The four major geographic regions largely correspond to the areas colonised by the major linguistic groups. In Lower Guinea the major language of Susu has gradually replaced many of the other indigenous languages and is a lingua franca for most of the coastal population. In the Fouta Djallon the major language is Pular, while in Upper Guinea the Malinke language is the most widespread. The Forest Region contains the linguistic areas, from east to west, of KpelleLoma and Kissi.