Guinée Forestière (Forested Guinea) is a forested mountainous region in southeastern Guinea, extending into northeastern Sierra Leone. It is one of four natural regions into which Guinea is divided and covers 23% of the country. It includes all of the Nzérékoré administrative region.[1]
It is known for its diverse ethnic population, including the Toma and Lissi groups, and also shelters a large number of refugees from the Sierra Leone Civil War, the Liberian Civil Wars and the Côte d’Ivoire Civil War. Nzérékoré is the largest city.[1]
The area also has a rich fauna and flora. The Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve lies 70% inside Guinea and also extends into Côte d'Ivoire. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site[1] and includes significant portions of Mont Nimba, a geographically unique area with more than 200 endemic species and a rich fauna and flora including duikers, big cats (lion and leopard), civets, and two species of viviparous toad.[2][3][4]
In the Simandou Range and at Mont Nimba, Guinée Forestière has iron deposits which are amongst the highest quality known worldwide (66-68% estimated iron content). In a poor country like Guinea mining is the most important source of income and exports but poses a threat to the natural environment and biodiversity.[5]
The President of Guinea Moussa Dadis Camara is from the Guinée Forestière.
The President of Guinea is now Alpha Conde