 | | | |
|  | GUINEA COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | The Republic of Guinea is located in West Africa and bounded by Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Mali, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The River Niger flows north from the southern highlands into Mali before turning south again through Niger and Nigeria. The coastal plain is made up of mangrove swamps. In the northeast, savannah plains of the Sahel region stretch into Mali. To the south are mountains known as the Guinea Highlands. Guinea's main attraction to tourists is its relatively undisturbed countryside. Its landscape varies from mountains to plains and from savannah to forest. The capital, Conakry, is located on the island of Tumbo and connected to the Kaloum Peninsula by a 300m-long (984ft) pier. The city is well laid out, its alleys shaded by mangrove and coconut palm trees. One dish visitors are likely to be offered is hot maize soup, served from calabashes. 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. Guinea has had only two presidents since gaining its independence from France in 1958. Lansana CONTE came to power in 1984, when the military seized the government after the death of the first president, Sekou TOURE. Guinea did not hold democratic elections until 1993 when Gen. CONTE (head of the military government) was elected president of the civilian government. He was reelected in 1998 and again in 2003. Unrest in Sierra Leone and Liberia has spilled over into Guinea on several occasions over the past decade, threatening stability and creating humanitarian emergencies. Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country possesses over 30% of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounted for about 75% of exports in 1999. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Fighting along the Sierra Leonean and Liberian borders, as well as refugee movements, have caused major economic disruptions, aggravating a loss in investor confidence. Foreign mining companies have reduced expatriate staff. Panic buying has created food shortages and inflation and caused riots in local markets. Guinea is not receiving multilateral aid. The IMF and World Bank cut off most assistance in 2003. Growth rose slightly in 2004, primarily due to increases in global demand and commodity prices on world markets. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
|
| RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | 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 through its once stubbornly closed doors. Even so, it is still one of the least visited countries in Africa and it can be difficult, despite declarations to the contrary, to acquire visas.
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 is connected to the Kaloum Peninsula by a 300m-long (984ft) pier. The city is well laid-out, its alleys shaded by mangrove and coconut palm trees. The Cathedral, built in the 1930s and located in the town centre, is well worth viewing. There is also a National Museum. The Kakimbon Caves in the village of Ratoma, now a suburb of Conakry, are the source of many interesting legends and are bestowed with great religious significance by the local Baga people. The Îles de Los, off the Kaloum Peninsula some 10km (6 miles) south-west of Conakry, are recommended as a tourist destination and are easily accessible from Conakry. Good beaches can also be found at the Île de Roume and Île de Kassa, the latter being accessible via a public boat service. Approximately 150km (93 miles) outside Conakry is the picturesque La Voile de la Marée, nestled at the bottom of a 70m-high (230ft) rock from which the River Sabende plunges, amidst lush vegetation, into a deep pond. In Pita, located between Dalaba and Labé, the Kinkon Falls can be found which produce 150m (492ft) of cascading water.
Known as the land of waters, fruit, faith and freedom, the Fouta Djalon highlands are renowned for their picturesque hills, offering superb views, and the rolling valleys and waterfalls, which are all presided over by the mostly Muslim population of Fula herders and farmers. In the eastern region of Guinea lie many historical towns with echoes and remnants of medieval empires. Along a road following the Nimba Range, which stretches from Guinea to the Côte d'Ivoire, small groups of round houses nestle in traditional African villages. In the south is the Guinée Forestière, a highland area of rainforest and old pre-Islamic tribes.
There are no national parks in Guinea, but wildlife can best be seen in the northeast savannahs between the Tinkisso River and the Mali border, in the foothills of the Fouta Djalon highlands and in the southeast. | | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
|  More Resources | | | | Traveller Forums |  | Travel Forums. First time users check out the Board Rules for instructions on using this travel message board. You have to create an account before you can add and relpy to messages. Please feel freely at any time to write your query or reply to our forum members.
This is a forum which gives people the opportunity to exchange information about travelling, as well as discuss various topics of interest. |
| | Photo Albums |  | Travel Photo Albums. This category contains photo albums and articles that belong to our users and visitors.
Upload and manage their own photos on our website. Rate the pictures and add additional comments. Images and articles are stored in individual user albums. | | 
| |
