town, southeastern Guinea, western Africa. It lies at the intersection of roads from Ganta (in Liberia), Danané (Côte d'Ivoire), Kankan, and Macenta. It is the chief trading centre for the surrounding area's agricultural products—including rice, cassava, pepper, tobacco, kola nuts, and palm oil and kernels—grown by the Guerze (Kpelle), Mano (Manon), and Kono (Konon) peoples of the forested Guinea Highlands. It ships wood, palm products, and coffee to the Liberian port of Monrovia (165 miles 【265 km】 southwest) for export. Nzérékoré has a sawmill and plywood factory and is the site of a hospital and a Roman Catholic mission. Pop. (2001 est.) 55,000.