Guinea minerals in Africa. Geological structure and oil and gas potential of Equatorial Guinea. Fine arts and crafts of Guinea

Send your good work in the knowledge base is simple. Use the form below

Students, graduate students, young scientists who use the knowledge base in their studies and work will be very grateful to you.

Posted on http:// www. allbest. ru

INTRODUCTION

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is located in Central Africa and is one of the smallest countries in Africa with a population of just over 1 million people.

The basis of the country's economy until the last decades of the twentieth century. consisted of agricultural products (cocoa beans, coffee) and wood. Most of this production was exported to France and Spain. The overwhelming majority of cultivated land was previously distributed among small African farms. Europeans owned large plantations where most of the cocoa beans were produced.

WITH beginning of the XXI century, the economy of Equatorial Guinea has changed significantly due to the active development of oil and gas fields discovered in 1991 and 1996. Thanks to this, per capita income has increased sharply in recent years and amounted to almost 38 thousand dollars - 26th place in the world. guinea africa geological tectonic petroleum bearing

The main source of income in the country's GDP, which grew by 154% in 1997 alone, is currently the production and processing of oil and gas. This factor is important for a country of the size of Equatorial Guinea, despite the fact that the exact volume of existing oil and gas reserves in the republic is still unknown.

The current situation in the country's economy requires a sufficiently large number of qualified personnel capable of performing work on the technically and technologically complex equipment of companies engaged in oil and gas production and processing. This problem is further complicated by the fact that the vocational technical education system in Equatorial Guinea is underdeveloped. Therefore, a significant proportion of the company's qualified employees are hired from other countries.

Purpose Thesis work is the study and analysis of the geological structure and oil and gas potential of Equatorial Guinea.

To achieve this goal it was necessary:

Study the geological structure of Equatorial Guinea;

Conduct an analysis of the results of geological exploration and development of oil and gas fields;

To study the prospects for the development of the oil and gas industry in the republic.

Since these prospects directly depend on our own qualified personnel, the work also examines the ways of building a personnel training program for enterprises in the oil and gas processing industry of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.

Structure and scope of work. The thesis consists of four chapters, introduction, conclusion and bibliography.

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA

1.1 Geographical position

Fig 1. Overview map of Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a small country located in equatorial Africa. It has a territory of 28,051 km², mainly located in the mainland or Mbini (Rio Muni), which stretches 130 km along the coast and 300 km. inland and bordered on the north by Cameroon, on the east and south by Gabon and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean with the capital city of Bata.

The other part of the country consists of the so-called island regions with an area of 2034 km². These regions include the island of Bioko (formerly Fernando Poo), where the capital of Equatorial Guinea Malabo is located, the island of Annobon, the islands of Corisco, Elobey Grande and Elobey Chico and several others. The most important island, Bioko (2017 km I), is located north of the mainland, 40 miles off the coast of Cameroon in the Gulf of Bonny (Biafra), part of the Gulf of Guinea. The island is of volcanic origin, with a mountainous surface mainly with an altitude of 600-900m, covered with dense forests, with steep and rocky coastlines, with a length of 195 km. The maximum height of the mountain peak, also known as the peak of Santa Isabel Bizila, is 3,007 m. At its foot lies the capital of Equatorial Guinea - the city of Malabo. The island has fertile volcanic soils where cocoa is grown. Rivers and lakes are located mainly in the mountains.

Both the mainland and Biyoko Island have coastal plains and dense tropical forests. The main crops grown here are cassava, bananas and sweet potatoes. Most of local residents engaged in agriculture and fishing. On the territory of the state there are evergreen moist equatorial forests in which ficus and breadfruit trees grow; in total over 150 valuable species trees.

Typical representatives of the state's fauna are leopard, crocodile, buffalo, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, monkeys, antelope, a large number of snakes and birds.

The national flag was adopted in Equatorial Guinea at the time of the declaration of independence on October 12, 1968.

Green color symbolizes the flora of the country, blue - the sea, white - peace and red - independence.

CHAPTER 2. GEOLOGICAL FEATURES OF WEST CENTRAL AFRICA AND EQUATORIAL GUINEA

2.1 Tectonic processes and stages of development of oil and gas basins in West Africa

The sedimentary cover of the West African passive margin is represented by Mesozoic - Cenozoic deposits. On the Precambrian foundation, at the base of the sedimentary cover of the basins, lie the rocks of the rift complex, formed during the breakup of the ancient continental crust. Continental rifts, along which the ancient supercontinents Pangea and Gondwana split, crossed over a long distance the deep interior regions of the ancient continents, so the composition of the sediments accumulated in them was very specific and surprisingly uniform over vast areas.

Overview diagrams of oil and gas geological zoning of the South Atlantic are presented in the figure

A decrease in ocean level and tectonic movements, apparently, often led to the loss of connection between these troughs, which, in an arid climate, inevitably caused salinization of water bodies, a reduction in their area, and even complete evaporation of water. All this favored the deposition of various evaporites, which over time formed thick salt-bearing strata, the presence of which is now established on the passive margins of West Africa. The belt of salt-bearing deposits stretches along the margins of Gabon and Angola (Upper Aptian salts). The appearance of marine carbonate and, in some cases, terrigenous formations marks a new stage in the development of these passive continental margins - the stage of development of primary ocean basins and the formation of continental slopes. In sedimentary sections, carbonate sediments overlie either salts or continental red beds.

Figure 2.1 - Oil and gas geological zoning of the South Atlantic (overview diagrams) A - oil and gas bearing provinces of the coasts (shading); B - oil and gas basins on the east coast Southeast Brazil; B - oil and gas basins on the western coast of Central Africa.

The Early Cretaceous era was a time of widespread occurrence of marine and deltaic terrigenous deposits. On many shelves, river deltas began to grow rapidly, where strata were formed, in sections of which sandstones, siltstones and clays alternate, sometimes with interlayers of brown coals and limestones. The thickness of these strata reaches several kilometers. Toward the continental slope, deltaic deposits are replaced by siltstone clays with interlayers of siderite nodules, which formed on the slope of deltas or in prodelta settings. The multi-kilometer terrigenous strata has a cyclic structure. In the lower part of many cyclites composed of sandy-siltstone sediments, gradational layering is observed. The tops of the same cyclites are represented by black clays, i.e., the presence of turbidites is noted. Often these turbidites are formed by ancient submarine fans.

A stable tendency toward subsidence and deep inland propagation have contributed to the development of continental rifts at the center of extensive drainage basins. Therefore, in humid zones they began to serve as natural channels for the flow of river waters, and in the era of rising sea levels - as paths for the advancement of marine transgressions. The channels of the largest and largest rivers of our time are confined to fragmentation zones - deep faults inherited from the period of active rifting - these are the rivers Niger, Ogowe, Congo, Kwanza, Sanga, Kunene, etc. Their deltas were formed in areas where these fault zones reach the ocean.

The removal of huge masses of terrigenous material from land over a long period of time led to the accumulation within narrow sections of the continental margin of West Africa of significant masses of sediments, which are concentrated, as a rule, not only in the delta, but also in large and sometimes gigantic underwater alluvial fans - the so-called deep-sea fans.

Another group of formations in this region, most characteristic of the late Mesozoic, are formations of carbonaceous terrigenous-carbonate and carbonate sediments, called “black clays”. This is a fairly diverse group of sediments, united by one - the only sign - enrichment organic matter, which determined their black color. “Black clays” reached a wide distribution at the end of the Early Cretaceous and the beginning of the Late Cretaceous era (Aptian - Albian and Cenomanian - Turonian). Among the formations of “black clays” there are strata of coastal and shelf origin, as well as deep-sea analogues that accumulated within the continental slope and foot, as mentioned above.

The end of the Late Cretaceous era and the first half of the Paleogene were marked by the appearance of specific chemogenic formations - evaporites, which had no analogues in previous geological history, zones of transition from the continent to the ocean. We are talking about formations of magnesian clays - palygorskites and sepiolites, occupying an intermediate position between the continental and salt-bearing series of coastal plains and hemipelagic, siliceous or carbonate sediments of the continental slope and foot.

The drop in sea level in the early and late Miocene, which was very significant, although inferior to the Middle Oligocene, was accompanied by the expansion of deltas of large and small rivers onto the shelf. In addition, this process took place against the backdrop of tectonic activation that engulfed many areas of Africa. All this led to the removal of significant quantities of terrigenous clastic and clayey material onto the shelf and continental foot. These terrigenous deltaic and coastal marine formations are excellent natural reservoirs for hydrocarbon deposits.

In general, the sedimentary fill of the basins stretching along the western margin of Africa can be divided into three structural stages, usually separated by unconformities or large stratigraphic breaks. The lower level corresponds to a rift complex of sediments, most often continental redstones.

The middle, structural floor is the rocks of carbonate and terrigenous-carbonate complexes, corresponding to the period of formation and initial stages of development of the passive continental margin of West Africa. These complexes make up the modern continental slope scarp and most of the sedimentary lens within the outer shelf. Finally, the upper, structural level includes young sediments that overlie the shelf and many areas of the slope and form a sedimentary lens at the foot of the continental slope.

On the outskirts that arose during the collapse of Gondwana, the lower, structural level is represented by rocks of Late Jurassic and Aptian age. The middle, structural floor consists of deposits of the Upper Cretaceous - Paleogene, and the upper floor includes sediments of Miocene and younger age.

The boundaries of sedimentary basins are drawn partly arbitrarily, since the sedimentary lens usually pinches out only towards the interior of the continent. It is practically continuous along the strike of the very margin (edge of the continent), changing, however, in thickness. In the same way, the sedimentary cover of the margin gradually transforms into the cover of the abyssal basin of the ocean. This transition is recorded both by facies changes and by a sharp reduction in thickness. However, no reliable criterion has been established here, although it is proposed to consider the outer boundary of the basin to be the boundary beyond which turbidites do not spread at the continental foot, or the thickness of the sedimentary sequence is reduced to 1.5 or even 1 km

Legend

Gulf of Guinea Province

Boundary between oceanic and continental crust

Major fault zones

Sediment layer thickness, kilometers

Figure 13 - Diagram of the Gulf of Guinea province showing the main fault zones, sedimentary layer thicknesses and the boundary between the oceanic and continental crust. Updated by Emeryand Uchupi (1984), MacGregor and others (2003)

Figure 4

General stratigraphic column showing the age of deposits, major geological events, lithology and source rocks, and tectonic stages of the Rio Muni, Equatorial Guinea, West Africa basins

Figure 5

General geological section showing the occurrence of possible source rocks in the Rio Muni, Equatorial Guinea, and West Africa basins. Formation names and lithologies are shown in Figure 10 for reef formations. Modified from Ministry of Mines and Energy of Equatorial Guinea (2003). The location of the cut is shown with red lines on the index map. The horizontal scale is generalized; not given.

CHAPTER 3. EXPLORATION AND OIL AND GAS POTENTIAL EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Hydrocarbon system

Pool Rio muni contains a thick prospective sequence of Senonian deposits, overlain by Tertiary sediments, the thickness of which increases from south to north. Intervals of reservoir rocks with good reservoir properties have been proven in both Tertiary and Cretaceous sediments, but industrial productivity has so far been established only in the Cretaceous complex of sediments. In Block G, turbidite deep-sea sediments of Campanian age act as reservoirs for hydrocarbons migrating from the Middle Albian source rocks, while the seals are Maastrichtian mudstones and the rift unconformity surface on which they transgressively lie along

3.1 BlockJand N water areaEquatorial Guinea

General information

Block J is located within the outer pool area delta niger(Niger River delta), west of Bioko (Bioko). To the north of this block, giant deposits of safiro and alba have been discovered (Zafiro,Alba) To the west of the block boundaries are the Fortuna and Lykos gas fields. (Fortuna, Lykos) , recently opened by the company Ophir on Block R (see Fig. 1). The area of the block is 1305 sq. m. km. The license was obtained by the company Atlas(100% equity participation under PSA terms) in 2000. During several extensions of the original period of geological study, prospecting and exploration, permits for which were obtained from the relevant regulatory authorities, Atlas fulfilled their obligations under the work program.

Fig. 1 - Overview map of the location of Block J and nearby oil fields (green) and gas (red) in the territorial waters of Equatorial Guinea

Knowledge

CDP 2D seismic exploration work on the territory of this block was carried out in 2002 in the amount of 1084 linear meters. km. The results obtained helped identify several potentially promising objects associated with significant amplitude anomalies. To prepare these objects for prospecting by deep drilling, detailed seismic survey work was required. In 2008 TGS Nopec And BGP under contract with Atlas worked 865 sq. Km of seismic data in the western part of the block. The obtained data were processed using the method PSTM(temporary migration before summation) by the company Geotrace. Also by the company Weinman Geoscience(Dallas) special studies were carried out to process the results obtained, including DUO analysis, to obtain more complete information on the structures identified and prepared for drilling. In the area of promising objects covered with 3D seismic data, the water depth is 750 - 1500 m. Positive results of seismic exploration allowed the company Atlas begin the second period of geological study of this block. The second period obligations include drilling one exploratory well.

Rice. 2 - Examples of amplitude anomalies in seismic data on Block J, presumably associated with the presence of hydrocarbons (time section along the meridional cross-line)

Block H is located in the north of the offshore part of the basin Rio Mooney. Oil fields have been discovered to the south of this block Venus, Okite Complex, Ceiba.(see Fig. 1). The area of the block is 991 sq. m. km. The license was obtained by the company Atlas(100% equity participation under PSA terms) in 1999-2000. In 2004, with the participation of an Australian company Roc Oil Seismic exploration work was carried out by MOP "ZD" in the amount of 1403 sq. km and one well was drilled (Bravo-1, depth 3200 m). Drilling results revealed the presence of good reservoirs in the Oligocene-Miocene tertiary sediments, but they turned out to be isolated from the underlying Cretaceous hydrocarbon system. In the fourth quarter of 2015, it is planned to drill a second well on the block (Aleta-1, design depth 5000 m, water depth 1240 m, forecast resource base more than 500 million barrels. oil, probability of geological success 33%). The estimated costs for the “dry hole” option are USD 75-85 million with a planned drilling duration of 50 calendar days. Currently, the entire territory of the block is covered by 3D seismic data (exploration ~2.8 km 2 / km 2).

Well S-3, located in block S(Fig.2.) , is located in the deep-sea Rio Muni basin in Equatorial Guinea with coordinates: 1°-2° north latitude and 8°-10° east longitude. Area is 1.369 km 2 , depth from 30 to 1900 m.

Fig. 2. Well S-3, located in block “S”

The block belongs to the tectonic structure G-13, located among salt domes with coordinates: 1° 18" 11.293" North latitude and 9° 3" 57.471" East longitude, S-3 is located approximately 1.71 km southwest of the Hess well 13-2 G and approximately 274 km southeast of Puerto K5 Malabo(Fig. 3.).

Rice. 3. Geographical location of well S-3

Table 1. Geological age of rocks at different depths of well S-3.

*Age of breeds*	*Depth* *(m)*
Quaternary
Neogene	1.932,25
Paleogene	2.482,25
Maachtrichtian-Campanian	2.977,25
Santonsky	3.302,25
Cognac	3.6476,78
Total depth

Rice. 4 Interpretation of seismic studies of well S-3

CHAPTER 4.OIL AND GAS OF CENTRAL AND WEST AFRICA THE BASIC FRAMEWORK FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW AND OLD WORLD COUNTRIES

Gas is the basis for the economic development of the countries of the new and old world. Central and Western Africa in general and the Gulf of Guinea in particular, in recent years have become one of the areas of special geo-strategic policy to ensure energy security in the consumption of hydrocarbons in many countries of the world. Among the reasons are: 1) excellent quality of African oils (30-40 ° API 2 and low sulfur), 2) high potential of the new gas production industry, 3) (current large oil reserves (4.3 per 100 of the global total in 2009) and gas, 4) safety and simplicity - work at sea, 5) proximity to Western markets without any narrow geographical or other transit restrictions, 6) significance as a center for global production of liquefied natural gas (LNG), 7) - increase in the commissioning of production capacity times (one 27.7 100 during the last decade) and 8) relative security and political stability in the area. These factors have significantly increased the volume of foreign investment, which is expected to increase further in the 21st century to maintain funding for new discoveries.

Spain, the Gulf of Guinea is strategic, due to its geographical proximity, (boat travel is about 33,100 below the Persian Gulf) 3; being a major supplier of LNG, to be the second region to increase its market share - the market as an oil supplier in the past decade, and its contribution to the diversification of traditional supply sources Americas, North Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

The Gulf of Guinea is home to 4.4 100 of the world's oil reserves (Map 1 and Table 1 summary figures), representing 46 100 of Africa's total oil reserves. It produces 4.8 million barrels per day, representing 6.1 100 World Production, 50 100 African, and equivalent to 19.9 100 Eastern Production Average. In addition, the Gulf of Guinea region has had a greater increase in oil production in the last decade (100 +32.4) as Figure 1 samples against an increase of 6.9 100 in global production, although it follows being the second-to-last production region after Asia-Pacific.

For gas (LNG), the only producers in the Gulf of Guinea are Angola and Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria much less measuring Equatorial Guinea (one liquefaction train fraction), although there are several projects in various stages of pregnancy to include more country producing countries and increase capacity existing. In an environment where natural gas has been established as one of the energy sources further, the Gulf of Guinea is already one of the main poles of global LNG production along Qatar, Malaysia, Indonesia, even if a significant percentage of natural gas has not taken advantage. The region has great potential for future growth (more than 100 years of reserves in some countries), much higher than other areas in the world.

As oil exports (Map 1) a significant portion goes to the US (42,100, Energy Review According to BP) due to the presence of a majority of US oil companies in the region. In the Asia-Pacific region there is 27.7\100, which absorbs China's 17,100 total becoming the second largest buyer of oil I read. For China, the Gulf of Guinea, in addition to being a supplier of raw materials, is the most important market for government orders and confrontation in general. Europe is intended for 21.6 100, in South America And Central America 6.5 100 and low 1.9 100 re-absorbed Africa.

Although Spanish hydrocarbon imports fell given the unfavorable economic environment, environmental ones from Africa in 2010 amounted to almost 40,100 of total number, 40.7 of which 100 came from the Gulf of Guinea 4. Imports from the region represented - They sat 13.6 100 of the world total. while the remaining hydrocarbons produced by the ROS regions lose weight in total, the region's imports become larger.

The observed increase in weight, which won the Gulf of Guinea as a supplier of oil to Spain in the period 1999-2010, with the second largest increase in Europe increased to participate in the same period by 34.4 per 100, due to do to increase imports from Ukraine. (1532 per 100), Russia (58.3 per 100), and Norway (99.8 per 100) - I overtake America as the fourth supplier region. In the future, it is likely that this progression will continue if new discoveries are made in the area and the weight of the Maghreb region continues to fall, as in the period under review.

Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea has become, in just over 10 years, one of the great powers of regional hydrocarbon production and processing, the result of a boom and unprecedented economic transformation sociological research and all over the world. Thus, and due to the importance of Spain for being a former colony, it is as discussed in this article.

Despite the country being far from large producers such as Russia (ten million barrels), ranked thirty-sixth in the ranking of oil producers in 2009. This is, however, a relative figure: in the same year it was the 3rd sub-Saharan oil producer, the second LNG producer that continent (and one of three in the Atlantic basin along with Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago), as well as a producer of liquefied petroleum gas ( hereinafter, LPG) and methanol

2009, according to the Equatorial Guinean government, more than 35,000 million US dollars, reaching a peak of investment flow in 2006, with more than 6,000 million US dollars. Officials said that one of the largest issuers, the US, is worth $17,000 million in cumulative investment flows from 1999 to 2006, reaching an asset value of $22,000 million in 2007.

In terms of its impact on public finances, according to the latest IMF data, the hydrocarbons sector (upstream and downstream) represents more than 90,100 government revenues and about 98,100 export earnings, with the contribution of the refining sector especially increasing, adding a gross national value of 7.1 to 13.2 per 100 domestic production from 2006 to 2009 in nominal terms and in light existing projects This weight is likely to increase in the coming years.

Domestic production is only un0.4 times 100 in the world, but on a per capita basis is the highest in the world (almost half per barrel per person per day), ahead of major producers such as Saudi Arabia and Oman, a consequence of the small size of the country (between 700,000 and 1 million people, the land area is only 28,000 km 2).

Current situation

The Republic produced in 2010 a total of 296,000 barrels per day (bpd) through 4 production areas (Zafiro, Alba, Ceiba and Okoume) into two separate basins (Niger Delta, and Rio Muni): 244 kb/d of crude oil (Brent equivalent, 134 kb/d in the Zafiro field, 80 kb/d in the Okoume field, and 30 kb/d in the Ceiba field), and 52 kb/d of condensate in the Alba field provided, according to government sources .

Zafiro field. Located in Block B northwest of Bioko, with Nigerian waters, in the Niger Delta basin. Managed by ExxonMobil (71.25 per 100) and participated by GEPetrol (28.75 per 100). Commenced production in 1996, and was considered at the time to be the first deepwater oil field in West Africa, 5. Devon Energy was part of the consortium until January 2008, when it sold its assets to GEPetrol for 2,200 million.

Okume and Ceiba fields On the coast of the mainland, Rio Muni basin. Managed by Hess (80.75 per 100), with participation from Tullow (14.25 per 100), and GEPetrol (5 per 100).

Ceiba is a country consisting of 10 wells for production and others dedicated to injection.

The Okoume complex occupies four oil fields (Okoume, Ebony, Oveng and Elon), known as the north G block (offshore mainland).

Alba field. And 25 km off the northwestern coast of Bioko Island, in the Niger Delta basin, 76 feet deep, and was discovered by the Spanish company Hispanoil in the eighties, now part of Repsol. This field is related to the production of gas and gas condensate oil, with recoverable gas reserves estimated at 125 billion cubic meters of gas (BCM), equivalent to the production of a liquefaction train over 25 years) and 400 million barrels of condensates. Marathon Oil is the operator with 63.3 per 100, along with Noble Energy, and 33.7 per 100 100 GEPetrol 3 percent. Regarding the production of gas and gas condensate from the Alba current field of 870 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMcf/d) and 52 kb/d condensate, with four feed-crossing projects, described cough in the next section.

As for the evolution of production, from its timid beginnings in 1992, has increased dramatically since 1995 (BP always agree), going to 7 kb/d this year, to 376 kb/d in 2005, recording production. Since then, production has remained at these levels, falling from 2009 to 307 kb/d in 2010 above 244 kb/d. Current proven reserves in 2009 are 1,700 million barrels, equivalent to 15.2 years at current production rates.

This oil production, according to the American Energy Agency (EIA), in 2009 was allocated to the United States about 28,100 of the total, Spain 22,100, China un16,100, France 9 per 100, Italy 7 per 100, Taiwan and 6 per 100 , targeting the 12,100 remaining in other markets. The figure, of course, changes from year to year depending on the conditions of supply and demand in each of the areas that make up the world oil market.

Current situation

In this area there is an entire industrial complex in Punta Europa, Malabo, with 4 processing plants for hydrocarbon derivatives Alba PSC condensate processing plant oil, Alba CIS plants, AMPCO methanol plant; and EG - natural gas liquefaction train.

First, the Alba PSC processing plant began operations in July 1991, processing approximately 52 kb/d of condensate and 870 MMcf/d of gas from the Alba field, serving as the mother plant for the other three mentioned.

Secondly, the Alba GPP plant began operations in 1997 and currently produces 13 kb/d of propane, 7 kb/d of butane and 6 kb/d of condensate. It is owned by American multinational corporations Marathon Oil Company (40 to 100), Noble Energy (40 to 100) and Guinean Society Sonagas (20 to 100).

Third, AMPCO (Atlantic Methanol Production Company) is a plant with a methanol production capacity of 1 million tons (MT), which is equivalent to approximately 3 per 100 methanol consumed in the world. It is owned by American multinational corporations Marathon Oil Company, Noble Energy and Sonagas Guinea Society.

Finally, fourthly, E.G. LNG is the first liquefaction train company in the country, capable of supplying approximately 4.5 billion cubic meters (equivalent to approximately 3.4 million tons per year), equivalent to approximately 10,100 current Spanish natural gas consumption. It is owned by American multinational corporations Marathon Oil Company (60 per 100), Guinean Society Sonagas (25,100), and Mitsui (8.5 per 100) and Marubeni (6.5 per 100) Japanese.

Since its construction since 2007, Equatorial Guinea has become the third largest LNG producer in the Atlantic Basin, after Trinidad and Tobago and Nigeria, and has been successful in terms of speed of construction. British Gas Marketing Ltd (BGGM), a subsidiary of the British BG group, has a long-term purchase contract for gauze, which in 2009 sold mainly to Asia (89 per 100 by volume), highlighting Japan (40,100) and Korea (36,100) , and the rest in Chile, Portugal and France.

Downstream

In this area, the country imports 100 100 refined petroleum needs, because it actually has a refinery. Basically there are two suppliers of these products, a common branch of the local petroleum company GEPetrol. Finally, the company is responsible for supplying GEOGAM LPG for domestic needs.

The Equatorial Guinea government has announced several projects in recent years: a new gas turbine power plant in Malabo (under construction) and the proposed construction of a combined cycle plant (CCGT) plant for export, the construction of an oil refinery with a capacity of 20 kb/d, and the construction of a petrochemical industry.

There are several projects to use gas to produce electricity.

First, the construction of a 120 MW gas turbine power station at Punta Europa, near Malabo, will clearly meet the energy consumption needs of the island over the next few years. This expands the existing center, which 28 MW is insufficient to meet the needs of current electricity demand.

Secondly, it is possible to build a combined cycle of 400 MW of capacity, export vocation by Cameroon and Nigeria, in the immediate vicinity of Punta Europa or Banei (Bioko).

The latter project will be closely linked to the achievement of regional gas reserves and therefore the 3G project described above, which is key to the concept of mutual dependence between the exporting country, selling surplus unused gas and after purchasing electrical energy produced from the above. In Equatorial Guinea authorities protect the profitability of the project (with a return on capital close to 22,100) and demand (excess demand in the electricity market in the region is estimated at tens of gigawatts), it must turn to other similar industrialization projects of generation value based on gas in both Nigeria and Cameroon (Kribi region).

Secondly, the design is provided by a refinery south of the mainland, in Mbini city, with a capacity of 20,000 barrels/day to produce gasoline, diesel, Jet A-1 fuel oil, lubricants and asphalt, in order to clearly cover domestic needs and exports to neighboring countries. The estimated cost of the project is about 300 million euros, the state budget for 2010 plans a multi-year budget for the project with, it is not excluded, looking for financial partners. At the time of writing, the American engineering company KBR is working on the previous engineering study and on which we will proceed to an international tender.

The reason why the project is completely dependent on the end is that the country is forced to import refined, and the truth is that it is the only country in the region that does not have a plant. According to a 2009 World Bank refinery report, refining capacity from Central and West Africa is expected to increase from 200,000 to 400,000 barrels/day, depending on the economic situation that would support the economic viability of the project.

Finally, thirdly, there are plans to establish a petrochemical industry on Bioko Island. However, in the research phase, including 28,000 tons/year of methanol, how the raw material will be used and a maximum capacity of 65,000 tons/year is calculated. These applications take advantage of many different derivatives of methanol and methylamine or formaldehyde. The economic logic of the project, which also contributes to the industrialization of the country, is based on easy access to domestic methanol production and access to an expanding global market whose demand is estimated to increase from 14 million tons per year today to 19 million tons in 2020.

CHAPTER 5. PROSPECTS FOR OIL AND GAS CONTAINMENT IN THE BLOCK

Several potentially promising oil and gas complexes are identified on the block. Available geological and geophysical data indicate the possible presence of gas deposits in natural reservoirs of the Miocene and later "1" ages, confined to

structural and stratigraphic traps, by analogy with objects prepared for exploratory drilling by the company Ophir in 2008. According to published data, gas reserves confined to a stratigraphic trap of Middle Miocene age in the field Fortuna, amount to more than 2 trillion cubic meters. ft of gas 66.67 billion cubic meters. m). Field Lykos confined to a multi-layer trap of predominantly structural type, while several more similar, presumably gas, objects are identified in the immediate vicinity, the total volume of reserves of which can be comparable to a gas field

Fortuna. Also within Block J, productivity of deeper target objects of Middle Miocene age is assumed, by analogy with the proven primary target horizons of the field Alba.

The identified objects are distinguished by well-defined anomalies. The maximum mapped area of one of these objects (green in Fig. 3) is 100 square meters. km, within which several separate structural uplifts are distinguished. The projected resource base of this facility may be 100-200 million barrels. in case of filling with oil and up to 700 billion cubic meters. ft. if filled with gas.

Rice. 3 - Promising objects mapped based on the results of a special processing and interpretation of 3D seismic data on Block J

Rice. 2 - Combined contours of identified and prepared structures in the interval of Early Sonian deposits (in the inset on the left is a structural map of the field Paloma)

In the section of potentially promising Senonian deposits, several structural and stratigraphic traps (in the Upper Cretaceous interval) were identified and mapped. Based on the features of the geological structure, the proposed productive complexes are likely similar to the proven complexes of open deposits within Block G (70 km to the south along the strike of this structural element), the reserves of which exceed 500 million barrels. oil. Stratified sand bodies of Santonian-Turonian age pinch out with unconformable transgressive occurrence on the pre-rift upland located to the east.

The design depth of the vertical well for exploration of this object by drilling is ~ 5000 m (3760 m from the seabed or mud boundary). The presence of a proven oil source strata of Middle Albian age is confirmed by the characteristic features of the wave field, in addition, positive amplitude anomalies according to the data

AVO analysis reduces the geological risks of the prepared structure. The prospective resources of each individual sand body amount to 166 million barrels. oil, which together for four such bodies gives an average of 542 million barrels. oil, with a maximum estimate of the resource base

at 1.3 billion barrels oil. In addition, the sediments that make up the arched rise may also be potentially productive. Amigo(by analogy with La Ceiba) and enclosed in stratigraphic traps by uprising of strata (Paloma) and along the dip (Channel complex complex) similar to c (Ebano).

NobleEnergy has made a new discovery in block "I" offshore Equatorial Guinea. Well "I -1", while undertaking the prospect determination of the field, Benite encountered an extremely high quality Miocene reservoir container containing 135 feet (41.5 meters) of net hydrocarbon pay. Plant testing from well resulted in a flow rate of 1,038 barrels per day of condensate and 34.3 million cubic feet per day of natural gas, or approximately 6,755 barrels of oil equivalent per day (based on natural gas to allow an oil conversion ratio of 6 to 1) , With production rates, limited test facilities. "I -1" also, located in 2,880 feet (886 meters) of water and approximately 25 miles (40 kilometers) east of Bioko Island, was drilled to a depth of 10,460 feet (3,218 meters) in total. It is approximately 13 miles (21 kilometers) south of the Belinda discovery, located in Block "O", which was announced in late 2005. With the installation of cooling and processing, the condensate output can be increased. As expected, the reservoir section at the Benite discovery site is significantly thicker than at Belinda, which is also Miocene in age.

Additional work evaluation will be necessary to verify the area at Benite's single opening. Any evaluation of the work will follow the drilling of an additional exploration well on block "I". The company is currently conducting a multi-well designed exploration program to test a number of prospects in the region. The Songa Saturn drilling will be next to return to Block "O" where it will drill the Belinda appraisal well located approximately 4.5 miles (7.25 kilometers) from the "O-1" discovery well. Current plans to return to Block "I" in third quarter of 2007 prior to the drilling of the second exploration well. NobleEnergy is the technical operator of block "I" with a 40 percent equity participation. Its partners in the block include AtlasPetroleumInternationalLimited (54 percent equity participation), which is the administrative Operator and OsborneResourcesLimited, a company within the Organization Group PAResources (six percent equity participation) GEPetrol (national oil company of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea) has a five percent carried interest of eleven commercialism has already been determined.

Charles D. Davidson, NobleEnergy Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Dealer Benita is the first hole ever drilled in Block I and complements our discovery of Belinda in Block O." More drilling is still needed to fully understand Our resource potential in the area, we are excited about this new discovery and the potential commercial aspects of both blocks. We now have two wells drilled with three discoveries as we continue with our drilling program in West Africa. Our next is good, Belinda's assessment is good, will begin later this month." The Minister of Mines, Industry and Energy, H. E. Atanasio Ela NtuguNsa said that "the Government of Equatorial Guinea is pleased that there was another discovery made in the Equatorial Guinea part of the Douala Basin. The Government believes that this The new discovery of further significant hydrocarbons CONFIRMS the potential of the Douala Basin and highlights what a positive investment climate currently exists in the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

CONCLUSIONS AND OFFERS

The formation of the oil and gas basin on the continental margins of central West Africa and Southeast Brazil followed a general scenario against the backdrop of the opening of the southern segment Atlantic Ocean A. In its geological evolution, three main stages are distinguished: rift (Early Cretaceous), early spreading (Late Cretaceous) and mature spreading (Cenozoic-Holocene), during which characteristic sedimentary complexes accumulated on the passive continental margins. Each complex contains high-quality oil and gas source and reservoir strata that have undergone a wide range of catagenetic transformations.

In the emerging shelf-slope basins, a significant similarity in structural styles, lithostratigraphy and age range of the oil and gas bearing level has been established. The study of the biomarker composition of oils showed that they belong to three geochemical groups with biomarkers of lacustrine, marine and deltaic origin. The fourth group reflects the participation of two or three mixed maternal sources. Oils of these groups have been identified in the basins of both the African and Brazilian margins of the Atlantic.

Some differences in the structure of the basins are due to local features of the manifestation of halokinesis and the different times of progradation. Both processes, especially intensified at the final stage of the formation of the basins, determined their structural style, significantly improving and promoting favorable conditions for oil and gas formation and oil and gas accumulation toward the ocean. Many discoveries of large and giant deposits are confined to deep water and are associated with the continental slope.

The revealed patterns of formation of large hydrocarbon accumulations in the South Atlantic basins can be used for other regions, in particular for the Arctic basins. According to the presentation of V.E. Khain and N.I. Filatova (2007, 2009), under the influence of the African-Arctic superplume in unified system The formation of the Arctic Ocean took place with the Atlantic, which is the northernmost end of this system. The presence of a relatively steep gradient of the continental slope of the passive Arctic margins, by analogy with the Atlantic, gives grounds for a high assessment of its prospects, confirmed by the development of fans with channels and canyons clearly visible in satellite images. The latter, periodically renewed at the steep steps of the slope, are filled with sand bodies that can serve as oil and gas reservoirs [Khain, Polyakova, 2006]. Particularly significant prospects are expected on the continental slope of the Canadian Basin, located close to the coast, where large masses of sedimentary material are widespread.

LIST OF REFERENCES USED

Zabanbark A., Konyukhov A.I. Prospects for oil and gas content of continental slopes in the World Ocean: tectonic aspect // Geotectonics. - 2005. - No. 1. - pp. 99-106.

Lisitsyn A.P. Sedimentary processes and mineral resources continental slopes The World Ocean // Current problems of oceanology. M.: Nauka, 2003. - pp. 82-152.

Panaev V.A. On the prospects for oil and gas potential in the deep waters of the World Ocean // Bulletin. MOIP. Dept. geol. - 2002. - T. 77. - Issue. 6. - pp. 34-48.

Khain V.E. Tectonics of continents and oceans (year 2000). M.: Scientific. Mir, 2001. - 606 p.

Khain V.E., Filatova N.I., Polyakova I.D. Tectonics, geodynamics and oil and gas prospects of the East Arctic seas and their continental frame. - M.: Nauka, 2009. - 227 p.

Khain V.E., Polyakova I.D. Large and giant hydrocarbon accumulations in the continent-ocean transition zone // Geotectonics. - 2008. - No. 3. - P. 3-17.

Khain V.E., Filatova N.I. Superplume episodes of the East Arctic-Asian region and their correlation with similar events in other regions of the Earth // Dokl. RAS. - 2007. - T.415. -No. 4. - P. 518-523.

Khain V.E., Polyakova I.D. The deep-sea margin of the Eastern Arctic is a promising object for oil and gas exploration. Dokl. RAS. - 2006. - T.410. - No. 2. - P. 234-238.

Khain V.E., Polyakova I.D. Oil and gas potential of deep-water and ultra-deep-water zones of continental margins // Lithology and minerals. - 2004. - No. 6. - P. 610-612.

A Ives T.M., Cartwright J., Davies R.J. Faulting of salt-withdrawal basins during early halokinesis: effect on Paleogene Rio Doce Canyon system (Esperito Santo basin, Brazil) //AAPG Bull. 2009. V. 93. - No. 5. - P. 617-652.

Beasley C.J., Fiduk J.C., Bize E, Boyd A., Fiydman M, Zerilli A., Dribus J.R.,

Moreira J.L.P., Pinto A.C.C. Brazil's presalt play //Oilfield Review. - 2010. - V. 22. - No. 3. - P. 28-37.

Borsato R„ Jones W., Greenhalgh J., Martin M„ Roberson R., Fontes C„ MarkwickQuallington A. South Atlantic conjugate margin: an exploration strategy // First break. - 2012. - V. 30. - P. 79-84.

Brownfield M.E., Charpenter R.R. Geology and total petroleum systems of the West-Central Coastal Province (7203). West Africa // U.S. Geological Survey Bull. - 2006. - 2207-B. 52.

Cameron, N.R., Bate, R.H., and Clure, V.S. The oil and gas habitats of the South Atlantic // London: Geological Society. 1999. Special Publication 153. - 474 p.

Cobbold P.R., Chiossi D., Green P.F., Japsen P., Bonow J. Compressional reactivation, Atlantic margin of Brazil: structural styles and consequences for hydrocarbon exploration // Search and Discovery article # 30114. 2010. AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Cobbold P.R., Meisling K.E., Mount V.S. Reactivation of an obliquely rifted margin, Campos and Santos basins, southeastern Brazil//AAPG Bull. - 2001. - V. 85. - No. 11. - P. 1925-1944.

Devison/. Geology and tectonics of the South Atlantic Brazilian salt basins // London: Geological Society. 2007. Special Publication. 272. - P. 345-359.

Kolla V., Bourges Ph., Urruty J.-M., Safa P. Evolution of deep-water Tertiary sinuous channels offshore Angola (west Africa) and implications for reservoir architecture // AAPG Bull. - 2001. -Vol.85.- No. 8. -P. 1373-1405.

Lafond C., Jones IF., Bridson M„ Houllevigue #., and Kerdraon Y. Imaging Deepwater Salt Bodies in West Africa // Leading Edge. - 2003. - V. 22. - No. 9. - P. 893-896.

Meisling K.E., Cobbold P.R., Mount V.S. Sedimentation of an obliquely rifted margin, Campos and Santos basins, southeastern Brazil // AAPG Bull. - 2001. - V. 85. - No. 11. - P. 1903-1924.

Mello M.R., Telnaes N.. Gaglianone P.C., Chicarelli M.I., Brassell S.S., Maxwell J.R. Organic geochemical characterization of depositional palaeoenvironments of source rocks and oils in Brazilian marginal basins // Org. Geochem. - 1988. - V. 13. - No. 1. - P. 31 -45.

Mello M.R., Katz B.J. Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins // AAPG. 2000. Memoir 73.-451 p.

Modica C.J., Brush E.R. Postrift sequence stratigraphy, paleogeography, and fill history of the deep-watter Santos Basin, offshore southeast Brazil // AAPG Bull. - 2004. - V.88. - No. 7. - P. 923-945.

Schiefelbein, C.F., Zumberge, J.E., Cameron, N.R., Brown, S.W. Geochemical comparison of crude oil along the South Atlantic margin, in Mello, M. R., and Katz, B. J., eds. Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins // AAPG. 2000. Memoir 73. - P. 15-26.

Schoellkopf N.B. Patterson B.A. Petroleum systems of offshore Cabinda, Angola, in Mello, M.R., and Katz, B.J. eds., Petroleum systems of South Atlantic margins // AAPG. 2000. Memoir 73. - P. 361-376.

Tissot, V., Demaison G., Masson P., Delteil J.R. Combaz, A. Paleoenvironment and petroleum potential of middle Cretaceous black shales in Atlantic basins // AAPG. 1980. Bull. - V. 64. - No. 12. - P. 2051-2063.

Wilson M. Magmatism and continental rifting during the opening of the South Atlantic Ocean: A consequence of Lower Cretaceous super-plume activity? // London: Geological Society. 1992. Special Publication. 68. - P. 241-255.

Zumberge J.E., Russell J.A., Reid S.A. Charging of Elk Hills reservoirs as determined by oil geochemistry // AAPG. 2005. Bull. - V. 89. - No. 10. - P. 1347-1371.

Posted on Allbest.ru

general information

Location: West Africa.
Administrative division: 8 provinces (Boke, Conakry, Farana, Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Mamou and Nzerekore), 33 prefectures.

Capital: Conakry - 1,886,000 people. (2014).

Large cities: Kankan - 472,112 people. (2014), Nzerekore - 280,256 people. (2012), Kindia - 181,126 people. (2008), Farana - 119,159 people. (2013), Labe - 107,695 people. (2007), Mamu - 88,203 people. (2013), Boke - 81,116 people. (2007).

Languages: French (official), national (Fula, Mandinka, Susu, Baga, Basari).
Ethnic composition: Fulbe - 40%, Malinka - 26%, Susu - 11%, others - 23%, in total more than 20 ethnic groups (2013).
Religions: Islam - 85%, Christianity (Catholicism, Evangelicalism) - 8%, animism - 7% (2013).
Currency unit: Guinean franc.
Large rivers: the sources of the Niger and Gambia, as well as Bafing, Kogon, Konkure, Tomine, Fatala, Forekarya.

Airport: Gbessia International Airport (Conakry).

Neighboring countries and waters: in the northwest - Guinea-Bissau, in the north - Senegal, in the north and northeast - Mali, in the east - Ivory Coast, in the south - Liberia and Sierra Leone, in the west - the Atlantic Ocean.

Numbers

Area: 245,857 km2.

Population: 11,474,383 people (2014).
Population density: 46.7 people/km 2 .
Employed in agriculture: 76% (2014).

Below poverty level: 47% (2006).
Length of land border: 4046 km.

Length of coastline: 320 km.

Highest point: Mount Richard-Molar (Nimba Mountains, 1752 m).

Climate and weather

Equatorial, humid and hot.

Seasons: monsoons - June-November, dry - December-May.
Average annual temperature: on the coast +27°С, in the center (Fouta Djallon plateau) +20°С, in upper Guinea +21°С.

Average annual precipitation: Atlantic coast - 4300 mm, inland - 1300 mm.

Relative humidity: 80-85%.
Harmattan dusty wind(West African trade wind).

Economy

GDP: $15.31 billion (2014), per capita - $1300 (2014).
Minerals: bauxite, diamonds, iron, uranium, cobalt, manganese, copper, nickel, pyrite, platinum, lead, titanium, chromium, zinc, rock salt, granite, graphite, limestone.
Industry: metalworking, food (fish canning), chemical, textile, woodworking, cement.
Seaports: Conakry, Kamsar, Benti.

Agriculture: crop production (rice, corn, millet, sorghum, cassava, peanuts, bananas, coffee, pineapples, apples, citrus fruits, strawberries, mango, papaya, avocado, guava, cinchona), livestock (semi-nomadic, small livestock).

Marine fishing(mullet, mackerel, stingray, sardinella).

Traditional crafts: wood (red and black) and bone carving, straw weaving (bags, fans, mats), weaving, ceramics, leather, metal and stone products, raffia fiber weaving, manufacturing musical instruments.

Service sector: tourism, transport, trade.

Attractions

■ Natural: Fouta Djallon plateau and Fouta Djallon National Park, Marie, Tinkiso and Bafara waterfalls, Fuyama rapids, Kakimbon caves, Ile de Los islands, upper reaches of the Niger and Gambia rivers, Nimba, Tange and Gangan mountains, Nimba Mountains nature reserve, Milo River, Tinkiso River Biosphere Reserve, Guinean Forest Savannah ecological region, Tombo Island.
■ Conakry city: Great (Great) Mosque (1982), Monument to the victims of November 22, 1970, Cathedral Sainte-Marie (1930s), 8 November Bridge, National Museum, Botanical Garden, Presidential Palace, Museum of National Arts, People's Palace, March Madina and Niger markets, 28 September Stadium, Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry.

Curious facts

■ In order not to confuse Guinea with Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea, the Republic of Guinea is sometimes called by its capital - Guinea-Conakry.
■ The name of the state of Guinea comes from the name of the large African geographical region of the same name, in the 14th century. appeared on European maps. Presumably this name comes from a modified Berber word "iguaven" (mute), which the Berbers called the black population of sub-Saharan Africa who did not understand their language.
■ In 1970, during the suppression of the struggle for independence of the Portuguese colony of Guinea-Bissau, which was supported by Guinea, the Portuguese army captured its capital for one day. The goal was the arrest of the rebel leadership and weapons depots, as well as the release of Portuguese prisoners of war and the overthrow of Guinean President Ahmed Sékou Touré. The Portuguese plan was partially successful: they failed to overthrow the regime of Sekou Toure. This episode remains the only example in modern history when the regular army of a European state captured the capital of an independent African country, even if only for one day.
■ The Guinean Fouta Djallon plateau has received the nickname “water pumping station of West Africa” among geographers: the largest rivers in the region, the Gambia and Senegal, begin here.
■ Travelers note the bright red or red-brown color of the soils of the savannas and forests of Guinea, rich in iron oxides.
■ Mount Richard-Molar is located directly on the border between Cote d'Ivoire and Guinea and is the highest peak of both countries at the same time.
■ Guinea malaguette pepper is actually a plant of the ginger family, whose unusually hot taste is combined with a sharp, pungent aroma, unique only to this pepper. From the 13th century Malaguette began to be used as an independent spice or as a substitute for black pepper in England, and later in Canada, the USA, and Australia.
By now, pepper has supplanted malaguette; now Guinea pepper is used only as a local spice in Central Africa and in the United States as a spice to flavor liqueurs, vinegar, and even English ale.

■ The Ile de Los archipelago is six islands off the Atlantic coast of Guinea. The islands began to be populated only at the beginning of the 20th century. At first the British moved here, and then, in exchange for giving up fishing in Newfoundland and Labrador, the French moved here.

bokeh is the largest in the world laterite bauxite deposit. Located 135 km from the Atlantic coast in the northwestern part of Guinea. The bauxite deposits of the deposit are confined to hilly hills (bovals), bordered by river valleys up to 100 m deep. Bauxite laterites were formed as a result of intense weathering of Paleozoic graptolite shales during the Paleogene-Neogene period in the conditions of a weakly dissected peneplain plain. The thickness of the lateritic weathering crust is 10–15 m. Bauxites come to the surface and, as a rule, are covered with ferruginous laterites (cuirass).
More than 100 bauxite deposits, elongated in the form of a zone of northeastern strike, 130 km long and 30-60 km wide, with an area of over 3500 square kilometers. Based on the conditions of formation and occurrence, as well as on the structural and textural features, two types of bauxite are noted at the deposit: eluvial and deluvial. Genetically and spatially, they are closely related to each other and transform into each other.
Eluvial bauxite are represented by dense stony ores with a massive, banded and slatey texture. They usually form the upper part of the lateritic weathering crust. In the lower part of the bauxite-bearing sequence, loose and earthy varieties of bauxite are sometimes found.
Diluvial bauxite are angular or slightly rounded fragments of eluvial bauxite ranging in size from a few to 15 cm, cemented by pelitic, siltstone or psammitic material formed due to the destruction of eluvial bauxite.

The main ore-forming minerals of bauxite are are gibbsite and hematite with admixtures in the upper parts of the deposit of boehmite (up to 10%) and kaolinite (2-3%) and titanium minerals. The color of bauxite is usually light pink, brown or reddish brown, and the texture is brecciated, conglomerate or porous. It is characterized by a high content of alumina (51-62%), low content of silica (1-2%), iron oxides (2-6%) and titanium (2-3%). With a cut-off alumina content of 50%, the total deposit reserves available for open-pit mining are about 3 billion tons.

V.V. Avdonin, V.E. Boytsov, V.M. Grigoriev and others. Deposits of metallic minerals, M, Academic project, 2005

GUINEA
The Republic of Guinea, a state in West Africa, has access to the Atlantic Ocean. It borders in the northwest with Guinea-Bissau, in the north with Senegal, in the north and east with Mali, in the southeast with Cote d'Ivoire, in the south with Liberia and Sierra Leone. Area 245.9 thousand sq. km, population - 7673 thousand people (1998).The capital is the city of Conakry (800 thousand inhabitants, 1996).Other large cities are Kankan, Kindia, Labe, Siguiri.

Guinea. The capital is Conakry. Population - 7673 thousand people (1998). Population density - 31 people per 1 sq. km. Urban population - 23%, rural - 77%. Area - 245.9 thousand square meters. km. The highest point is Mount Nimba (1752 m). The main languages are Fulani, Malinke, Susu, French (official). The main religions are Islam and local traditional beliefs. Administrative division - 8 provinces. Monetary unit: Guinean franc = 100 centimes. National holiday: Independence Day - October 2. National anthem: "Freedom".

At the end of the 19th century. Guinea was conquered by France and incorporated into French West Africa. After World War II, a massive national liberation movement, led by Sekou Toure, gained strength in Guinea. At a referendum on September 28, 1958 on the draft of a new French constitution, almost the entire population of Guinea supported the anti-colonial course. The Guineans rejected the idea of including the country into the French Community, choosing the path of complete independence from the mother country. On October 2, 1958, the independent Republic of Guinea was proclaimed. In response, France immediately cut off all ties with Guinea and recalled all French personnel from there. Independent Guinea, led by President Sékou Toure, who held this post until his death in 1984, was one of the radical African states that took the position of Pan-Africanism.
Nature. The territory of Guinea is divided into four physiographic regions. The first of them, located in the west of the country - Lower, or Maritime, Guinea - is a flat lowland up to 32 km wide, with heights less than 150 m above sea level. The swampy coastline is covered with mangroves; dense rocks come to the surface only in the Conakry region. Lower Guinea is a region of commodity-export agriculture. Mostly representatives of the Susu people live here. The rivers Kogon, Fatala and Konkure, cutting through the lowlands, originate in the deep valleys of the second region - Central Guinea. Here the Futa Djallon sandstone massif with peaks of 1200-1400 m crosses the country from north to south. The highest point of the plateau, located north of Labe, is Mount Tamge (1538 m). Central Guinea is characterized by a predominance of savannah landscapes, with mountain meadows in the highest places. The area is inhabited by the Fulani people. The predominant occupation of the population is animal husbandry. To the east of the Fouta Djallon massif, on the plains in the upper Niger River basin, is Upper Guinea. It is a savannah region inhabited primarily by Malinke farmers. Forest Guinea, located in the southeast of the country, occupies part of the North Guinea Upland with small tracts of remnant mountains. Here, near the border with Liberia in the Nimba Mountains, is the highest point of Guinea (1752 m). In this area, the background is savannah; in some areas, especially along river valleys, tropical forests have been preserved. Forest Guinea is home to many small ethnic groups who engage in farming. The climate of Guinea is characterized by a clear contrast between the wet season, which lasts from May to October (and on the coast - longer than on the plains of the northeast) and the dry season, when a hot wind blows from the northeast - the harmattan. With the exception of its northernmost part, the coastal lowland is reliably protected from dry winds by mountains. Moist southwesterly winds bring heavy rainfall, which falls on the western slopes of the mountains. The Conakry region has an average annual rainfall of 4,300 mm, of which 4,000 mm occurs during the wet season. Inland areas receive an average of 1,300 mm of precipitation per year. High temperatures prevail throughout the year, rarely falling below 15° C, and sometimes reaching 38° C. The Fouta Djallon massif is characterized by the highest population density, where the Fulani graze cattle, sheep and goats in the mountain meadows, and grow crops in the fertile valleys. various crops. Coffee, which is produced in Central and Upper Guinea, as well as bananas grown in the coastal lowlands and in the valleys near the railway, are of export importance. In a number of coastal areas, mangroves have been cleared for rice fields.
Population. There are many ethnic groups living in Guinea, the largest of which are peoples who speak the Mande (Malinke, Susu, etc.) and Fulani languages. The Fulani account for 35% of the population, the Malinka - 30% and the Susu - 13%. The rest: lom (tom), gerze, kisi, dialonke, etc. - together make up 22%. The local languages are so different that even Guineans living in neighboring areas cannot always understand each other. Official language- French, but not all residents of the country speak it (especially in rural areas). Malinke live in the interior regions of the country, mainly in the Niger River basin, Susu (presumably the most ancient inhabitants of the savannas) live on the coast, including the strip between Conakry and Kindia. The main occupation of the Mandean-speaking peoples, who make up approximately half of the country's population, is agriculture. The warlike Fulani pastoralists, who appeared in these places in the 16th century, inhabit mainly the central part of the country - the Futa Djallon massif. A number of small ethnic groups are found along the coast, on the western slopes of the Fouta Djallon plateau and in Forest Guinea. The old enmity between the Mande-speaking rural population and the conquering Fulani herders has not yet been eradicated, and has now taken the form of rivalry for political hegemony in the country. Approximately 90% of Guineans are Muslim. Most of the rest are adherents of local traditional beliefs and cults. Although the first Christian missions were founded in what is now Guinea in the 19th century, the number of Christians is small.
Political system. For more than a quarter of a century, Guinea was ruled by Sekou Touré. He led the Democratic Party of Guinea (PDG) and led the country to independence in October 1958 and served as its president until 1984. After the death of Sékou Touré, a group of military personnel led by Colonel Lansana Conte seized power in the country in April 1984. As a result, the constitution was suspended, The DPG, which ruled under one-party conditions, and the mass public organizations operating under the auspices of this party were dissolved. The Military Committee for National Revival took over the management of the country. The first constitution of free Guinea gave the president broad powers as the leader of the country and head of government. The President was elected in general elections for a term of 7 years. In 1972, the post of prime minister was approved, who was appointed by the president. The legislature, the National Assembly, had limited powers. All of its 210 deputies were elected from a single list of candidates. In accordance with the amendment to the constitution adopted in 1974, the congress of the Democratic Party of Germany was proclaimed the “highest state body.” The DPG sought to monopolize power in order to accelerate political, social and economic modernization in the country. The agent of change was to be a well-organized and disciplined party, cells of which were created in every village. Membership in local party, trade union, women's and youth organizations was almost mandatory. The top executive party body, the Politburo of the DPG, became the top of the power pyramid. Nevertheless, discontent grew in the country; in response, the authorities carried out a series of purges in the state apparatus and the army. In 1978, after mass unrest, during which several provincial governors were killed, measures were taken to restore public confidence in the DPG and the government. Regular conferences began to be held for activists of local trade unions, women's and youth organizations. At general elections, provincial governors and leaders of district party organizations, who were previously appointed by party bodies, began to be elected. In 1984, the military, led by Colonel L. Conte, came to power. In 1990, a new constitution was adopted, providing for the creation of a multi-party system. In 1993, L. Conte was elected president of the country. In 1997, Guinea's armed forces numbered approx. 9.7 thousand people. 9.2 thousand people served in the people's militia. The USSR and China provided great assistance in creating and equipping the Guinean army. In the field of foreign policy, independent Guinea officially proclaimed a policy of non-alignment. From 1958-1961 and from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, Guinea maintained closer relations with the USSR and other socialist countries than with neighboring African and Western countries. Under the pretext of France's participation in a conspiracy against the government of Guinea, Franco-Guinean diplomatic relations were interrupted in 1965. In the mid-1970s, Guinea strengthened its relations with countries in Africa, the Middle East and the West. In 1976, diplomatic relations with France were restored. Guinea is a member of the UN, the Organization of African Unity (OAU), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Serious threat economic development and the political stability of Guinea creates, especially in the last decade of the 20th century, a continuous flow of refugees from neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone, where civil wars continue.
Economy. Guinea is rich natural resources. The country has mineral reserves, large areas of fertile land, and rivers have great hydropower potential. Guinea has the world's largest bauxite deposits. The mining industry generates almost all of the government's export revenue. However, the main occupation of the population remains rural subsistence or small-scale farming. Industry is poorly developed, although its share in GDP is constantly growing. Many lucrative areas of economic activity in Guinea are under state control. Over the 15 years following independence, the government gradually eliminated private trade. Only state trade organizations functioned, and peasants were obliged to sell their products through a network of state stores. After riots swept the country in 1979, the government was forced to lift the ban on private trade. Large industrial enterprises, especially those working for export, remained state property.
Agriculture. About 80% of Guinea's population is employed in agriculture. The main crops are rice, cassava and corn, which also form the basis of the Guinean diet. Peasants raise cattle, sheep, goats and poultry. The country does not provide itself with food and is forced to import rice, sugar and dairy products. In the early 1980s, only 1/7 of the land suitable for cultivation was used; labor productivity remained low due to the backward material and technical base of agriculture and the lack of incentives for commercial farming. Guinea's main export crops - bananas, chocolate tree, oil palm, pineapples and peanuts - are grown primarily on plantations. After 1958, the collection and export of these crops declined significantly due to the departure of European specialists and the loss of French markets. In the early 1980s, production of agricultural export products (except bananas) remained low.
Mining industry. Bauxite deposits, unique in terms of reserves and quality of raw materials, have been discovered in Guinea: Boke, Togue, Fria, Quindia, Debele, etc. Guinea contains 2/3 of the world's bauxite reserves (20 billion tons), and this country is the second largest supplier of raw materials for aluminum industry to the world market (more than 12 million tons per year). In 1993, the share of mining products in the value of exports was approx. 86%, but in 1994-1995 it decreased to 78%. Most mineral deposits are developed through joint ventures between foreign consortiums and the Guinean government, which typically owns a 49% stake in such ventures. In the early 1980s, there were three bauxite mining enterprises in the country - in Quindia (wholly owned by the state), Fria (owned by the Frigia consortium) and Boke (owned by the mixed company Bauxite de Guiné). In 1995, total bauxite production amounted to 13.6 million tons. Since the second half of the 1980s, industrial gold mining has been carried out - up to 1 ton per year, which provides 20% of the value of exports. Explored reserves of gold in Upper Guinea alone amount to 500 tons. Guinea has considerable reserves of diamonds - more than 100 million carats. Diamond mining is carried out in the south of the country (200 thousand carats per year). Proven reserves of high-quality iron ore in the Nimba Mountains amount to approx. 12 billion tons (in 1997, production had not yet begun). Guinea also has reserves of uranium ore and copper.
Manufacturing industry. The industrial sector of the economy began to develop only after independence was won. In the early 1980s, the industrial sector contributed only 5% of national income. In 1995, 0.6% of the working population was employed in industry. A large plant in Fria smelts aluminum for export. Other industries are represented by enterprises in the food, textile, cement, and construction materials industries.
Transport. Of the 12.4 thousand km of roads, only 5 thousand km have a hard surface. Railways link Conakry with Cancan and Fria, as well as Boke and Kamsar. In 1997, a Slovak company received a contract to modernize the railway line between Conakry and Cancan. In 1996, the Iranian government announced its readiness to build a railway linking Conakry with the bauxite-rich Dabola-Tougeh region. Conakry's largest port has a natural deep-water harbour. In 1973, a new port was built in Kamsar.
Trade and investment. Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Guinea's trade balance was in deficit. However, since the mid-1970s, the trade balance has turned positive, mainly due to rising income from bauxite mining. In 1991 the situation returned to its previous state. In 1993, the value of imports amounted to $731 million, and exports - $665 million. If in 1993-1995 Guinea’s trade balance was deficit, then in 1996 it had a surplus of $111 million. The share of bauxite and alumina in exports revenues decreased from 65% in 1993 to 54% in 1995. Other exports: diamonds, gold, coffee, bananas, oil palm products, peanuts and pineapples. Guinea's main trading partners are France and other countries Western Europe and the USA.
Finance and banking. In 1960, Guinea left the French franc zone and the West African Monetary Union. Today it has its own currency, which is issued by the Central Bank. In October 1972, Guinea replaced the franc with a new currency, the sili, but in 1985 the franc was reintroduced into monetary circulation. The Central Bank of Guinea supervises financial institutions that engage in commercial banking activities. Guinea has a huge foreign debt and virtually no foreign exchange reserves.
Public education. For children aged 7 to 12 years schooling is free and mandatory. In 1993 approx. 46% of children of the corresponding age attended primary schools and approx. 12% - average. Almost a third of the students were girls. IN primary school the focus is on acquiring agricultural skills, in high school emphasis is on learning technical specialties. There are polytechnic institutes in Cankan and Conakry. Over the years of independence, the literacy level of the population has increased significantly. If in 1965 only 10% of adult Guineans could read and write, then in 1995 their share increased to approximately 35%.
Story. In the 10th-11th centuries. Most of the northeast of modern Guinea was part of the state of Ghana. The mines near Siguiri probably produced some of Ghana's gold, which was exchanged for salt and other goods from North Africa in the cities of the Sahel. In the 12th century The Ghana Empire collapsed, and in the 13th century. in its place arose the Mali Empire, created by the Malinke people. Islam spread widely among the nobility and townspeople. Until the beginning of the 16th century. Mali remained a powerful force in the region. Later, a significant part of the territory of Mali was captured by the Songhai Empire of Gao in the east and the state of Tekrur created by the Fulani in the west. In the middle of the 17th century. The Bambara of Segu overthrew the Malinke Emperor. By that time, the center of trade had moved to the coast, where there was intense competition between Portuguese, English and French slave traders. However, in this part of the West African coast the slave trade was less widespread than on the coasts of Nigeria, Dahomey and Senegal. After the official ban on the slave trade at the beginning of the 19th century. the coastal areas of modern Guinea continued to attract human traders, as the heavily rugged coastline provided safe hiding places for slave trading ships that were being hunted by British warships. In the middle of the 19th century. The slave trade was replaced by trade in peanuts, palm oil, hides and rubber. European traders settled in several trading posts and paid tribute to the leaders of the local tribes. Attempts by the leaders to increase the size of the tribute ended with France establishing its protectorate over the Boke region in 1849. At the beginning of the 18th century. A powerful Fulani state arose on the territory of the Futa Djallon plateau. Islam became his state religion, which then spread among the inhabitants of the coastal regions, many of whom paid tribute to the Fulani leaders. Further development of European trade and the creation of new strongholds on the coast in the mid-19th century. led to friction between the French and the Fulbe leaders, who in 1861 were persuaded to recognize the French protectorate over Boke. A few years earlier, Haj Omar, a militant religious reformer from eastern Senegal, had settled in Fouta Djallon. By 1848, his popularity among the local population had grown so much that it began to cause concern among the Fulani leaders. Hajj Omar was forced to move to Dingirai, where he declared jihad (holy war) in the territory of Western Sudan, especially the kingdoms of Segu and Masina. In 1864, in a battle with the soldiers of Masina, Haj Omar died, and his son Ahmad took his place. In 1881, he concluded an agreement with the French, according to which the territory along the left bank of the Niger up to Timbuktu came under French protectorate. Later, Ahmad tried to renounce this agreement, but in 1891-1893 he was removed from power by the French. The longest and most decisive resistance to the French colonialists was provided by Samory Toure. Malinka by ethnicity, he captured Kankan in 1879 and created a Muslim state southeast of Siguiri. In 1887 and 1890, the French concluded friendship treaties with Samori, but then denounced them, and hostilities resumed. In 1898, the French captured Samory Toure near Man in the west of modern Cote d'Ivoire and sent him into exile, where he died. The capture of Samory Toure marked the end of organized African resistance to the French invaders in the territory of modern Guinea, although spontaneous protests by Guineans did not stop until the beginning World War I. In 1895, Guinea was included in French West Africa, and in 1904, after the British transferred the Los Islands to the French, the borders of the colony were established. During French colonial rule, Guineans were deprived of basic political rights, paid a poll tax, and were mobilized for unpaid forced labor and military service. In 1946, France decided to create an elected territorial assembly in Guinea and gradually relaxed the property and educational qualifications for voting. In 1957, the entire adult population of the colony could participate in the elections, and the Government Council was created - a territorial executive body consisting of Guineans. The influence of the Democratic Party of Guinea (PDG), a mass political organization led by trade unionist Sékou Touré, grew rapidly. Thanks to the propaganda work of party activists, in 1958 almost the entire population of Guinea voted in a referendum against the new French constitution and for the country's exit from the French Community. As a result, on October 2, 1958, Guinea gained independence. The Guineans' choice in favor of independence resulted in the loss of French economic assistance and investment, a guaranteed market for export products and technical assistance qualified specialists. The urgent need for economic and technical assistance forced the new government to turn to the USSR and China for help, which led to Guinea's further isolation from France and its allies. In 1965, Guinea broke off diplomatic relations with France, accusing it of participating in a conspiracy to overthrow the Guinean government. By the end of the 1960s, Guinea had established relations with a number of Western states, which was largely due to the interest of the country's leadership in foreign investment. However, the nationalization of trade and the agricultural sector resulted in stagnation in all sectors of the Guinean economy, except for mining. Although Sékou Touré himself retained his authority among the population, the government's policy became increasingly unpopular, and many thousands of Guineans emigrated. In November 1970, Guinean emigrants who were in opposition to the Sékou Touré regime took part in an armed invasion of Guinean territory, which was organized with the support of Portugal. This action pursued two main goals: the overthrow of the government of Sékou Toure and the destruction of the bases of the partisans who fought for the liberation of Portuguese Guinea (now Guinea-Bissau). The rebels were quickly defeated. After the failed attempt at aggression, mass purges in the government apparatus and armed forces of Guinea. In August 1977, a wave of riots swept through the cities, during which several provincial governors appointed by the DPG were killed. After these events, the policy of the Guinean leadership changed dramatically. In the late 1970s, political repression eased, the masses were able to participate in public life, and private trade was allowed. Guinea's relations with neighboring African states and Western countries have improved. In 1976, diplomatic relations with France were restored. Sekou Toure died on March 26, 1984, and already on April 3, 1984, a group of military personnel led by Colonel Lansana Conte carried out a bloodless coup. The military authorities dissolved the DPG and released all political prisoners. The economic reforms of the Conte regime did not bring positive results. In 1991, a new constitution was adopted, providing for the creation of a transitional government and then a multi-party republic. As a first step towards the transition to civilian rule, the activities of political parties. Based on the results of the first multiparty elections in the country's history in 1993, Conte was elected president. The 1995 parliamentary elections, accompanied by numerous clashes and acts of violence, were won by the Party of Unity and Progress, led by Conte. In 1996, Conte appointed a new cabinet and introduced the post of prime minister, appointed by the president. Conte's government has been tasked with more vigorously pursuing an economic reform program that includes cutting government spending, fighting corruption and improving the efficiency of the tax system.

LITERATURE
Iordansky V.B. Strategy of the struggle for independence. Guinea 1945-1958. M., 1968 Guinea. Directory. M., 1980 Petrovsky A.D., Seliverstov Yu.P. On the roads of the Guinean savannah. M., 1986

Collier's Encyclopedia. - Open Society. 2000 .

Synonyms:

Guinea is one of the poorest countries in Africa. And, therefore, tourism here is very poorly developed. Few tourists rarely visit this country, since there are practically no attractions in the country. The high cost and uncivilized attitude towards nature scares off vacationers. The only entertainment that visiting tourists can watch is Guinean dancing. Tourists can visit the capital of Guinea, Conakry, and see with their own eyes all the poverty and wretchedness of this country. Although the subsoil of this African country is rich in diamonds, gold and aluminum ores. Despite the poverty, tourists can taste some of the best coffee in the world.

Guinea was previously a French colony. Guinea is divided into several geographical regions. Lower Guinea is a plain, Middle Guinea is a mountain plateau, Upper Guinea is a savannah with small hills, and the Nimba Range is located in Highland Guinea. The African rivers Milo and Niger begin their sources in this country. Tourists wishing to visit Guinea must take into account the very hot subequatorial climate, where rain alternates with drought. For vacationing tourists, savannas, mangrove forests, and impenetrable jungles will open on the ocean shore. The fauna of the animal world is very diverse. You can see antelopes, hippos, parrots and other exotic animals in their natural environment.

Population of Guinea

Guinea's population is estimated to be about 9.8 million people. Guineans live on average 56 years. Most of the population is not literate. The official language is French. The national languages are 8 local languages - Fulfide, Susu, Kisi, Loma, Kpele, Baga, Kona and Malinke. Thirty percent of the country's population lives in cities. The ethnic composition of the population of Guinea consists of three nationalities - the Fulani, the Malinke and the Susu. Sunni Islam predominates in the country; it makes up about 85 percent of the population and only 8 percent are Christians; most of the population are supporters of their ancient faith and worship. In the last century, until about the 70s, Guinea was home to large communities of foreigners - about 40 thousand migrants from Nigeria, doing hard work in cocoa groves in Bioko and logging in Mbini. About 7 thousand Europeans are in Guinea - these are businessmen, government officials and missionaries. The Spanish diaspora, numbering about four thousand people, also lives in Guinea. The majority of Guinea's population is black. There are approximately 30 nationalities living in the country

Tourists will be interested in visiting the capital of Guinea. Since 1958, the capital of Guinea has been Conakry. The capital is located on the picturesque Tombo Island, which is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. Conakry is a major port. The population of the capital is about seven hundred thousand inhabitants, with surrounding areas. The city is divided into 5 districts: Matoto, Matam, Dikin, Ratoma and Kalum.

The capital of Guinea is the main economic center of the country. It houses the lion's share of all Guinean industry - these are mainly processing industries. Important for everyone foreign trade is the port through which Guinea exports: natural resources and agricultural products. There is a polytechnic institute in Conakry, built with the participation of the Soviet Union. Tourists can also visit the National Museum, and in the Dixin area admire the beauty of the Botanical Garden, which was laid out back in 1884. The city is located on the picturesque shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Tourists can relax in hotels and enjoy the warm waters of the ocean. By modern standards, Conakry is a small compact city. However very expensive. Expensive primarily in relation to visiting tourists.

History of Guinea

Back in the 10th-11th centuries, the territory of Guinea belonged to another state - Ghana. Around the 13th century, after the collapse of Ghana, the state of Mali was formed. At the same time, the religion of Islam was established among the population of the country and until the 16th century. Mali was the strongest in this region of Africa. However, it was soon captured by another Gao Empire and it was created new country Tekrur is located in the western direction. In the 17th century The Bambara people overthrow the emperor of the Malinke people. At this time, all trade was located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, where the French, Portuguese, and British engaged in the slave trade competed with each other. On the territory of modern Guinea, the slave trade was not as important as on the shores of Senegal, Nigeria and Dahomey. In the 19th century, after the slave trade was banned, it was replaced by trade in rubber, palm oil, peanuts and hides. In 1881, the territory of present-day Guinea became a colony of France. The uprisings of the Guinean people continued until the First World War. During the colonial rule of France, the people of Guinea did not have any rights and freedoms. and only in 1958 did Guinea gain independence. In 1991, Guinea adopted a new constitution. And the state begins to implement a number of reforms to strengthen the economic and political independence of the country.

Government of Guinea

Guinea has a republican system. The leader of the country is the president, who is elected by the people by direct vote for a term of 5 years. The President can be elected for a second term. The President is the supreme commander of all the armed forces of the republic. The president heads the government, which consists of the prime minister and twenty-two ministers. The National Assembly is elected for five years and consists of 114 deputies. There are local municipal councils that are re-elected every 4 years. The country's judicial system is represented by the Supreme Court, whose judges are appointed for life. All other judges are appointed by the president of the country. Local executive power is exercised by prefects of administrative centers and districts and are also appointed by the president of the republic. Public organizations - trade unions of workers great influence they have no bearing on domestic politics. Domestic policy is aimed at stabilizing society and improving the economy, as well as the security of its sovereignty. However, the presence of corruption in government institutions, crime, unemployment and other crisis factors.

Transport Guinea

For the information of tourists, the main mode of transport in Guinea is road transport. At gas stations you don’t need to ask for the brand of gasoline; for Guineans there is always the same brand. The country has 6825 km. Highways of republican significance, of which 2 thousand kilometers are paved. Most roads are difficult to navigate during the rainy season. Two thousand metal and concrete bridges have been built, and there are 29 crossings. The fleet has 120 thousand cars. Taxis are available in cities. Almost all of them are imported. The railway is poorly developed, which is provided by one line Kankan-Conakry; its length is 662 kilometers and it was built in the last century and needs to be modernized. There are railway lines for the delivery of alumina and bauxite to the ports of Komsar and Conakry. One of the most preferred modes of transport is the plane, although it is the most expensive. The country has only one international airport, Conakry, which can accommodate up to 350 thousand passengers per year. Guinea has another five paved airfields and ten unpaved ones. The country's economy mainly uses small aircraft.

Sights of Guinea

Tourists visiting Guinea can admire the contrasts of nature in a small area. The impenetrable jungles in the south and the dried valleys of the north will allow tourists to enjoy the pristine African nature. The beautiful Fouta Djallon highlands and stunning sea views will delight travelers.

You need to visit the city of Kankan - the center of the political and spiritual culture of the Malinke people. In the Middle Ages, when the Mali Empire existed on the territory of Guinea, the city of Kankan was built.

There are a lot of historical monuments in the city, and in order to get a good look at them, tourists will need a local guide. The attention of tourists will be attracted by the beautifully laid out ornament Great Mosque and the Presidential Palace on the picturesque Milo River. In Conakry, the capital of Guinea, the National Museum is located which houses a huge collection of masks, national musical instruments and African figurines. The building itself was built in the style of the French Louvre. For ballet lovers, a large People's Palace was built in the north of the Roux du Niger, where numerous events are held. holiday events. Tourists who want to see very exotic animals should visit the foot of Mount Nimba, where they will see the only toad in the world breastfeeding its children.

Natural plants in Guinea are diverse and numerous. Despite the fact that the soil here is poor and after fires and clearings the plants feel excellent. Human-induced plant degradation is increasingly reflected in tropical dry forests, forest savannas and secondary savannas. There are very few virgin, true tropical forests left; they are found only along river banks and in the mountains. Guinean vegetation for tourists with northern countries is botanical garden. Even the capital of Guinea is similar to it.

The coast of Guinea is entirely covered with mangroves, which are mercilessly cut down by humans; charcoal is made from the trees, and rice is grown in the cleared areas. Coconut and banana palms, raffia palms, and oil palms grow on the shore.

You can also see giant trees up to 50 meters high in tropical forests. Several thousand plant species grow in Guinea.

The country's fauna includes large animals such as elephants and hippos. In Northern Guinea you can still see herds of antelopes, pygmy bongo and gib antelopes. The rainforests of Guinea are home to cheetahs, African panthers, chimpanzees and numerous herds of baboons that destroy agricultural crops.

Minerals of Guinea

The subsoil of Guinea is very rich in minerals. On its territory there are bauxite deposits of approximately 25 billion tons, which is one third of the world's reserves of this raw material. Guinea is the second largest exporter of ore for aluminum production. Bauxite is mainly mined by open pit mining by three companies. The largest bauxite mining complex is located near the city of Boke. This enterprise is owned by Guinea and the HALCO company and produces 14 mil. tons of ore per year. The Guinean government is attracting foreign capital to this industry. The Republic of Guinea contains deposits of diamonds and gold. Together with the Russian company International Diamond Group, Guinea is conducting geological surveys to identify diamond placers. Guinea, together with a Russian company, is mastering the latest technologies and applying them to us in practice. Gold deposits in Guinea exceed gold reserves in Europe, and among African countries it occupies a leading position in its reserves. Gold is mined mainly by foreign companies. Most of the mines are controlled by the state, using the old method of gold mining. Guinea imports about 15 tons of this precious metal every year.

Approximately 80% of Guinea's total population works in agriculture. The main crops grown are corn, rice and cassava - this is the main food of the Guinean population. Mainly rural residents are engaged in breeding goats, sheep, poultry and cattle. However, the country faces food shortages and is forced to purchase sugar, dairy products and rice. The cultivation of agricultural land is at a very low level due to a lack of funds to improve advanced farming technologies. Guinea exports: pineapples, bananas, chocolate tree, oil palm and peanuts. Due to the loss of French markets and the departure of specialists from Europe, the export of these crops has decreased since 1958. Guinea has been supplying bananas to the world market since the 80s. One of the main products exported to the world market is Guinean coffee, considered one of the best in the world. Dry-harvested coffee beans are not roasted; although they are not aromatic, they are very strong and have a bitter-sour taste. Some of the best varieties of Guinean coffee are robusta. Guinean coffee has 7 varieties: prima, extra prima, superior, limit, suli, kuran, graje shua.

Reserves of Guinea

On the border of Cote d'Ivoire and Leberia is located National Park, whose area is 13 thousand hectares. Scientists call it a “botanical garden.” On the territory, which grows more than 2 thousand various plants, many of which are very rare. Biologists found here more than 200 unfamiliar animals and 500 species of unknown insects, the habitat of which is only in this National Park. Tourists can see dwarf duiker antelopes, spotted hyenas, and viviparous toads. No people have ever lived in the park, but Lately the influx of population increased due to refugees from Liberia. This threatens the reserve. Travel by tourists only in organized groups and under the supervision of reserve staff. Scientists from all over the world constantly work in the reserve. In Guinea there is the Upper Niger Nature Reserve, its territory covers six thousand square kilometers of savannas and forests. Relict dry forests have been preserved here, with many birds and mammals including lions, mongooses, African elephants, and giant lizards - which are the pride of the reserve’s employees. One of the amazing wonders of the park is the Niger River itself, which is 4 thousand 180 kilometers long. The river is home to both exotic and freshwater fish, such as carp and crucian carp.

Resorts of Guinea

Tourists can visit a resort in Guinea with a mountain climate and wellness center D'Asuelle, which is used modern methods recovery. The mountain air and beautiful nature will give you great pleasure.

One of the cities in Guinea that tourists should definitely visit is Labe, which has small markets where you can buy exotic African souvenirs and plunge into the leisurely life and way of life of the Fula people living in this city.

The resort town of Farana is located 420 kilometers from Conakry, and the president of the country personally exercises control over it. Farana has very good restaurants with excellent cuisine. The attraction of this city is the local mosque and villas built in classical and Victorian styles. On Mondays, merchants and local farmers organize a huge fair. Almost all tourist routes go from this city to the Bafara waterfall and the Fuyama rapids. It should be noted that such cities as Kankan, Nzerekore, Cape Verga, where there are the best beaches in the country, also deserve the attention of tourists. Much attention should be paid to Guinean markets, where you can buy everything and not very expensive, since all markets are transshipment bases for products from neighboring countries.

Economy of Guinea

The Republic of Guinea is primarily an agricultural country. Although it also has a mining industry industry - copper, bauxite, iron ore, gold, diamonds. The state's gross national product consists of 24% -Agriculture, 31% - mining industry and 45% service sector. Guinea is still economically dependent on aid from other countries. It still imports petroleum products, cars and food. Bananas, coffee, aluminum and diamonds are exported from the country. Guinea trades with countries in Europe and America. Guinea produces its electricity 770 million kWh. in year. Harveses 5.5 million cubic meters of wood, banning the export of unprocessed wood abroad. The republic is developing its fishing fleet, although fish production is only a little more than 60 thousand tons per year. Guinea is restructuring its economy together with the International Monetary Fund and it is yielding results. Private business has become more active in all spheres of the economy. Administrative reforms have begun in the country. A course has been adopted to combat corruption. But life for indigenous Guineans remains very difficult due to high prices for food and services.

Medicine in Guinea

The Republic of Guinea is a state where poverty is very high, which is why there are problems with the provision of qualified medical care. Since the majority of Guinea's population lives in villages and towns, people are not always able to get to a medical facility and pay for treatment. There is a shortage of medical supplies and materials in the country, so the population cannot receive qualified medical care. The main disease in the country is malaria, which accounts for 30% of hospitalizations. Lack of funds for necessary medications leads to outbreaks of this disease. The epidemiological situation in the country is complicated by thousands of refugees from the neighboring countries of Sierra Leone and Liberia. With the help of international medical organizations, voluntary counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS is carried out here. Help is provided with medications and antiviral drugs. International medical organizations Together with the Ministry of Health, they helped eliminate the cholera epidemic in Conakry and Bok; assistance was provided to 3 thousand patients. Within three weeks, about 370 thousand people were vaccinated against yellow fever.

Education in Guinea

Back when Guinea was a colony of France, schools in the country were mainly Muslim, where Islam was the basis of study. The cities of Tubu and Kankan were centers of Muslim education already in the 17th century. It was only in the 19th century that European-style schools appeared in Christian missions. Children from the age of seven began to study and in 6 years received elementary education. To obtain secondary education, it was necessary to study from the age of 13, in two stages: four years at college and three years at the lyceum. Republic of Guinea ranks last place on girls' schooling (according to UNESCO). Higher education the country is represented by two

universities in the cities of Kankan and Conakry and institutes in the cities of Farana and Boke. The country has an institute for scientific research and the Guinean Pasteur Institute. Before 2000, approximately 35.9% of the total population in the country were literate. Most Guineans cannot receive a proper education due to poverty. Only a small percentage of the population (rich people) can afford to get an education abroad. Thanks to UNESC, Guinea is undergoing programs to improve the quality of education and its accessibility for all segments of society.

The Republic of Guinea has a military budget of about 52 million dollars a year. The number of armed forces is 9 thousand 700 people, the gendarmerie is one thousand people and two thousand six hundred people are paramilitary forces, the Guard of the Republic numbers one thousand six hundred people. The term of service of a military personnel is 24 months upon conscription. The armed forces of the republic consist of 9 battalions: one tank, one special purpose, one engineer, commando and five infantry. There are two divisions in service: anti-aircraft and artillery. The tank fleet consists of 53 tanks: T-34, PT-76, T-54, 40 armored personnel carriers and 27 armored personnel carriers; all this equipment was delivered to the country by the Soviet Union in the 60s and 70s. Military Air Force The republic has a population of 800 people and is armed with the following aircraft: four MIG-17F, four MIG-15 UTI, four MIG-21, and one MI-8 helicopter. The army in Guinea seized power, accusing the displaced government of corruption and the inability to carry out reforms in the country. The military coup was carried out by the country's army leadership under the slogan of protecting the territorial integrity of the country. As always, the people supported the Puschists.

To hunt animals in Guinea, you need to have a good large-caliber gun and be a physically strong and dexterous person with good reaction, since you need to shoot from behind dense thickets and from a distance of 30-50 meters. For successful hunting of the Red Forest Pig or the Giant Forest Pig, fertilizing and sun are used in the hunting areas, which even buffalos do. This type of hunting is used from a specially equipped tower, as well as from the approach. The most reliable shotgun with optics can be rented directly at the hunting camp. One of the best areas for hunting is the Sabuya area - there are many Sing Sing waterbuck, duiker antelopes, forest pigs and forest buffalo. This area has a developed road system, which facilitates successful hunting. In the north-west of Guinea is the Kumbia region where animals such as warthog, palm marten, hippopotamus, savannah buffalo and lions are found. Hunting is carried out only by pursuing animals and only by two hunters at a time. If you want to hunt hippopotamus, then the Boke Sangaredi area is the place for you.

If you are a fisherman, then you will not find a better place for fishing than the Bijag archipelago for fishing.

Here you can apply a variety of technical types of coastal fishing for tropical fish. Spinning rods are mainly used for fishing. A fisherman can catch barracuda, stingray, shark, red carp, and carp. Guinea is a fishing paradise.

Architecture of Guinea

Guineans mainly build traditional dwellings - round huts with a diameter of 6-10 meters and cover them with thatch in the form of a cone-shaped roof. In different parts of the country, huts are built from different materials. The huts are built using a mixture of clay and straw, stakes and bamboo mats. In cities, houses are built mainly with rectangular flat roofs and terraces. Construction of mosques is separate species architecture. Modern cities are built with multi-storey buildings made of reinforced concrete and brick, in the construction and design of which he also helped Soviet Union. The ancient houses were built in French and Portuguese style, since Guinea was a colony of these countries. In large cities and the capital, villas surrounded by tropical greenery have been built. The majority of the country's population still lives in squalid conditions, without any basic amenities. Huts are built in a circle in the village in the center, which is not a large area. Recently, foreign companies have been building ultra-modern buildings made of glass and concrete in cities. These are mainly offices of large companies and corporations, banks and other institutions of foreign investors. The share of the public sector in construction is very small.

Fine arts and crafts of Guinea

Objects of art of the people living in the Republic of Guinea, such as sculpture of the Baga and Darker people, helmet-shaped African halo masks, polychrome banda masks, are widely represented in private collections and in other museums around the world, such as the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia. On professional basis art began to emerge only after the country gained independence. National artists appeared such as Matinez Sirena, M.B. Cossa, M. Conde and many others who studied painting back in the Soviet Union. Arts and crafts are well developed in Guinea, mainly carving. Ivory and wood, jewelry, pottery, metal work (chasing), making a variety of baskets, mats, finishing leather and products made from them. All this can be purchased at markets from merchants in the city. Products made of gold and silver are real works of art, as they are made filigree and gracefully. Tourists visiting this country never leave without buying a souvenir made by local artisans. Women's jewelry made of leather and gold is very beautiful.

Literature of Guinea

The literature of Guinea is based on the oral works (fairy tales, proverbs, songs and myths) of the people. Folklore traditions are preserved thanks to griots (wandering actor-storytellers). Even before the colonization of the country, writing was in the Dalek of the Fulani people (poems called “Qasidas”) All modern Guinean literature is written in French. The founder of Guinean national literature is the writer Camara Ley. Other well-known writers are Emil Sise, Sassien, Monemembo, William Sasein. The works of many Guinean writers and poets have been published in France. In the country itself, the illiterate population hardly knows its writers. The most famous poets of Guinea are Rai Otra, Lunsaini Kaba and Nene Khali. Guinean writers describe in their works the difficult life of the common people and their desire for independence and national unity. In the fairy tales of the peoples inhabiting Guinea, the main characters are animals that are endowed with human traits and vices. But good always defeats evil and deceit. Guinean literature influences its neighboring countries and contributes to liberal arts education peoples of Africa.