Independent from France since 1958, Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. Lansana Conte (the head of the military government) was elected president in disputed balloting. Security clampdowns continue, although not as severe as in earlier decades.
Guinea is richly endowed with minerals, possessing an estimated one-third of the world's proven reserves of bauxite, more than 1.8 billion metric tons of high-grade iron ore, significant diamond and gold deposits, and undetermined quantities of uranium. Guinea also has considerable potential for growth in the agricultural and fishing sectors. Land, water, and climatic conditions provide opportunities for largescale irrigated farming and agroindustry.
Guinea's armed forces are divided into four branches--army, navy, air force, and gendarmerie. The 10,000-member army is the largest of the four services. The navy has about 900 personnel and operates several small patrol craft and barges. Air force personnel total about 700; its equipment includes several Russian-supplied fighter planes and transport planes. Several thousand gendarmes are responsible for internal security.
Guinea's relations other countries, including with West African neighbors, have improved steadily since 1985. However, recent unrest in Sierra Leone has continued to threaten Guinea's stability. Guinea has participated in both diplomatic and military efforts to resolve conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau. Guinea has even offered asylum to over 700,000 Liberian, Sierra Leonean, and Bissauan refugees since 1990, despite the economic and environmental costs involved.
Demographic Data
Capital: Conakry
Government type: Democracy
Government stability: 71.8%
Government efficiency: 33.0%
Population's support to government: 72.3%
Area: 245,860 square kilometers
Habitable land: 60.0%
Farmable land: 6.0%
Total population: 6,549 thousands
Population's growth: 2.4%
Country's development level: 3,060
Economic Data
GNP: 6,300,000,000
Industralisation: 29.6%
International funding: 15,000,000
Political Data
Secret services efficiency: 1,503
Military Data
Technological generation: 1
Number of rebels: 1,244
Rebels development: 2,754
Rebels technological access: 2,141