Guinea

Conakry is the capital and largest city of Guinea, sprawled along the Atlantic coast on the Kaloum Peninsula and Tombo Island. Founded by the French in 1887 as a colonial port, it became the capital of French Guinea and remained the seat of government when the country gained independence in 1958. Its busy harbor and coastal setting make it Guinea’s political and economic hub. To avoid confusion with its neighbors, people often say “Guinea (Conakry).” The other options are nearby capitals: Bamako is Mali, Freetown is Sierra Leone, and Monrovia is Liberia. Memory tip: think “Co-nakry on the Coast” for Guinea, “Free-town” for Sierra Leone’s history of freed slaves, and “Monrovia” named after U.S. President Monroe for Liberia.