Brief information
Guinea is probably the least known country in West Africa. For many years, due to the political situation, this country was off the tourist routes, differing in this from neighboring Senegal and the Gambia. In recent years, the Guinean authorities have taken a number of measures aimed at attracting foreign tourists to the country, who are waiting for picturesque landscapes, valleys, jungles and excellent beaches on the Atlantic coast.
Geography of Guinea
The Republic of Guinea is located in West Africa. Previously, this country was known to us as French Guinea. Sometimes today this state is called Guinea-Conakry (to distinguish it from Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea).
In the north it borders on Senegal, in the northeast and partly in the north – on Mali, in the northwest – on Guinea-Bissau, in the southwest – on Sierra Leone, in the east – on Côte d’Ivoire, and on south – with Liberia. In the west, Guinea is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The total area of this state is 245,857 sq. km., and the total length of the state border is 3,399 km.
Guinea is divided into 4 main geographic regions: the Basse-Coté lowlands, the Fouta Djallon mountain plateau running from the server south across the middle of the country, the Sahelian Haute-Guinea in the northeast, and the jungle in the northeast. The highest local peak is Mount Nimba, whose height reaches 1,752 meters.
Capital
According to babyinger.com, Conakry is the capital of the Republic of Guinea. The population of this city is now more than 2.2 million people. Conakry was founded by the French in 1884.
Official language of Guinea
The official language is French.
Religion
About 82% of the inhabitants are Muslims, 8% are Christians, and approximately 5% of the population adhere to local beliefs (animists).
State structure
According to cancermatters.net, Guinea is a presidential republic headed by the President. The political situation in the country cannot be called stable. From time to time, short-term hostilities break out between different social groups and political parties.
The unicameral local parliament is called the National Assembly of Guinea and consists of 114 deputies.
Administratively, the country is divided into 7 regions, which in turn are divided into 33 prefectures.
Climate and weather
The climate is tropical monsoon. The dry season is from October to March and the wet season is from April to September. On the coast, the air temperature is high throughout the year (especially high temperatures during the dry season).
Rivers and lakes
There are a lot of small rivers in Guinea that flow into the Niger or into the Atlantic Ocean. All these rivers originate in the mountains.
Ocean off the coast of Guinea
In the west, the country is washed by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean. The length of the coast is 320 km.
Culture
The Republic of Guinea is famous for its rich cultural heritage. Guinean music and dance has become known throughout the world thanks to local art groups – African Ballets and Djoliba Ballets.
Since Guinea is a Muslim country, most of the holidays there are of an appropriate religious nature (Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha). However, each Guinean village can have its own holidays, which are always celebrated very colorfully and magnificently.
Kitchen
The main food products are rice, cassava, yams, corn, meat (chicken), fish and seafood, fruits. Chopped hot peppers are served with many dishes. The inhabitants of this country very often make stews from a variety of ingredients. In general, French and Lebanese culinary traditions have had a noticeable influence on Guinean cuisine.
We recommend trying Jollof rice, stuffed chicken with peanuts, fish and rice, corn soup and much more.
Traditional soft drinks are fruit juices.
The traditional alcoholic drink is West African beer brands.
Attractions
Conakry, the capital of Guinea, is famous for its Botanical Garden, Cathedral (1930s), National Museum, People’s Palace and Moorish villas. In the suburbs of the capital there are Kakimbon caves, which are associated with many legends and legends. For the Baga people, these caves are sacred.
In Faran, the main attractions are the Grand Mosque, restaurants, cafes, markets and villas. In general, Faranah is the beginning of sightseeing tours along the Niger River to the rapids of Fuyama and the Bafara waterfall. This whole territory is sacred for many local peoples, so it is better to travel there with a guide.
Approximately 220 km northeast of Conakry is the Phuta Jallon Plateau, famous for its picturesque hills. The area is ideal for hiking.
There are no national parks in Guinea, but wildlife is best viewed in the northeast near the border with Mali, on the Phuta Jallon Plateau and in the southeast.
Cities and resorts
The largest cities are Conakry (more than 2.2 million people), Nzerekore (more than 200 thousand people), Kindia (about 200 thousand people), Boke (more than 160 thousand people).
The local beaches are very beautiful, untouched with mangrove forests. The most famous beach is Bel Air, near Conakry. Near the village of Sabolan, there is also a very beautiful beach, where you can even live in huts on the ocean, paying a small amount for this to the locals.
The islands near the border with Guinea-Bissau are not only a secluded exotic place for a beach holiday, but there is also an amazing natural world with turtles and a large population of various birds.
The infrastructure of a beach holiday is not developed, but this is fully compensated by the beautiful Atlantic Ocean, nature and local color.
Souvenirs/Shopping
As souvenirs, handicrafts, wood products, traditional local fabrics, clothes, leather rugs, calabash, and jewelry are brought.
Office Hours
Banks:
Mon-Fri: 08:30-12:30 and 14:30-16:30
Shops:
Mon-Sat: 09:00-18:00
Visa
Ukrainians need to apply for a visa to visit Guinea.
Currency
The Guinean franc is the official currency of Guinea. Its international designation is GNF. One Guinean franc = 100 centimes. Credit cards are not common.
Customs restrictions
Local currency can be imported no more than GNF 100,000. Foreign currency can be imported without restrictions, but large amounts must be declared. Large amounts of currency when leaving the country should also be included in the declaration.
For the import of cats and dogs, a veterinary certificate and a certificate stating that they have been vaccinated against rabies are required.
To export products made of ivory, leather and wood, you need to obtain a special permit from the local authorities.
Useful phone numbers and addresses
Honorary Consulate of Guinea in Ukraine:
Postcode: 01024, Kiev, st. Kruglouniversitetskaya, 22/1 T:
(044) 253-15-85
email: [email protected]
Embassy of Ukraine in Guinea:
Republique de Guinee, Commune Calum
Corniche Nord, Quartier Camayenne BP 1350
T: (8 10 224 30)
46-87-92 mail: [email protected]
Emergency Phones
In case of emergencies, we recommend contacting the embassy.
Time
It is 3 hours behind Kyiv time. Those. if, for example, in Kyiv 13:00, then in Conakry – 10:00.
Tips
In hotels, restaurants and bars, tips (10% of the amount) are usually already included in the bill.
The medicine
It is recommended to get vaccinated against cholera, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, malaria, polio, tuberculosis, tetanus, abdominal fever, yellow fever before the trip. There is a year-round risk of malaria and rabies throughout the country.
Security
Muslim customs in Guinea are less strict than in the Arab world, but tourists should still respect them. Street crime is not unusual in this country. If you want to take pictures of local residents, be sure to ask them for permission.
