Conakry << KON uh kree >> is the capital, largest city, and chief port of Guinea. About 2 million people live in the city. The oldest part of Conakry lies on the island of Tombo. This area features low, whitewashed buildings with red-tiled and metal roofs. A causeway (raised road) links Tombo with the newer part of Conakry, on the mainland. This part of the city has a few office buildings and extensive areas of inexpensive multistory housing. The city is a shipping, educational, and government administration center. Its products include beverages, lumber, metal goods, and processed foods.
Conakry was a small fishing village when the French took control of Guinea in the late 1800’s. France made Conakry a major port and administration center. Guinea gained independence from France in 1958. Since then, Conakry has grown rapidly, and overcrowding has become a problem.
