Guinea: flag, capital, currency and history

Guinea, officially the Republic of Guinea, is a country in Western Africa, Africa. Its capital is Conakry. The currency is the Guinean franc. Languages spoken include French.

Quick facts about Guinea

Official name: Republic of Guinea
Capital: Conakry
Region: Africa, Western Africa
Currency: Guinean franc (GNF, Fr)
Languages: French
Calling code: +224
Internet domain: .gn
Area: 245,857 km² (94,926 sq mi)
Land borders: Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, Sierra Leone
Demonym: Guinean
National day: Independence Day, October 2

Flag of Guinea

Download the flag of Guinea as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇬🇳.

SVG (vector)

History of Guinea

The region of modern Guinea lay within the sphere of the Ghana, Mali and Songhai empires. In the 18th century the Fula established the Imamate of Futa Jallon in the highlands. France extended control over the coast and interior during the 19th century, and the territory became French Guinea within French West Africa. In a 1958 referendum Guinea voted to reject membership in the proposed French Community and became independent that year under Ahmed Sekou Toure. A military takeover followed his death in 1984. Guinea is a republic with its capital at Conakry.

Key dates

13th centuryThe area becomes part of the Mali Empire.
18th centuryThe Fula establish the Imamate of Futa Jallon.
1890sFrance consolidates control and forms the colony of French Guinea.
1958Guinea votes against the French Community and becomes independent on 2 October.
1984The military takes power after the death of Ahmed Sekou Toure.
2010Guinea holds a presidential election described as its first competitive vote.
2021A military coup removes the sitting president.