The Republic of Guinea (formally French Guinea), situated on the Atlantic coast of Africa between Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau, has an area of 96,964 sq. mi. (245,957 sq. km.) and a population of 7.86 million. Capital: Conakry. Although Guinea contains one-third of the world?s reserves of bauxite and significant deposits of iron ore, gold and diamonds, the economy is still dependent on agriculture. Aluminum, bananas, copra and coffee are exported. ,The coast of Guinea was known to Portuguese navigators of the 15th century but was seldom visited by European traders of the 16th-18th centuries because of its dangerous coastal waters. French penetration of the area began in the mid-19th century with the entering of protectorate treaties with several of the coastal chiefs. After a long struggle with Guinea?s native leader Samory Toure, France secured the area and until 1890 administered part of the federation of French West Africa. The inhabitants were extended French citizenship in 1946 when the colony became an overseas territory of the French Union. Guinea became an independent republic on Oct. 2, 1958, when it declined to enter the new French Community.,, Rulers:,,, ,French to 1958,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Franc = 100 Centimes to 1971,, ,1 Syli = 10 Francs, 1971-1980,, ,Franc System, 1985-,,