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Guinea

Guinea is a developing country in western Africa, with minimal facilities for tourism. Travelers who plan to stay in Conakry, the capital, should make reservations well in advance. French is the official language; Pular, Malinké, and Soussou are also widely spoken. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Guinea for additional information.

Guinea

   
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 COUNTRY OVERVIEW
Country Name: Guinea
Continent: Africa
Capital City: Conarky
Boundary Countries:

Cote d' lvoire, Guinea- Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone

Recommended Hospitals in Capital:

Clinique Ambroise Pare (Conarky)

Main Cities:

Conakry, Boké, Labé, Fria, Kindia, Kankan, Kamsar, Siguiri, Kissidougou, Macenta, Nzérékoré, Guéckédou

Country Size: 245,857 sq km
Population: 9,947,814

 

COUNTRY GENERAL INFORMATION
Language:

French(official), note: each ethnic group has its own language

Currency: Guinean franc(GNF)
Predominant Religions:

Muslim 85%, Chritian 8%, indigenous beliefs 7%

National Holidays: Independance Day, 2 October (1958)
Economic Status:

Guinea possesses major mineral, hydropower, and agricultural resources, yet remains an underdeveloped nation.

Security:

Army, Navy, Air Force, Presidential Guard

US Presence:
U.S. Embassy Conakry
P.O. Box 603
Transversale No. 2
Centre Administratif de Koloma
Commune de Ratoma
Conakry, Republic of Guinea
Telephone: +224-65-10-40-00
Document Requirements:

A passport, visa, international vaccination record (WHO card), and current yellow fever vaccination are all required.  Please contact the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea for the most current visa information.  The Embassy of the Republic of Guinea in Washington is located at 2112 Leroy Street, NW, Washington, DC  20008, tel. (202) 986-4300, fax (202) 478-3010.  Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest Guinean embassy or consulate.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Guinea.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

Major Airports:

Airports:  16, Airports w/paved runways:  5
Conakry International Airport (CKY/GUCY)
Conakry Airport, Guinea, BP 3126, Conkary, GUINEA
Tel: +224 (0)414144
Fax: +224 (0)411914
Customs, hours:  24 hours

Servicing Airlines:
Risks and Precautions:

The US Dept. of State has issued a Travel Warning for Guinea, which was updated on 3 December 2010 and is available on their website at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3122.html

The Department of State warns US citizens of the risks of travel to Guinea as the political situation there remains unpredictable. This Travel Warning replaces that of June 16, 2010, to update information on the security situation and note that children of US citizen employees of the Embassy have not yet been authorized to return to post.

Although Guinea has been relatively calm since the interim government declared a State of Emergency on November 18 to deter violence and protests following the disputed November 7 presidential election, large crowds of demonstrators have continued to block major intersections throughout the capital, and pelt passing vehicles with rocks. Additionally, an upsurge in property crime has resulted in the issuance of a 6p to 6a curfew. US citizens are advised that, although the US Embassy in Conakry returned to full staffing on March 29 after a six-month evacuation of family members and non-emergency staff, minor children of US citizen employees of the Embassy have not yet been authorized to return. This restriction will be periodically reevaluated.

The US Embassy in Guinea is open. The Embassy’s consular section continues to provide emergency and other services to US citizens. However, citizens should be aware that the Embassy may be forced to suspend all operations, including emergency services, without advance notice if the security situation deteriorates. The international airport in Conakry is operating normally at this time, but flights may be suspended if the current security situation worsens. Land borders are also open, but may close without warning. US citizens are urged to exercise extreme caution, to be particularly alert to their surroundings, and to avoid crowds, demonstrations, or any other form of public gathering. Visitors to Guinea should be familiar with their hotel evacuation plans, policies, or procedures.

US citizens in Guinea should carry their travel documents (i.e., passport, birth certificate, picture IDs, etc.) with them at all times. Additionally, US citizens in Guinea are reminded to stay in contact with friends and family in the United States to keep them apprised of their current welfare and whereabouts.

All US citizens traveling to or remaining in Guinea despite this Travel Warning are strongly urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP- https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/) so you can receive the most up-to-date security information. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of emergency.

The US Embassy is located on the Transversale No. 2, Centre Administratif de Koloma, opposite the New Radio Station in Ratoma, Conakry, Guinea. You can call the Embassy switchboard at +224-65-10-4000, or reach the consular section directly by calling +224-67-10-4444. For after-hours emergencies, please call +224-67-10-4311. 

Updated information on travel and security in Guinea may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the United States and Canada or, for callers outside of the United States and Canada, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Guinea and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.

Mortality Statistics:

Infant MR total:  88.58 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:  TOTAL 49.65 years (male 48.5/female 50.84)

Immunization Indicators:

Required: Yellow Fever

Recommended: Malaria, Hep A & B, Meningococcal, Rabies, Typhoid, Boosters: MMR, DPT, polio

Infectious Disease Concerns:

degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever are high risks in some locations
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
aerosolized dust or soil contact disease: Lassa fever

Overall Quality of Medical Services:

Medical facilities are poorly equipped and extremely limited both in the capital city and throughout Guinea. Medicines are in short supply, sterility of equipment should not be assumed, and treatment is frequently unreliable. Some private medical facilities provide a better range of treatment options than public facilities but are still well below global standards. There are no ambulance or emergency rescue services in Guinea and trauma care is extremely limited.

Providers in Network:
Direct Payment: 1
Referrals: 1
View Network Providers
Recent Medical Threats/ Concerns/Warnings:

Dengue, filariasis, leishmaniasis, and onchocerciasis (river blindness) are other diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region. Endemic foci of river blindness exist. The risk for contracting African sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis), which is caused by the bite of an infected tsetse fly, is high. A number of rickettsial infections also occur in this region. Plague occurs sporadically or in outbreaks. Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection, can be contracted in fresh water in this region. Other infections that tend to occur more often in longer-term travelers (or immigrants from the region) include tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis B.

Communications Info:

Country Calling Code:  +224    
Internet Country Code:  .gn

 



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