
  Coastline:
  320 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 12 nm
  exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
  Climate:
  generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
  Terrain:
  generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
  Natural resources:
  bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 58.1%
  arable land 11.8%; permanent crops 2.8%; permanent pasture 43.5%
  forest: 26.5%
  other: 15.4% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  949.2 sq km (2003)
  Total renewable water resources:
  226 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.55 cu km/yr (39%/10%/51%)
  per capita: 64.3 cu m/yr (2005)
  Natural hazards:
  hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
  Environment - current issues:
  deforestation; inadequate potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage
  Environment - international agreements:
  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
  Geography - note:
  the Niger and its important tributary the Milo River have their sources in the Guinean highlands

- ## People and Society :: GUINEA

- Nationality:
  noun: Guinean(s)
  adjective: Guinean
  Ethnic groups:
  Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%
  Languages:
  French (official)
  note: each ethnic group has its own language
  Religions:
  Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
  Population:
  11,780,162 (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 76
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 41.87% (male 2,491,593/female 2,440,933)
  15-24 years: 19.6% (male 1,165,462/female 1,143,022)
  25-54 years: 30.46% (male 1,799,050/female 1,789,062)
  55-64 years: 4.45% (male 250,531/female 273,756)
  65 years and over: 3.62% (male 188,469/female 238,284) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 83.8%
  youth dependency ratio: 78.2%
  elderly dependency ratio: 5.6%
  potential support ratio: 17.8% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 18.8 years
  male: 18.5 years
  female: 19 years (2015 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  2.63% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 18
  Birth rate:
  35.74 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 21
  Death rate:
  9.46 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 55
  Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 95
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 37.2% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 3.82% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  CONAKRY (capital) 1.936 million (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.92 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female
  total population: 1 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 53.43 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 56.26 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 50.52 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 30
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 60.08 years
  male: 58.55 years
  female: 61.66 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 198
  Total fertility rate:
  4.88 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 18
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  5.6% (2012)
  Health expenditures:
  4.7% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Physicians density:
  0.1 physicians/1,000 population (2005)
  Hospital bed density:
  0.3 beds/1,000 population (2011)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 92.7% of population
  rural: 67.4% of population
  total: 76.8% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 7.3% of population
  rural: 32.6% of population
  total: 23.2% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 34.1% of population
  rural: 11.8% of population
  total: 20.1% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 65.9% of population
  rural: 88.2% of population
  total: 79.9% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  1.55% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 33
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  118,000 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 40
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  3,800 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 39
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: very high
  food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
  vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
  water contact disease: schistosomiasis
  aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever
  animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  5.9% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 165
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  18.7% (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 33
  Education expenditures:
  2.5% of GDP (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 156
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 30.4%
  male: 38.1%
  female: 22.8% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 9 years
  male: 10 years
  female: 7 years (2011)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 571,774
  percentage: 25% (2003 est.)

- ## Government :: GUINEA

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Guinea
  conventional short form: Guinea
  local long form: Republique de Guinee
  local short form: Guinee
  former: French Guinea
  Government type:
  republic
  Capital:
  name: Conakry
  geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 13 42 W
  time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  7 regions administrative and 1 gouvenorat*; Boke, Conakry*, Faranah, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou, N'Zerekore
  Independence:
  2 October 1958 (from France)
  National holiday:
  Independence Day, 2 October (1958)
  Constitution:
  previous 1958, 1990; latest promulgated 19 April 2010, approved 7 May 2010 (2010)
  Legal system:
  civil law system based on the French model
  International law organization participation:
  accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Alpha CONDE (since 21 December 2010)
  head of government: Prime Minister Mohamed Said FOFANA (since 24 December 2010)
  cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
  elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 27 June 2010 with a runoff on 7 November 2010 (next scheduled for 11 October 2015); prime minister appointed by the president
  election results: Alpha CONDE elected president in runoff; percent of vote - Alpha CONDE (RPG) 52.5%, Cellou Dalein DIALLO (UFDG) 47.5%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; 76 members directly elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation vote and 38 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)
  elections: last held on 28 September 2013 (next scheduled for 2018)
  election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - RPG 53, UFDG 37, UFR 10, other 14
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into Administrative Chamber and Civil, Penal, and Social Chamber; court consists of the first president, 2 chamber presidents, at least 4 councillors, the solicitor general and NA deputies); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 members)
  judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court first president appointed by the national president after consultation with the National Assembly; other members appointed by presidential decree; member tenure NA; Constitutional Court member appointments - 2 by the National Assembly and the president of the republic, 3 experienced judges designated by their peers, 1 experienced lawyer, 1 university professor with expertise in public law designated by peers, and 2 experienced representatives of the Independent National Institution of Human Rights; members serve single 9-year terms
  subordinate courts: includes Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; courts of first instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; High Court of Justice or Cour d'Assises; labor court; military tribunal; justices of the peace; specialized courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  National Party for Hope and Development or PEDN [Lansana KOUYATE]
  Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE] (ruling party)
  Union for the Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean Marie DORE]
  Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Cellou Dalein DIALLO]
  Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]
  note: listed are the five most popular parties as of January 2014; overall, there are more than 140 registered parties
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  National Confederation of Guinean Workers-Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance (includes National Confederation of Guinean Workers or CNTG, Labor Union of Guinean Workers or USTG)
  Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG
  International organization participation:
  ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Mamady CONDE (since 14 July 2014)
  chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300
  FAX: [1] (202) 986-3800
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Alexander Mark LASKARIS (since 28 September 2012)
  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] 655-10-40-00
  FAX: [224] 655-10-42-97
  Flag description:
  three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; red represents the people's sacrifice for liberation and work; yellow stands for the sun, for the riches of the earth, and for justice; green symbolizes the country's vegetation and unity
  note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia; the colors from left to right are the reverse of those on the flags of neighboring Mali and Senegal
  National symbol(s):
  national colors: red, yellow, green
  National anthem:
  name: "Liberte" (Liberty)
  lyrics/music: unknown/Fodeba KEITA
  note: adopted 1958

- ## Economy :: GUINEA

- Economy - overview:
  Guinea is a poor country of approximately 11.7 million people that possesses the world's largest reserves of bauxite and world’s largest untapped high-grade iron ore reserves (Simandou), as well as gold and diamonds. In addition, Guinea has fertile soil, ample rainfall, and is the source of several West African rivers, including the Senegal, Niger, and Gambia. Guinea's hydro potential is enormous and the country could be a major exporter of electricity. The country also has tremendous agriculture potential. Gold, bauxite, and diamonds are Guinea’s main mineral exports. Following the death of long-term President Lansana CONTE in 2008 and the coup that followed, international donors, including the G-8, the IMF, and the World Bank, significantly curtailed their development programs in Guinea. However, the IMF approved a new 3-year Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement in 2012, following the December 2010 presidential elections. In September 2012, Guinea achieved Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) completion point status. Future access to international assistance and investment will depend on the government’s ability to be transparent, combat corruption, reform its banking system, improve its business environment, and build infrastructure. In April 2013, the government amended its mining code to reduce taxes and royalties. In September 2013, legislative elections were held and the National Assembly was seated in January 2014. In 2014, Guinea also complied with requirements of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative by publishing its mining contracts and was found to be compliant. International investors have shown interest in Guinea's unexplored mineral reserves, which have the potential to propel Guinea's future growth.
  The biggest threats to Guinea’s economy are political instability, the continuation of the Ebola epidemic, and low international commodity prices. Rising international donor support and reduced government investment spending will lessen fiscal strains created by the Ebola epidemic, but economic recovery will be a long process while the government continues to fight the disease. As of March 2015, Guinea had approximately 3,200 confirmed and suspected cases of Ebola with over 2,100 deaths (65.6% mortality rate). The economic toll of Ebola on the Guinean economy is considerable. Ebola stalled promising economic growth in 2014 and unless the epidemic ends in 2015, the economy will continue to stagnate. Normal economic growth has not returned and several projects have stalled, such as offshore oil exploration and the giant Simandou iron ore project. Promising reductions in Ebola cases in the first half of 2015 could see Guinea turn the corner on the disease and have Ebola eradicated later in the year. The 240 Megawatt Kaleta Dam is expected to be commissioned in late June or early July 2015 and President Alpha CONDE’s administration has stated that Conakry will have full time electricity once Kaleta comes online. Currently the capital only receives six to eight hours of electricity per day. Although the recent political stability has brought renewed interest in Guinea from the private sector, an enduring legacy of corruption, inefficiency, and lack of government transparency, combined with fears of Ebola, continue to undermine Guinea's economic viability.
  Successive governments have failed to address the country's crumbling infrastructure, which is needed for economic development. Guinea suffers from chronic electricity shortages; poor roads, rail lines and bridges; and a lack of access to clean water continue to plague economic development. Presidential elections are scheduled for October 2015 and investors are cautiously awaiting the outcome. Guinea is a new democracy and past election violence as well as Ebola may keep investors on the sideline until 2016. The Guinean government, led by President CONDE, is working to create an economy to attract foreign investment and hopes to have greater participation from western countries/firms in Guinea's economic development.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $14.97 billion (2014 est.)
  $14.91 billion (2013 est.)
  $14.58 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 150
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $6.529 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  0.4% (2014 est.)
  2.3% (2013 est.)
  3.8% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 128
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $1,300 (2014 est.)
  $1,300 (2013 est.)
  $1,300 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 220
  Gross national saving:
  -8.8% of GDP (2014 est.)
  -0.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
  -4% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 101.3%
  government consumption: 12.4%
  investment in fixed capital: 14.5%
  investment in inventories: 0%
  exports of goods and services: 26%
  imports of goods and services: -54.1%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 20.2%
  industry: 44.5%
  services: 35.3% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  rice, coffee, pineapples, mangoes, palm kernels, cocoa, cassava (manioc, tapioca), bananas, potatoes, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
  Industries:
  bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron ore; light manufacturing, agricultural processing
  Industrial production growth rate:
  4.4% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 63
  Labor force:
  5.045 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 76%
  industry and services: 24% (2006 est.)
  Unemployment rate:
  NA%
  Population below poverty line:
  47% (2006 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 2.7%
  highest 10%: 30.3% (2007)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  39.4 (2007)
  40.3 (1994)
  country comparison to the world: 63
  Budget:
  revenues: $1.52 billion
  expenditures: $1.812 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  22.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 142
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -4.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  9.7% (2014 est.)
  11.9% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 210
  Central bank discount rate:
  NA% (31 December 2010)
  22.25% (31 December 2005)
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  23% (31 December 2014 est.)
  26% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 10
  Stock of narrow money:
  $1.916 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.856 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Stock of broad money:
  $2.199 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.02 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $2.251 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.022 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 136
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  -$1.205 billion (2014 est.)
  -$974.7 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Exports:
  $1.754 billion (2014 est.)
  $1.784 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Exports - commodities:
  bauxite, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products
  Exports - partners:
  South Korea 27%, India 20.9%, Spain 6.6%, Ireland 5.1%, Germany 4.4% (2014)
  Imports:
  $2.155 billion (2014 est.)
  $2.128 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  Imports - commodities:
  petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
  Imports - partners:
  China 18.4%, Netherlands 6.6%, India 4.3% (2014)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $185.3 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $165.7 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 162
  Debt - external:
  $843.5 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $724.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 167
  Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
  $148 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $148 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 90
  Exchange rates:
  Guinean francs (GNF) per US dollar -
  7,025 (2014 est.)
  7,003.5 (2013 est.)
  6,986 (2012 est.)
  6,658 (2011 est.)
  5,726.1 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: GUINEA

- Electricity - production:
  950 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Electricity - consumption:
  883.5 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 156
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Electricity - imports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 155
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  398,000 kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 148
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  67.8% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 116
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  32.2% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 70
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 183
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 181
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 123
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 196
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  8,810 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 159
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 183
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  9,089 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 141
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 110
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 146
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  1.388 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 162

- ## Communications :: GUINEA

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 0
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 219
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 8.7 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 76 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Telephone system:
  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; fixed-line teledensity less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership is expanding and exceeds 40 per 100 persons
  international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
  Broadcast media:
  government maintains marginal control over broadcast media; single state-run TV station; state-run radio broadcast station also operates several stations in rural areas; a steadily increasing number of privately owned radio stations, nearly all in Conakry, and about a dozen community radio stations; foreign TV programming available via satellite and cable subscription services (2011)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006)
  Television broadcast stations:
  6 (2001)
  Internet country code:
  .gn
  Internet users:
  total: 195,100
  percent of population: 1.7% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 156

- ## Transportation :: GUINEA

- Airports:
  16 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 4
  over 3,047 m: 1
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 12
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 7
  914 to 1,523 m: 3
  under 914 m:
  2 (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 662 km
  narrow gauge: 662 km 1.000-m gauge (20014)
  country comparison to the world: 87
  Roadways:
  total: 44,348 km
  paved: 4,342 km
  unpaved: 40,006 km (2003)
  country comparison to the world: 79
  Waterways:
  1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft in the northern part of the Niger River system) (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 53
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Conakry, Kamsar

- ## Military :: GUINEA

- Military branches:
  National Armed Forces: Army, Guinean Navy (Armee de Mer or Marine Guineenne, includes Marines), Guinean Air Force (Force Aerienne de Guinee) (2009)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18-25 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 18-month conscript service obligation (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 2,359,203
  females age 16-49: 2,329,784 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 1,493,991
  females age 16-49: 1,535,418 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 118,443
  female: 115,901 (2010 est.)

- ## Transnational Issues :: GUINEA

- Disputes - international:
  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
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  refugees (country of origin): 6,580 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2014)
  Trafficking in persons:
  current situation: Guinea is a source, transit, and, to a lesser extent a destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; the majority of trafficking victims are Guinean children; Guinean girls are subjected to domestic servitude and commercial sexual exploitation, while boys are forced to beg or to work as street vendors, shoe shiners, or miners; some Guinean children are forced to mine in Senegal, Mali, and possibly other West African countries; Guinean women and girls are subjected to domestic servitude and sex trafficking in Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Benin, Senegal, Western Europe, the US, and the Middle East, while Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese women are forced into prostitution in Guinea
  tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List – Guinea does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; the government conducted six trafficking investigations in 2013 and prosecuted and convicted only one trafficking offender, which was an increase over the previous year; the government failed to provide victims with protective services and did not support NGOs that assisted victims but continued to refer child victims to NGOs on an ad hoc basis; Guinean law does not prohibit all forms of trafficking, excluding, for example, debt bondage (2014)

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