Country Information on Equatorial Guinea

Terrain The terrain is gently rolling, with nearly half of the country's total area heavily forested. The Mbini River drains about 60 percent of the area. The main island is Bioko, which is located in the Bight of Biafra (Bonny). The island, primarily of volcanic origin, is mountainous and thickly wooded, with a steep, rocky coast. Its highest peak is Pico de Santa Isabel (3,008 m) located in one of the island's two mountain ranges. Climate Equatorial Guinea is a rainy, tropical country. High humidity and high temperatures are characteristic. The average annual temperature is about 25°C, the annual precipitation level is over 2000 mm in most areas. Fauna/Flora Given the country's tropical climate, Equatorial Guinea is home to a variety of plants, with tree species like okoume, mahogany, oak, walnut, teak, and rosewood predominant. Forested areas provide a suitable habitat for a large number of animals, especially elephants, lions, and gazelles. However, the pressure on agricultural output results in increasing deforestation with a damaging effect on the country's fauna. History/Politics The island of Bioko (island of Fernando Pó in former times) was discovered in 1471 by Portuguese navigator Fernando Pó. Portugal ceded the island to Spain in 1778 in exchange for some Brazilian territories. From 1827 to 1844, Britain (maintaining a naval station at Fernando Pó) occupied and started colonizing the island. In 1844 the Spanish reconquered the island. The islands of Fernando Pó and Annobón remained part of the Territories in the Gulf of Guinea until 1956. In August 1956, the islands became the so-called Overseas Provinces in the Gulf of Guinea. In July 1959, the territory was divided into two provinces, Fernando Pó and Río Muni, officially called Spanish Guinea. Following reunification of the two territories in 1963, the Autonomous Territories of Equatorial Guinea were proclaimed (with joint administration including a national assembly, council of ministers and police). In 1968 the territory became the independent Republic of Equatorial Guinea, with a victorious Francisco Macías Nguema gaining the majority of votes in the country's first presidential elections on 22 September of the same year. Economic problems and ethnic conflicts caused social unrest in spring 1969. Nguema reacted by annulling the constitution. A militia of 2000 men, a one-party system and troops of youngsters supported the military dictatorship. Dictatorial policies led to the flight of an estimated 100,000 refugees to neighbouring countries. In 1979 Macías Nguema was overthrown in a military coup, tried for treason and "crimes against humanity", and executed. Colonel Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who led the coup, then became president and continued with a dictatorship of his own. Parliamentary elections, based on a single list of candidates, were held in 1983 and 1988. Although the first multiparty elections, which brought the ruling party to power again, took place in November 1993, the poll was internationally condemned and boycotted by about 80% of the people that were entitled to vote. Opposition forces had called for the boycott after the Obiang Nguema government had refused to prepare an accurate electoral roll and guarantee the right to campaign without harassment. The latest elections again saw Obiang winning the presidency. Economy The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves has contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Agriculture is another important source of income. The principal export crop is cocoa. Coffee is grown on the mainland, which also produces palm oil and tropical hardwood timber, a leading export article. Cassava and sweet potatoes, rice, bananas, yams, and sorghum are the staple foods. During the time of Spanish colonialism industry was hardly developed. The settlers mainly had plantations on the mainland, which are now abandoned for the most part. Culture The Fang people on the mainland have kept up their traditions, which means that black magic is practised, too. Sorcerers are still among the most important community members. As with nearly all cultures, song and dance are essential in major rituals. Among the most fascinating celebrations is the abira, a ceremony that helps cleanse the community of evil. The traditional balélé dance is also performed on holidays and at Christmas time. Typically dances in Equatorial Guinea are performed to music played by a band of three or four men. The instruments played are drums, wooden xylophones, sanzas (a small thumb piano made from bamboo), bow harps and even zithers.