Conakry, Guinea – Babyinger

According to abbreviationfinder, Conakry is the capital of Guinea, it functions as the administrative, economic and cultural center of the country. The city is located on Tombo Island and on the Kaloum Peninsula, on the Atlantic coast of Guinea. The streets of Conakry are often shaded by the beautiful mangroves and coconut trees. The city center is located at the tip of the Kaloum peninsula and the main street is called Avenue de la Republique. Guinea’s commercial center, Conakry, has several discos with live music and dance.

History

The country was initially populated by different indigenous peoples, such as the Fulanis, who enjoyed strong hegemony between the 16th and 19th centuries, to the point that one of their leaders, Samori, ruled the lands that now occupy both Guinea and Mali and Ivory Coast. In 1886 this town faced the French occupying power, resisting until 1898. From that moment, Guinea was a French colony, and Conakry its capital, which was founded in 1890 by Noël Balley, its first governor.

In 1958 independence from France was obtained, thanks to the struggle led by Ahmed Sekon Touré. Later a communist system of Maoist inspiration would be imposed, which would be overthrown in 1977 after the revolt led by the women of the Conakry markets, against the government decision to requisition their work to be sold through the state cooperatives.

Geography

Conakry is the capital of the Republic of Guinea, also known as Guinea-Conakry. This country, located on the west coast of Africa, facing the Atlantic Ocean, is bordered to the north by Guinea Bissau, Senegal and Mali, to the south by Sierra Leone and Liberia and to the east by Mali and the Ivory Coast.

Location

The city of Conakry is located on the island of Tombo, and is connected to the mainland by a road.

Climate

The climate in Conakry is tropical and pleasant, with a monsoon rainy season between June and November and a dry season between December and May. The sandy Harmatán wind blows between December and March. The average annual temperature is 22ºC. The best time to visit Conakry is between November and December, when the weather is dry and ideal for sunbathing, swimming and visiting places of interest.

Nature

The beaches near the city, such as Iles de Los, Ile de Roume and Isla Kassa are the main attractions of the island, as well as the botanical gardens.

Population

Conakry has a population of 2,000,000, one-seventh of the country’s total. See population of Guinea.

Economic development

The city’s port is its great economic engine. From it come the largest exports of the country, such as bauxite, iron, aluminum, gold, diamonds and bananas. Tourism is developing very slowly.

Sightseeing

Conakry, the capital of Guinea, functions as the administrative, economic and cultural center of the country. It has wide streets and avenues lined with trees. Its tourist attractions are the botanical gardens, the National Museum and Library, its markets, the Palais de la Presidence, Ile de Roume and Kassa Island. For nightlife we recommend the Ratoma (a district of the city) as well as Iles de Los.

Nearby places of interest

The magnificent Soumba Falls and Mount Kaukoulima are situated in the nearby town of Dubreeka, a short distance from the capital, Conakry. The area is rich in Guinean fauna and flora and offers the opportunity for trekking. The Conakry Botanical Garden has magnificent tall tropical trees and typical Guinean fauna. There are also beautiful beaches around Guinea’s tropical paradise, the Îles des Los island group, is located south of the capital. The islands can be visited by taking a short boat trip from Conakry. The three main islands are called Tamara, Kassa and Roume, but there are several smaller islands in the vicinity. Roume Island was once the center of the slave trade and is famous for the novel of Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island. The islands are a popular tourist destination with green jungles and beautiful white beaches.

Culture

The architecture of Conakry is almost non-existent. The houses, normally built by their own residents, do not have, in many cases, minimal services such as water or electricity. Nor is there much left of the French presence, so the highlight is the People’s Palace, built under the parameters of socialist architecture, and the various mosques that dot the city.

Religion

Almost all residents in the city profess Islam

Crafts

Guinean craftsmanship is a specialist in hardwood work. Thus, in the markets of Conakry the tourist can buy masks as well as figures and other carefully crafted objects.

Gastronomy

The fusion between African traditions and the French colonial mark is present on the table of the residents of Conakry, who base their diet on fish and the most cultivated products, such as bananas, which are fried as dessert. If you have to choose a representative dish, nothing better than the riz sauce, rice with cassava sauce. Anyway, in the city you can find offers of western cuisine, as well as French-style pastry shops.

Patrimnio

The catalog of buildings in Conakry is very brief. Only the People’s Palace (built during the communist period) and the National Museum are worth a visit.

Holidays and traditions

In Conakry the following holidays are celebrated: New Year, the Day of the Market Women’s Revolt (beginning of the end of the previous communist regime, August 27), Independence Day (October 1), the Day of the Armed Forces (November 1), Christmas and holidays related to Muslim celebrations, such as Tabaski (or Eid-al-Kabir), the end of Ramadan (Eid-al-Fitr) and Mohammed’s birthday.

Transport

Public transport

The most popular transportation in Conakry is the seven-seat Bush jeepney which is often crammed with people. There are ferries that transport people from Conakry to the nearby islands of Îles de Los. Car rental in Conakry is a good option to explore fascinating Guinean destinations with a local driver. However, the streets of Guinea are often in poor condition.

Air Transport

Flights to Conakry arrive at Conakry International Airport, which works with African and European airlines. There are also land connections to Conakry from neighboring countries and the main cities of Guinea. However, due to political instability, traveling to Guinea by road from neighboring countries is not advised. Many of the streets in Guinea are unpaved and in poor condition.