Conakry or Konakry is the capital city of Guinea. With a population of 2,000,000 (2002), the city is a port on the Atlantic Ocean. It is located at 9°30' North and 13°40' West. Located on Tombo Island and connected with the mainland by a causeway Conakry is Guinea's largest city and its administrative, communications, and economic center.
Its economy revolves largely around the port, which has modern facilities for handling and storing cargo, and from which Guinea's chief exports, alumina and bananas, are shipped. Industries include plastics, motor vehicle assembly, printed materials, fisheries, and tourism. Agricultural products include bananas, oranges, pineapples, palm products, and coffee.
The city developed on Tumbo Island at the tip of the Kaloum Peninsula, to which it is now joined by an isthmus, the city having long spread on to it. The city was essentially founded after Britain ceded the island to France in 1887. It derived its name from a local village inhabited by the Susu (Soussou) people. In 1891 it became capital of the protectorate of Rivières du Sud, in 1893 the colony of French Guinea and in 1958 of independent Guinea (1958).
Tombo Island, the site of the original settlement, is linked to the peninsula by a 328-yard causeway; it contains Conakry's deepwater harbor. The port is the terminus of motor roads, a 411-mile railroad from Kankan, and a 90-mile branch line from Fria. A railroad connects Conakry with Kankan, E Guinea, and roads run to Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, and Mali.
The city became industrialized in the 1950s with the development of iron mining on the Kaloum Peninsula and the exploitation of bauxite on the nearby Los Islands. Today, the city has grown along the peninsula to form five main districts. From the tip in the south west, the districts are: Kaloum (the city centre), Dixinn (including the University of Conakry and many embassies), Ratoma (known for its nightlife), Matam and finally Matoto, home to Gbessia Airport.
Attractions in the city include the Guinea National Museum, several markets, the Guinea Palais du Peuple, Conakry Grand Mosque which was built by Sekou Toure, the city's nightlife and the nearby Iles de Los. The Polytechnical Institute of Conakry is also located in Conakry. The city is noted for its botanical garden.
Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conakry
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9025067/Conakry
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/world/A0813145.html
By Purity Njeru
Ms. Njeru is an African Executive staff writer
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