The area of Guinea has been incorporated into many different empires over the centuries, from the Ghana Empire around the year 900 to the French empire in 1890. Guinea gained independence in 1958 and then suffered through 26 years of socialist dictatorship. Although socialist economic policies were largely abandoned in 1984, the country was still pretty much run by a dictatorship and is to this day. A poorly developed economy -- despite major natural resources -- and fighting with its neighbours has left Guinea in poverty. On the good side, Guinea has a vibrant musical culture like many of its west-African neighbours.
Guinea on Wikipedia
