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Compare British Indian Ocean Territory (2007) - Guinea (2007)

Compare British Indian Ocean Territory (2007) z Guinea (2007)

 British Indian Ocean Territory (2007)Guinea (2007)
 British Indian Ocean TerritoryGuinea
Administrative divisions - 33 prefectures and 1 special zone (zone special)*; Beyla, Boffa, Boke, Conakry*, Coyah, Dabola, Dalaba, Dinguiraye, Dubreka, Faranah, Forecariah, Fria, Gaoual, Gueckedou, Kankan, Kerouane, Kindia, Kissidougou, Koubia, Koundara, Kouroussa, Labe, Lelouma, Lola, Macenta, Mali, Mamou, Mandiana, Nzerekore, Pita, Siguiri, Telimele, Tougue, Yomou
Age structure - 0-14 years: 44.3% (male 2,226,414/female 2,183,153)


15-64 years: 52.5% (male 2,611,833/female 2,610,773)


65 years and over: 3.2% (male 138,392/female 177,249) (2007 est.)
Agriculture - products - rice, coffee, pineapples, palm kernels, cassava (tapioca), bananas, sweet potatoes; cattle, sheep, goats; timber
Airports 1 (2007) 16 (2007)
Airports - with paved runways total: 1


over 3,047 m: 1 (2007)
total: 5


over 3,047 m: 1


2,438 to 3,047 m: 1


1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 (2007)
Airports - with unpaved runways - total: 11


1,524 to 2,437 m: 6


914 to 1,523 m: 3


under 914 m: 2 (2007)
Area total: 54,400 sq km


land: 60 sq km; Diego Garcia 44 sq km


water: 54,340 sq km


note: includes the entire Chagos Archipelago of 55 islands
total: 245,857 sq km


land: 245,857 sq km


water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative land area is about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC slightly smaller than Oregon
Background Established as a territory of the UK in 1965, a number of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) islands were transferred to the Seychelles when it attained independence in 1976. Subsequently, BIOT has consisted only of the six main island groups comprising the Chagos Archipelago. The largest and most southerly of the islands, Diego Garcia, contains a joint UK-US naval support facility. All of the remaining islands are uninhabited. Former agricultural workers, earlier residents in the islands, were relocated primarily to Mauritius but also to the Seychelles, between 1967 and 1973. In 2000, a British High Court ruling invalidated the local immigration order that had excluded them from the archipelago, but upheld the special military status of Diego Garcia. 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. Guinea has maintained its internal stability despite spillover effects from conflict in Sierra Leone and Liberia. As those countries have rebuilt, Guinea's own vulnerability to political and economic crisis has increased. In 2006, declining economic conditions and popular dissatisfaction with corruption and bad governance prompted two massive strikes that sparked urban unrest in many Guinean cities.
Birth rate - 41.53 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Budget - revenues: $256 million


expenditures: $503.9 million (2006 est.)
Capital - name: Conakry


geographic coordinates: 9 33 N, 13 42 W


time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Climate tropical marine; hot, humid, moderated by trade winds generally hot and humid; monsoonal-type rainy season (June to November) with southwesterly winds; dry season (December to May) with northeasterly harmattan winds
Coastline 698 km 320 km
Constitution - 23 December 1990 (Loi Fundamentale)
Country name conventional long form: British Indian Ocean Territory


conventional short form: none


abbreviation: BIOT
conventional long form: Republic of Guinea


conventional short form: Guinea


local long form: Republique de Guinee


local short form: Guinee


former: French Guinea
Death rate - 15.33 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Debt - external - $3.226 billion (2006 est.)
Dependency status overseas territory of the UK; administered by a commissioner, resident in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London -
Diplomatic representation from the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador Phillip CARTER III


embassy: Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle


mailing address: B. P. 603, Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, Commune de Ratoma, Conakry


telephone: [224] 30-42-08-61 through 68


FAX: [224] 30-42-08-73
Diplomatic representation in the US none (overseas territory of the UK) chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant)


chancery: 2112 Leroy Place NW, Washington, DC 20008


telephone: [1] (202) 986-4300


FAX: [1] (202) 478-3800
Disputes - international Mauritius and Seychelles claim the Chagos Archipelago including Diego Garcia; in 2001, the former inhabitants of the Chagos Archipelago, evicted in 1967 and 1973 and now residing chiefly in Mauritius, were granted UK citizenship and the right to repatriation; in May 2006, the High Court of London reversed U.K. Government's 2004 orders of council that banned habitation on the islands; a small group of Chagossians visited Diego Garcia in April 2006; repatriation is complicated by the exclusive US military lease of Diego Garcia that restricts access to the largest viable island in the chain conflicts among rebel groups, warlords, and youth gangs in neighboring states have spilled over into Guinea, resulting in domestic instability; Sierra Leone considers Guinea's definition of the flood plain limits to define the left bank boundary of the Makona and Moa rivers excessive and protests Guinea's continued occupation of these lands, including the hamlet of Yenga, occupied since 1998
Economic aid - recipient - $182.1 million (2005)
Economy - overview All economic activity is concentrated on the largest island of Diego Garcia, where a joint UK-US military facility is located. Construction projects and various services needed to support the military installation are performed by military and contract employees from the UK, Mauritius, the Philippines, and the US. There are no industrial or agricultural activities on the islands. When the native Ilois return, they plan to reestablish sugarcane production and fishing. The territory makes money by selling fishing licenses and postage stamps. Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation. The country has almost half of the world's bauxite reserves and is the second-largest bauxite producer. The mining sector accounts for over 70% of exports. Long-run improvements in government fiscal arrangements, literacy, and the legal framework are needed if the country is to move out of poverty. Investor confidence has been sapped by rampant corruption, a lack of electricity and other infrastructure, a lack of skilled workers, and the political uncertainty due to the failing health of President Lansana CONTE. Guinea is trying to reengage with the IMF and World Bank, which cut off most assistance in 2003, and is working closely with technical advisors from the U.S. Treasury Department, the World Bank and IMF, seeking to return to a fully funded program. Growth rose slightly in 2006, primarily due to increases in global demand and commodity prices on world markets, but the standard of living fell. The Guinea franc depreciated sharply as the prices for basic necessities like food and fuel rose beyond the reach of most Guineans. Dissatisfaction with economic conditions prompted nationwide strikes in February and June 2006.
Electricity - consumption NA kWh 832.9 million kWh (2006)
Electricity - exports - 0 kWh (2006)
Electricity - imports - 0 kWh (2006)
Electricity - production NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by the US military 840 million kWh


note: excludes electricity generated at interior mining sites (2006)
Elevation extremes lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m


highest point: unnamed location on Diego Garcia 15 m
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m


highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Environment - current issues NA deforestation; inadequate supplies of potable water; desertification; soil contamination and erosion; overfishing, overpopulation in forest region; poor mining practices have led to environmental damage
Environment - international agreements - party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling


signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Ethnic groups - Peuhl 40%, Malinke 30%, Soussou 20%, smaller ethnic groups 10%
Exchange rates - Guinean francs per US dollar - 5,350 (2006), 3,644.3 (2005), 2,225 (2004), 1,984.9 (2003), 1,975.8 (2002)
Executive branch chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952)


head of government: Commissioner Leigh TURNER (since July 2006); Administrator Tony HUMPHRIES (since February 2005); note - both reside in the UK and are represented by the officer commanding British Forces on Diego Garcia


cabinet: NA


elections: none; the monarch is hereditary; commissioner and administrator appointed by the monarch
chief of state: President Lansana CONTE (head of military government since 5 April 1984, elected president 19 December 1993)


head of government: Prime Minister Lansana KOUYATE (since 26 February 2007)


cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president


elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); candidate must receive a majority of the votes cast to be elected president; election last held 21 December 2003 (next to be held in December 2010); the prime minister is appointed by the president


election results: Lansana CONTE reelected president; percent of vote - Lansana CONTE 95.3%, Mamadou Bhoye BARRY 4.6%
Exports - NA
Exports - commodities - bauxite, alumina, gold, diamonds, coffee, fish, agricultural products
Exports - partners - Russia 11.7%, Ukraine 9.6%, South Korea 8.9%, Spain 8.1%, France 7.8%, US 7.8%, Germany 5.4%, Ireland 5.1% (2006)
Fiscal year - calendar year
Flag description white with six blue wavy horizontal stripes; the flag of the UK is in the upper hoist-side quadrant; the striped section bears a palm tree and yellow crown centered on the outer half of the flag three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia
GDP - composition by sector - agriculture: 23.2%


industry: 38.2%


services: 38.6% (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate - 2.2% (2006 est.)
Geographic coordinates 6 00 S, 71 30 E; note - Diego Garcia 7 20 S, 72 25 E 11 00 N, 10 00 W
Geography - note archipelago of 55 islands; Diego Garcia, largest and southernmost island, occupies strategic location in central Indian Ocean; island is site of joint US-UK military facility the Niger and its important tributary the Milo have their sources in the Guinean highlands
Household income or consumption by percentage share - lowest 10%: 1.9%


highest 10%: 41% (2006)
Imports - NA
Imports - commodities - petroleum products, metals, machinery, transport equipment, textiles, grain and other foodstuffs
Imports - partners - China 8.6%, France 8.1%, Netherlands 4.8%, Belgium 4.4% (2006)
Independence - 2 October 1958 (from France)
Industrial production growth rate - NA%
Industries - bauxite, gold, diamonds, iron; alumina refining; light manufacturing, and agricultural processing
Infant mortality rate - total: 88.58 deaths/1,000 live births


male: 93.68 deaths/1,000 live births


female: 83.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2007 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) - 30% (2006 est.)
International organization participation - ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MINURSO, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Irrigated land 0 sq km 950 sq km (2003)
Judicial branch - Court of First Instance or Tribunal de Premiere Instance; Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme
Labor force - 3.7 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation - agriculture: 76%


industry and services: 24% (2006 est.)
Land boundaries 0 km total: 3,399 km


border countries: Cote d'Ivoire 610 km, Guinea-Bissau 386 km, Liberia 563 km, Mali 858 km, Senegal 330 km, Sierra Leone 652 km
Land use arable land: 0%


permanent crops: 0%


other: 100% (2005)
arable land: 4.47%


permanent crops: 2.64%


other: 92.89% (2005)
Languages - French (official); note - each ethnic group has its own language
Legal system the laws of the UK, where applicable, apply based on French civil law system, customary law, and decree; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations
Legislative branch - unicameral People's National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale Populaire (114 seats; members are elected by direct, popular vote to serve five-year terms)


elections: last held 30 June 2002 (next to be held in 2007)


election results: percent of vote by party - PUP 61.6%, UPR 26.6%, other 11.8%; seats by party - PUP 85, UPR 20, other 9
Life expectancy at birth - total population: 49.65 years


male: 48.5 years


female: 50.84 years (2007 est.)
Literacy - definition: age 15 and over can read and write


total population: 29.5%


male: 42.6%


female: 18.1% (2003 est.)
Location archipelago in the Indian Ocean, south of India, about one-half the way from Africa to Indonesia Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Map references Political Map of the World Africa
Maritime claims territorial sea: 3 nm


exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm


exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Military - note defense is the responsibility of the UK; the US lease on Diego Garcia expires in 2016 -
Military branches - Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard (2007)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP - 1.7% (2006)
National holiday - Independence Day, 2 October (1958)
Nationality - noun: Guinean(s)


adjective: Guinean
Natural hazards NA hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season
Natural resources coconuts, fish, sugarcane bauxite, iron ore, diamonds, gold, uranium, hydropower, fish, salt
Net migration rate - 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
Political parties and leaders - Democratic Party of Guinea-African Democratic Rally or PDG-RDA [El Hadj Ismael Mohamed Gassim GUSHEIN]; Dyama; National Union for Progress or UPN [Mamadou Bhoye BARRY]; Party for Unity and Progress or PUP (the governing party) [Lansana CONTE]; People's Party of Guinea or PPG [Charles Pascal TOLNO]; Rally for the Guinean People or RPG [Alpha CONDE]; Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea or UFDG [Mamadou BAH]; Union of Republican Forces or UFR [Sidya TOURE]; Union for Progress of Guinea or UPG [Jean-Marie DORE, secretary-general]; Union for Progress and Renewal or UPR [Ousmane BAH]
Political pressure groups and leaders - National Confederation of Guinean Workers - Labor Union of Guinean Workers or CNTG-USTG Alliance: National Confederation of Guinean Workers [Rabiatou Sarah DIALLO] and Labor Union of Guinean Workers [Dr. Ibrahima FOFANA]; Syndicate of Guinean Teachers and Researchers or SLECG [Dr. Louis M'Bemba SOUMAH]; National Council of Civil Society Organizations of Guinea CNOSCG [Ben Sekou SYLLA]
Population no indigenous inhabitants


note: approximately 1,200 former agricultural workers resident in the Chagos Archipelago, often referred to as Chagossians or Ilois, were relocated to Mauritius and the Seychelles in the 1960s and 1970s; in November 2000 they were granted the right of return by a British High Court ruling, though no timetable has been set; in November 2004, there were approximately 4,000 UK and US military personnel and civilian contractors living on the island of Diego Garcia
9,947,814 (July 2007 est.)
Population below poverty line - 47% (2006 est.)
Population growth rate - 2.62% (2007 est.)
Radio broadcast stations AM 1, FM 2, shortwave 0 (1998) AM 0, FM 5, shortwave 3 (2006)
Railways - total: 837 km


standard gauge: 175 km 1.435-m gauge


narrow gauge: 662 km 1.000-m gauge (2006)
Religions - Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%
Sex ratio - at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female


under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female


15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female


65 years and over: 0.781 male(s)/female


total population: 1.001 male(s)/female (2007 est.)
Suffrage - 18 years of age; universal
Telephone system general assessment: separate facilities for military and public needs are available


domestic: all commercial telephone services are available, including connection to the Internet


international: country code (Diego Garcia) - 246; international telephone service is carried by satellite (2000)
general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire lines, small radiotelephone communication stations, and new microwave radio relay system


domestic: Conakry reasonably well served; coverage elsewhere remains inadequate and large companies tend to rely on their own systems for nationwide links; combined fixed and mobile-cellular teledensity is about 2 per 100 persons


international: country code - 224; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)
Telephones - main lines in use NA 26,300 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular - 189,000 (2005)
Television broadcast stations 1 (1997) 6 (2001)
Terrain flat and low (most areas do not exceed two meters in elevation) generally flat coastal plain, hilly to mountainous interior
Total fertility rate - 5.75 children born/woman (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate - NA%
Waterways - 1,300 km (navigable by shallow-draft native craft) (2005)
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