Why are so many countries called Guinea? (Short Animated Documentary)

Summary by Krater

This video explains the history behind why four unrelated countries—Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, and Papua New Guinea—share the same name. It concludes that the name 'Guinea' originated from a Berber word for dark skin, which European navigators and colonial powers applied to various regions of Africa and later exported elsewhere due to cultural similarities or colonization.

From the video

Answers: Why are there four countries named Guinea?

• Origin of the name Guinea
• European colonization of Africa
• History of Guinea
• History of Guinea-Bissau
• History of Equatorial Guinea
• History of Papua New Guinea

What it concludes

• The name 'Guinea' derives from an old Berber word meaning dark skin, initially used by Europeans to describe parts of the African coast.
• Different European powers applied variations like Portuguese Guinea, Swedish Guinea, Danish Guinea, Dutch Guinea, and French Guinea to their colonies in the region.
• Equatorial Guinea was named because of its location despite previously being known by other colonial names.
• Papua New Guinea received its name because European explorers felt the native inhabitants were indistinguishable from the Africans of Guinea.