Picture a country full of green forests and wide rivers. That is Guinea, a nation in West Africa. It sits on the Atlantic coast. The land has rich soil, thick tropical forests, and mountains called the Fouta Djallon. Guinea's rivers are important to all of West Africa, including the Niger River. For almost 70 years, France controlled Guinea. French leaders made the big decisions. They decided what to grow, where to build, and how to run schools. In 1958, France gave its African colonies a choice. They could stay connected to France or become independent. Guinea was the only country that voted no. On October 2, 1958, Guinea became the first French colony in Africa to break free. A leader named Ahmed Sekou Toure told France, "We prefer freedom in poverty to riches in slavery." France was angry. French workers packed up and left quickly. They even took equipment like phones and office supplies. Guinea had to start fresh. Despite those challenges, the country kept its freedom. Today, Guinea is known for its bauxite, the mineral used to make aluminum.