Guinea is a state on the Atlantic Coast of West Africa bordered in the north by Guinea-Bissau, Senegal and Mali, in the south by Liberia and Sierra Leone, and in the south-east by Côte d'Ivoire. Guinea's four major geographical regions largely correspond to four major ethno-linguistic groups. The Peuhl, who make up 40 per cent of the population, are cattle herders and are the predominant population in the Fouta Djallon mountain plateau of the western interior. The Malinké, a Mandé people, make up around 30 per cent of the population. They are concentrated on the Niger plains of the north-east, towards the border with Mali. Soussou, another Mandé people, make up 20 per cent of the population but have played the leading role Guinean politics since 1984. They live predominantly along the coast. The fourth major geographical region is the forest highlands of the south-east. This is home to numerous smaller groups who initially fled here to escape domination by the Malinké. These groups include the Kissi, Kpelle (Guerze), Loma, Kono, Manon and Conagui.

Minority Rights Group International, World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples