Guinea is a West African country with beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. It is a former French colony and has retained some remnants of its Gallic heritage, including a passion for football bordering on mania.

Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world, with rich soil and plenty of water, but little else of value. The country suffers from inept leaders, droughts and other disasters, as well as war; it ranks last on the UN Human Development Index.

Guinea is still recovering from the civil war that ended in 2002, but has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people, shackled the economy and forced thousands to flee to neighboring countries. Guineans are friendly, open and willing to welcome guests who will see their beautiful country and tell others about it.

The main attractions are national parks, which are still home to many species of animals that have become extinct in other countries, such as gorillas and chimpanzees. But there are also a number of attractive beaches on the Atlantic Ocean coast, several islands with interesting vegetation and birds, as well as several historical sites.

Bioko Island has several good beaches, including a very pleasant beach in the village of Santa Isabel. There are also some great diving spots that are being put in order. Marine life is thriving here, including many species of fish, turtles and dolphins. Snorkeling is well developed in the lagoon. Among the most interesting places for diving are the sunken cemetery of German sailors, a Japanese ship destroyed by American troops during World War II, and a Russian cargo ship.

There are also small but beautiful lakes in the crater of an extinct volcano; from here you can hike to the top of the volcano itself. There are many villages in the countryside where tourists can enjoy traditional African culture and food.

The city of Malabo is going through the best of times, and it lacks amenities. The rooms in the hotel were in poor condition, and we were advised not to eat there. Nevertheless, the tour was interesting because our guide was so knowledgeable and friendly that he made even such a dilapidated city as Malabo come to life with stories about its history and traditions.

Of course, one cannot travel in Africa without meeting people selling "tourist goods" such as carved wooden giraffes or masks made of nuts, or handmade scarves made of wild cotton, or baskets made of palm leaves, or colorful products. Read and watch Top 4K Ultra HD Movies