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EQUATORIAL GUINEAN Facts & Figures

Size: 10,830 square miles

Population: 676,000

Capital: Malabo

Currency: Central African Franc

Weather / Climate:

Equatorial Guineahas a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. From June to August, Río Muni is dry and Bioko wet; from December to February, the reverse occurs. In between there is gradual transition. Rain or mist occurs daily on Annobón, where a cloudless day has never been registered. The temperature at Malabo, Bioko, ranges from 16 °C (61 °F) to 33 °C (91 °F), though on the southern Moka Plateau normal high temperatures are only 21 °C (70 °F). In Río Muni, the average temperature is about 27 °C (81 °F). Annual rainfall varies from 1,930 mm (76 in) at Malabo to 10,920 mm (430 in) at Ureka , Bioko, but Río Muni is somewhat drier.

Taken from wikipedia

EQUATORIAL GUINEAN languages

The official languages are Spanish (for the local variety see Equatoguinean Spanish), French , and Portuguese. However, the government's official homepage states that: "Spanish is the official administrative language and that of education. French is the second official language and nearly all the ethnic groups speak the languages referred to as Bantu."^[43]

Indigenous languages include Fang, Bube, Benga, Pichinglis, Ndowe, Balengue, Bujeba, Bissio, Gumu, Igboand a nearly extinct Baseke) and others, as well as Annobonese language (Fá d'Ambô) a Portuguese creole, and Fernando Poo Creole English. English and German are also studied as foreign languages.

Aboriginal languages are recognized as integral parts of the national culture" (Constitutional Law No. 1/1998 of January 21). The great majority of Equatorial Guineans speak Spanish,^[44] especially those living in the capital, Malabo. Spanish has been an official language since 1844.

Some media reported that in October 2011, the Constitutional Law that amends article four of the Constitution of Equatorial Guinea was enacted by Chamber of People's Representatives. This Constitutional Law established the third official language of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea – Portuguese (by that time only the Spanish and French had official status). This was in an effort by the government to improve its communications, trade, and bilateral relations with Portuguese-speaking countries.^[45] The adoption of Portuguese followed the announcement in July 13, 2007, by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema of his government's decision for Portuguese to become Equatorial Guinea's third official language, in order to meet one of the requirements to apply for full membership in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), the other one being political reforms allowing for effective democracy and the respect for human rights. This upgrading from its current Associate Observer condition would result in Equatorial Guinea being able to access several professional and academic exchange programs and the facilitation of cross-border circulation of citizens. Its application for membership of the CPLP is currently being assessed by the organisations' members.^[44] According to draft of the Constitutional Law: “This Constitutional Law will go into effect twenty days from its publication in the Official State Gazette”.^[46] So far no official confirmation of approving the decree by the Parliament nor published it in the Official State Gazette. Moreover official Equatorial Guinean sources, do not treat Portuguese as an official language yet.

Taken from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_Guinea#Languages

EQUATORIAL GUINEAN culture

Equatorial Guinea is a small country off West Africa which has recently struck oil and which is now being cited as a textbook case of the resource curse - or the paradox of plenty.

The area was first colonised by the Portuguese in the late 15th century and handed over to the Spanish in 1788. Self-government was granted in 1959, followed by full independence in 1968.Its economy has expanded rapidly following the discovery of oil and gas deposits in the Gulf of Guinea, though little of this wealth has trickled down to the general population.

The area now called Equatorial Guinea was first colonised by the Portuguese in the late 15th century. In 1788, the territory was handed over to the Spanish, who ran it as a protectorate of Spanish Guinea until 1959. At this point, the colony was granted internal self-government, and full independence followed in 1968.

Since the mid-1990s the former Spanish colony has become one of sub-Sahara's biggest oil producers and in 2004 was said to have the world's fastest-growing economy. However, few people have benefited from the oil riches and the country ranks near the bottom of the UN human development index. The UN says that less than half the population has access to clean drinking water and that 20% of children die before reaching five.

The country has exasperated a variety of rights organisations who have described the two post-independence leaders as among the worst abusers of human rights in Africa. Francisco Macias Nguema's reign of terror - from independence in 1968 until his overthrow in 1979 - prompted a third of the population to flee. Apart from allegedly committing genocide against the Bubi ethnic minority, he ordered the death of thousands of suspected opponents, closed down churches and presided over the economy's collapse.

His successor - Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo - took over in a coup and has shown little tolerance for opposition during the three decades of his rule. Initially, conditions improved, as Equatorial Guinea gained international recognition and aid; it also joined the CFA Franc Zone. While the country is nominally a multiparty democracy, elections have generally been considered a sham. According to Human Rights Watch, the ''dictatorship under President Obiang has used an oil boom to entrench and enrich itself further at the expense of the country's people''. A democratic constitution was born in 1991, and the first multi-party legislative elections were held late 1993. However, the government's conduct of the election was such that the main opposition movement boycotted the poll, alleging systematic intimidation. Consequently, the Obiang-controlled Partido Democratico Guinea Ecuatorial (PDGE) won a substantial majority of seats. This pattern of malpractice has continued more or less unabated at every consequent election. Recent opposition leader, Placido Mico Abojo, was jailed in June 2002 for allegedly plotting a coup against Obiang.

The corruption watchdog Transparency International has put Equatorial Guinea in the top 12 of its list of most corrupt states. Resisting calls for more transparency, President Obiang has for long held that oil revenues are a state secret. In 2008 the country became a candidate of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative - an international project meant to promote openness about government oil revenues - but failed to qualify by an April 2010 deadline.

A 2004 US Senate investigation into the Washington-based Riggs Bank found that President Obiang's family had received huge payments from US oil companies such as Exxon Mobil and Amerada Hess. Observers say the US finds it hard to criticise a country which is seen as an ally in a volatile, oil-rich region. In 2006, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hailed President Obiang as a "good friend" despite repeated criticism of his human rights and civil liberties record by her own department. More recently President Barack Obama posed for an official photograph with President Obiang at a New York reception.

The advocacy group Global Witness has been lobbying the United States to act against the President Obiang's son Teodor, a government minister. It says there is credible evidence that he spent millions buying a Malibu mansion and private jet using corruptly acquired funds - grounds for denying him a visa. Equatorial Guinea hit the headlines in 2004 when a plane load of suspected mercenaries was intercepted in Zimbabwe while allegedly on the way to overthrow President Obiang.

Equatorial Guinea is a country of luscious vegetation and beautiful scenery, including tropical forests and snow-capped volcanoes. The capital, Malabo, is a rather rundown but attractive town, with pleasant Spanish colonial architecture, a striking volcanic setting and a lively market. The white-sand beaches around the islands are stunning. No wonder the country was first of all named 'Formosa', meaning 'beautiful', by the Portuguese.

There is no official religion, but around 90% are Roman Catholic, with an animist minority.

Foreign visitors (especially Europeans) are a comparative rarity in Equatorial Guinea and are liable to be met with curiosity and, possibly, suspicion. Foreign cigarettes are appreciated as gifts. A knowledge of Spanish is useful. A permit is required from the Ministry of Information and Tourism. Care should be taken when choosing subjects. Photographing the presidential palace, airports, ports, military bases and other sensitive areas could lead to imprisonment.

Holidays

· 01 January - New Year's Day

· 08 March – Women’s Day

· April – Good Friday

· 01 May – Labour Day

· 25 May – Africa Day

· 05 June – President’s Day

· June – Corpus Christi

· 03 August – Armed Forces Day

· 15 August – Constitution Day

· 12 October – Independence Day

· 25 December – Christmas Day

Taken from:

www.bbc.co.uk

www.worldtravelguide.net

EQUATORIAL GUINEAN people

The majority of the people of Equatorial Guinea are of Bantu origin.The largest tribe, the Fang, is indigenous to the mainland, but substantial migration to Bioko Island has resulted in the Fang population exceeding that of the earlier Bantu inhabitants. The Fang constitute 80% of the population^[41] and comprise 67 clans. Those in the northern part of Rio Muni speak Fang-Ntumu, while those in the south speak Fang-Okah; the two dialects have differences but are mutually intelligible. Dialects of Fang are also spoken in parts of neighboring Cameroon (Bulu) and Gabon. These dialects, while still intelligible, are more distinct. The Bulu Fang of Cameroon were traditional rivals of Fang in Rio Muni. The Bubi, who constitute 15% of the population, are indigenous to Bioko Island. The traditional demarcation line between Fang and beach tribes was the village of Niefang (limit of the Fang) inland from Bata.

In addition, there are coastal tribes, sometimes referred to as Ndowe or "Playeros" (Beach People in Spanish): Combes, Bujebas, Balengues, and Bengas on the mainland and small islands, and Fernandinos, a Krio community on Bioko Island. Together, these groups compose 5% of the population. Some Europeans (largely of Spanish or Portuguese descent) – among them mixed with African ethnicity – also live in the nation. Most Spaniards left after independence. There is a growing number of foreigners from neighboring Cameroon, Nigeria, and Gabon. Equatorial Guinea received Asians and black Africans from other countries as workers on cocoa and coffee plantations. Other black Africans came from Liberia, Angola, and Mozambique. Most of the Asian population is Chinese, with small numbers of Indians.

Equatorial Guineaalso allowed many fortune-seeking European settlers of other nationalities, including British, French and Germans. There is also a group of Israelis, which are employed at the Centro Médico La Paz in Bata^{[citation needed]}. After independence, thousands of Equatorial Guineans went to Spain. Another 100,000 Equatorial Guineans went to Cameroon, Gabon, and Nigeria because of the dictatorship of Francisco Macías Nguema. Some Equatorial Guinean communities are also to be found in Latin America, the United States, Portugal, and France. Oil extraction has contributed to a doubling of the population in Malabo.

Taken from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equatorial_guinea#Demographics

EQUATORIAL GUINEAN food

The Cuisine of Equatorial Guinea is a blend of the cuisines of the native tribes, as well as that of Spain (their colonial motherland) and Islamic states such as Morocco. As the wealthiest nation in west Africa^[1], its cuisine incorporates various meats. These include game & bush-meat as well as imports. Fish and chicken are common dishes.^[2]. As seen in the dishes here, chilies and other spices are popular. Equatorial Guinea has never been a particularly powerful nation.^[3] and its cuisine has been influenced by other nations for centuries.

National specialties:
- Chicken served in a peanut butter or cream sauce with rice or boiled plantain.
- Meat or fish grilled with crushed pumpkin seeds served in leaves.
- Cassava is a staple food, often served with fish or meat.
- Sweet potatoes, yams and plantain are all popular ingredients.

Drinks

Examples include Malamba, a sugar cane brew, and Osang, an African tea. Beer and palm wine, an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the Palmyra, and coconut palms are produced locally.^[4]

Taken from:

www.iexplore.com

www.wikipedia.com

Places to go in EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Markets sell local produce such as beans, rice, fruit, vegetables, oil and bush meat as well as fabric and clothing in traditional African prints, hardware and local crafts. However, prices may not be much cheaper than at home because many goods have to be imported from the mainland. Expect to barter in the markets. There is little nightlife except in Malabo and Bata where there are outdoor bars and lively nightclubs.

Take a trip to Bata, the principle town in the region of Rio Muni on the mainland. It is a lively town with a few restaurants, bars, hotels and markets.

Explore Malabo, a small but attractive town, with pleasant Spanish colonial architecture, open plazas and a lively market.

Visit the town of Moca situated in the Moca valley in the southern highlands and learn the ways of the Bubi - the indigenous people of Bioko Island.

Bask on Arena Blanca, the only white beach on Bioko Island. During the dry season, thousands of butterflies can be seen.

Check out the Cascades of Moca, Lake Biao and Lake Loreta, popular visitor destinations which are inhabited by several species of monkey.

Get back to nature in the Monte Alen National Park, an area spanning 1,400 sq. km (540 sq. miles). It is accessible via a series of trails through the jungle and is inhabited by elephants, leopards and several bird species.

Take in the panoramic view of the island from the 3,000m (9,843ft) Pico Basile. On a clear day, Mount Cameroon can be seen.

View the Pico Malabo volcano, which provides a number of secluded hiking trails and opportunities for mountain climbing.

Taken from:

www.bbc.co.uk

www.worldtravelguide.net

Doing business in EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings. On January 1, 1985, the country became the first non-Francophone African member of the franc zone, adopting the CFA as its currency. The national currency, the ekwele, was previously linked to the Spanish peseta.^[36]

The discovery of large oil reserves in 1996 and its subsequent exploitation have contributed to a dramatic increase in government revenue. As of 2004,^[37] Equatorial Guinea is the third-largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa. Its oil production has risen to 360,000 barrels per day (57,000 m³/d), up from 220,000 only two years earlier.

Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. The deterioration of the rural economy under successive brutal regimes has diminished any potential for agriculture-led growth.

In July 2004, the United States Senate published an investigation into Riggs Bank, a Washington-based bank into which most of Equatorial Guinea's oil revenues were paid until recently, and which also banked for Chile's Augusto Pinochet. The Senate report, as to Equatorial Guinea, showed that at least $35 million were siphoned off by Obiang, his family and senior officials of his regime. The president has denied any wrongdoing. While Riggs Bank in February 2005 paid $9 million as restitution for its banking for Chile's Augusto Pinochet, no restitution was made with regard to Equatorial Guinea, as reported in detail in an Anti-Money Laundering Report from Inner City Press.^[38]

Equatorial Guineais a member of the Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA).^[39]

Equatorial Guineatried to become validated as an Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) Compliant country, working toward transparency in reporting of oil revenues and the prudent use of natural resource wealth. The country was one of 30 Candidate countries and obtained Candidate status February 22, 2008. It was then required to meet a number of obligations to do so, including committing to working with civil society and companies on EITI implementation, appointing a senior individual to lead on EITI implementation, and publishing a fully costed Work Plan with measurable targets, a timetable for implementation and an assessment of capacity constraints. However, when Equatorial Guinea applied to extend the deadline for completing EITI validation, the EITI Board did not agree to grant Equatorial Guinea an extension.^[40]

Taken from wikipedia