Guinea, country, Africa: Land and People

Land and People

A humid and tropical country, Guinea comprises an alluvial coastal plain, the mountainous Fouta Djallon region, a savanna interior, and the forested Guinea Highlands, which rise to c.5,800 ft (1,770 m) in the Nimba Mts. Guinea's main ethnic groups are the pastoral Fulani and the agrarian Malinké, Susu, and other peoples. Although French is the country's official language, each ethnic group has its own language. About 85% of the population is Muslim; the rest are either Christian or followers of traditional religious beliefs.

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