Mike in Guinea

Mike arrived in Guinea on August 26, 1999, after spending two months in Thiés, Senegal.  For his first month in Guinea he resided in the city Mamou (near the center of the country), learning more French, beginning to learn the regional language Pulaar, and training more for his job as a volunteer -- among other things, helping school teachers incorporate environmental education topics into their classes. 

In October Mike finally left for his final destination, and was sworn in as a volunteer.  He will be spending the next two years in Ditinn Centre in Ditinn Sous-Préfecture, which is in Guinea.  It is northwest of Mamou, near Dalaba. (see map of Guinea below).

Map of Guinea

Information on the Republic of Guinea
Data has been updated for 2005-2006 unless otherwise noted.

Geography

Area:  245,857 sq km (94,926 sq mi, about the size of Oregon).
Capital: Conakry, pop. 705,300
Climate: Tropical.  Two seasons:  Rainy and dry. 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.
Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (6 hours ahead of Central Basic Time)
Current weather forecast for Conakry, Guinea

People

Population:  8,772,000 (2003). According to the Guinean government, approximately 150,000 of the country's inhabitants are refugees.
Life Expectancy: 47 years (2000)
Religion: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%.
Ethnic groups: Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%
Languages: French (official), African languages (information about Pulaar, a language Mike is learning in Guinea, is found through this link under "FULFULDE, PULAAR")
Literacy: 35.9% (definition: age 15 and over can read and write)
Population Below Poverty Line: 40% (2003 est)

Government

Form of Government:  Republic.  Elected president (for 5-year term) and National Assembly of 114 deputies.
Independence: October 2, 1958 (from France)
Constitution: December 23, 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)
Flag Description: Three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia.

Economy

Guinea is the second poorest country in the world.
Currency:  the Franc Guinéen (Guinean Franc or GNF).
Exchange Rates: Guinean francs per US dollar - 2,550 (2005), 2,225 (2004), 1,984.9 (2003), 1,975.8 (2002), 1,950.6 (2001) (see African foreign exchange rates)
Per Capita Income:  $2,200 US (2005 estimate)
Population living on less than $1 a day: 26%
Trade:  Exports: bauxite, alumina, gold, diamond, coffee, fish, agricultural products.   Imports: petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs.
Main Trading Partners:  Imports (2005 figures): China 8.6%, US 7.5%, France 7.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 5.3%, Italy 4.8%, Belgium 4.2%. Exports (2005 figures): Russia 15.7%, South Korea 12.2%, Spain 10.9%, Ukraine 8.5%, United States 6.6%, Ireland 6.5%, France 6.2%, Germany 5.4%, Belgium 4.8%.