GENERAL
Official name of the state
Republic of Guinea.
Capital
Conakry.
Geography
According to topschoolsintheusa, Guinea is located in West Africa and borders on Guinea-Bissau in the north-west, Senegal and Mali in the north, Côte d’Ivoire in the east, Liberia in the south and Sierra Leone in the south-west. Guinea’s rivers supply much of West Africa with water. The Niger flows north from the southern highlands through Mali before turning south again (through Niger, Benin to Nigeria). The coastal plain consists of mangrove swamps, while the inland Fouta Djalon hills form several mountain ranges and plateaus in western Guinea. In the northeast are the Sahel zone, which extends as far as Mali. The south is mountainous.
Government
Presidential republic since 1991 (Third Republic). 1990 Constitution. Parliament (114 members) is elected every 4 years. Direct election of the head of state every 5 years. Independent since 1958 (former French colony).
Head of state
Alpha Condé, since December 2010.
Head of government
Mamady Youla, since December 2015.
Electricity
220 V, 50 Hz.
Time zone
Greenwich Mean Time: CET -1
TRAVEL WARNING
Overview Guinea
Security
advice from the Foreign Office: Status: July 18, 2016
Unchanged valid since: July 5, 2016
Current information
There are currently no known Ebola infections in Guinea.
In principle, a recurrence of Ebola infections in West Africa cannot be ruled out. It is therefore advisable to follow the news, observe general hygiene measures and stay away from the visibly ill.
You can find a leaflet on Ebola at www.diplo.de/reisemedizin
Country-specific safety information
Inland travelers should be aware that violent conflicts between different family clans or ethnic groups can arise at any time. Travelers should therefore always keep themselves informed about the current security situation.
Due to the very difficult economic situation for the majority of the population, there are repeated acts of vandalism and road blockades in Conakry, but also inland. Violent crime in a gang is also increasingly widespread; At night there are frequent attacks on passers-by, houses and shops. The number of reported robberies, some by armed perpetrators in uniform, has increased. The security forces try to curb this serious crime by using firearms, which increases the risk of being hit by stray bullets. Particular caution is advised when visiting the following districts of Conakry: Bambeto, Hamdallaye, Matoto, Cosa, Koloma, Simbaya, Wanidara.
MONEY
Currency
1 guinea franc = 100 centimes. Currency abbreviation: FG, GNF (ISO code). Banknotes are in circulation with a value of 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 1000, 500 and 100 FG. Coins are in circulation to the value of 25, 10, 5 and 1 FG.
Credit cards
Credit cards are sometimes accepted as a method of payment. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
ATMs are not available.
Bank opening times
- General Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.-5 p.m.
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of the local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currencies is unlimited, declaration required. The export of foreign currency is limited to the declared amount minus the exchange amounts.
Currency Exchange
Hotels accept some foreign currencies as payment. Otherwise money can be exchanged in banks. Receipts must be retained.
LANGUAGE
Overview
French is the official language; native languages include Susu, Mande and Ful.
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles can be imported into Guinea duty-free:
1000 cigarettes or 250 cigars or 1 kg of tobacco;
1 opened bottle with alcoholic drink;
Perfume for personal use.
Declaration is mandatory for electronic devices for personal use (laptop, CD / MP3 player, camera, etc.).
Prohibited imports
Guns and drugs.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Good knowledge of French is required. Business hours: Mon-Thu 8 a.m.-4.30 p.m., Fri 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
Economy
Trade department of the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea
Jägerstrasse 67/69, D-10117 Berlin
Tel: (030) 20 07 43 30.
Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Agriculture de Guinée (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)
BP 545, Conakry.
Tel: 44 44 95, 41 41 95.
Business contacts
Trade department of the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea
Jägerstrasse 67/69, D-10117 Berlin
Tel: (030) 20 07 43 30.
Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Agriculture de Guinée (Chamber of Industry and Commerce)
BP 545, Conakry.
Tel: 44 44 95, 41 41 95.
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service. Telephone connections are poor, international calls have to be made through the operator. Limited telephone and fax connections are usually available between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Cellphone
GSM 900. Cellular companies are Spacetel Guinee and Sotelgui.
Internet
Main providers: ETI (Internet: www.biasy.net/~en/philosophie.htm) and BINNTA (Internet: http://www.mirinet.net.gn).
Post Office
There are post offices in the capital.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
You can find good offers in the markets. Popular souvenirs are the typically colorful clothes, wood carvings, leather runners with simple black and white patterns, metal jewelry, local records, bottle gourds and jewelry. Shop opening times: i. A. Mon-Sat 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
The entertainment offer includes night clubs and cinemas. In the streets you can often meet singing and dancing groups who play traditional musical instruments or homemade guitars. Conakry is a lively music center, especially the songs of the Kindia tribe are beautiful.
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
In Conakry you will find some expensive hotels with acceptable comfort, there are also some hotels in Labé, Kindia and Dalaba. Accommodation should be booked well in advance and written confirmation should be requested.
Camping
Camping is not permitted.
CULTURE
Religion
Mostly Muslims (85%); Christian minorities (8%) and natural religions (7%).
Social rules of conduct
Although Islamic customs are not so strictly observed, customs and traditions should be respected. Everyday clothing is appropriate. Street crime is pronounced and valuables should not be displayed. Before starting a conversation, you should greet the other person and inquire about their well-being.
Taking photos: this requires a permit from the Ministère de l’Intérieur et de la Sécurité, which must be requested in advance. Public facilities such as barracks, police stations, airports, seaports, customs and fire services may not be filmed or photographed.
Tip: 5% service charge is usually included in the bill.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Tropical and muggy. Rainy season from May to October, dry season with Harmattan winds from December to May. Monsoon winds from June to November.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +224 Area (sq km) 245 857 Population 11 780 162 Population density (per sq km) 48 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No
