The Republic of Guinea is bordered by Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone.Guinea's main attraction to tourists is its relatively undisturbed countryside. Its landscape varies from mountains to plains and from savannah to forest and the three great rivers of West Africa (the Gambia, the Senegal and the Niger) all originate here.
The capital, Conakry, is located on the island of Tumbo and connected to the Kaloum Peninsula by a 300m- (984ft-) long pier. The city is well laid out, its alleys shaded by mangrove and coconut palm trees. Guinea has a strong music tradition and Conakry, in particular, is a dynamic centre for music. The singing of the Kindia people is especially renowned.
In 1958, when it declared independence from France and voted in a staunchly socialist one-party government, Guinea became an isolated and secretive country. However, after the death of the dictator Sekou Touré in 1984, Guinea began, slowly, to allow tourists.
The Republic of Guinea covers 245,857 square kilometres (94,926 sq mi) of West Africa, about 10 degrees north of the equator. Guinea is divided into four natural regions with distinct human, geographic, and climatic characteristics:
- Maritime Guinea (La Guinée Maritime) covers 18% of the country
- Middle Guinea (La Moyenne-Guinée) covers 20% of the country
- Upper Guinea (La Haute-Guinée) covers 38% of the country
- Forested Guinea (Guinée forestière) covers 23% of the country, and is both forested and mountainous
The population of Guinea comprises about 24 ethnic groups. The Fulas or Fulani (French: Peuls; Fula: Fulɓe), comprise 40% of the population and are mostly found in the Futa Djallon region. The Mandinka, also known as Mandingo or Malinké, comprise 26% of the population and are mostly found in eastern Guinea concentrated around the Kankan and Kissidougou prefectures.
The Soussou, comprising 11% of the population, are predominantly in western areas around the capital Conakry, Forécariah, and Kindia. Smaller ethnic groups make up the remaining 23% of the population, including Kpelle, Kissi, Zialo, Toma and others.[1] Approximately 10,000 non-Africans live in Guinea, predominantly Lebanese, French, and other Europeans.
I am proud to say that I am amix of Fulani, Mandinka and Kissidougou :)
Guinea seems to be very beautiful and you gave a lot of detail about the history of your birth place. I really will like to try one of your famous dishes. The dish that caught my eye is the drink with ginger and pineapple. Guinea is a very spacious place with wonderful landmarks like the waterfall. Thanks for sharing with us the highlights of your country.
ReplyDeleteI will make some of that ginger and pineapple juice for you on day
DeleteFirst of all, as a member of the Fulani ethnic group, I have strong links with Guinea (even though I am not Guinean), which is the "home" and dominant country of the Fulani. I feel strongly linked in your introduction, when you talked about going back home one day, and bring what you've learnt and seen outside in Africa to develop the continent. I more than share this idea, and loved your introduction video about the two Americans coming back to Guinea. I enjoyed watching your videos showing the country, and I wish one day to go there. The food you presented make me hungry, I missed those delicious dishes and drinks. Very great article to read.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome to visit with me this winter :)
DeleteYour country is so beautiful it makes me miss home so bad the cascading waterfall, spending time with family sharing laughter and quality time together is always one to remember. I would like to visit Guinea in the future to explore all the tourist attraction sites. And Your dishes WOW am so hungry right now they look so tasty especially the KonkoeTouré gbeli i will love to have some while i enjoy some of the lovely flavored African bissap.....Take me When you going back :)
ReplyDeleteActually am going back this Winter, If you and Anthony want to join, you are more than welcome :)
DeleteYour work here added much more power to the interest I have in exploring Guinea. I have met a few people who shared what I should look forward to but your use of appropriate pictures and vivid words is intriguing. Thank you and maybe in the future I can look to you as a personal guide to the wonders of your Guinea
ReplyDeleteGreat job... representating the mother land... and you did it perfectly.
ReplyDeleteWell done
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ReplyDeleteI think it's interesting how many different ethnic groups make up the country. It makes me realise that so many different ethnicities coming together makes Guinea a country that is rich in culture and I would love to visit one day to experience that.
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