Long-form name:
Republic of Equatorial Guinea
Type:
republic in transition to multiparty democracy
Capital:
Malabo
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko
Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Independence:
12 October 1968 (from Spain; formerly Spanish Guinea)
Constitution:
new constitution 17 November 1991
Legal system:
partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom
National holiday:
Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Executive branch:
president, prime minister, deputy prime minister, Council of Ministers
(cabinet)
Legislative branch:
unicameral House of Representatives of the People (Camara de Representantes
del Pueblo)
Judicial branch:
Supreme Tribunal
Leaders:
Chief of State:
President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August
1979)
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Cristino SERICHE BIOKO MALABO (since 15 August 1982); Deputy
Prime Minister Isidoro Eyi MONSUY ANDEME (since 15 August 1989)
Political parties and leaders:
only party - Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), Brig. Gen.
(Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO, party leader; multipartyism legalized
in new constitution of November 1991, promulgated January 1992
Suffrage:
universal adult at age NA
Elections:
Chamber of People's Representatives:
last held 10 July 1988 (next to be held 10 July 1993); results - PDGE is the
only party; seats - (41 total) PDGE 41
President:
last held 25 June 1989 (next to be held 25 June 1996); results - President
Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO was reelected without
opposition
Member of:
ACP, AfDB, BDEAC, CEEAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IFAD, ILO,
IMF, IMO, INTERPOL, IOC, ITU, LORCS (associate), NAM, OAS (observer), OAU,
UDEAC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation:
Ambassador Damaso OBIANG NDONG; Chancery (temporary) 57 Magnolia Avenue,
Mount Vernon, NY 10553; telephone (914) 667-9664
US:
Ambassador John E. BENNETT; Embassy at Calle de Los Ministros, Malabo
(mailing address is P.O. Box 597, Malabo); telephone [240] (9) 2185, 2406,
2507; FAX [240] (9) 2164
:Equatorial Guinea Government
Flag:
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red with a blue
isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in
the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars
(representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield
bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto
UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice)
:Equatorial Guinea Economy
Overview:
The economy, destroyed during the regime of former President Macias NGUEMA,
is now based on agriculture, forestry, and fishing, which account for about
half of GDP and nearly all exports. Subsistence agriculture predominates,
with cocoa, coffee, and wood products providing income, foreign exchange,
and government revenues. There is little industry. Commerce accounts for
about 8% of GDP and the construction, public works, and service sectors for
about 38%. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore,
manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Oil exploration, taking place under
concessions offered to US, French, and Spanish firms, has been moderately
successful.
GDP:
exchange rate conversion - $156 million, per capita $400; real growth rate
1.6% (1988 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
3.6% (1990 est.)
Unemployment rate:
NA%
Budget:
revenues $27 million; expenditures $29 million, including capital
expenditures of NA (1990 est.)
Exports:
$37 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
commodities:
coffee, timber, cocoa beans
partners:
Spain 38.2%, Italy 12.2%, Netherlands 11.4%, FRG 6.9%, Nigeria 12.4 (1988)
Imports:
$68.3 million (c.i.f., 1990)
commodities:
petroleum, food, beverages, clothing, machinery
partners:
France 25.9%, Spain 21.0%, Italy 16%, US 12.8%, Netherlands 8%, Germany
3.1%, Gabon 2.9%, Nigeria 1.8 (1988)
External debt:
$213 million (1990)
Industrial production:
growth rate - 6.8% (1990 est.)
Electricity:
23,000 kW capacity; 60 million kWh produced, 160 kWh per capita (1991)
Industries:
fishing, sawmilling
Agriculture:
cash crops - timber and coffee from Rio Muni, cocoa from Bioko; food crops -
rice, yams, cassava, bananas, oil palm nuts, manioc, livestock
Illicit drugs:
transshipment point for illicit drugs from Central and Southwest Asia to
Western Europe
Economic aid:
US commitments, including Ex-Im (FY81-89), $14 million; Western (non-US)
countries, ODA and OOF bilateral commitments (1970-89) $130 million;
Communist countries (1970-89), $55 million
Currency:
Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (plural - francs); 1 CFA franc (CFAF)
= 100 centimes
Exchange rates:
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January
1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54
(1987)
:Equatorial Guinea Economy
Fiscal year: 1 April - 31 March
:Equatorial Guinea Communications
Highways:
Rio Muni - 2,460 km; Bioko - 300 km
Ports:
Malabo, Bata
Merchant marine:
2 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 6,413 GRT/6,699 DWT; includes 1 cargo
and 1 passenger-cargo
Civil air:
1 major transport aircraft
Airports:
3 total, 3 usable; 2 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over
3,659 m; 1 with runways 2,440-3,659 m; 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications:
poor system with adequate government services; international communications
from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; 2,000 telephones;
broadcast stations - 2 AM, no FM, 1 TV; 1 Indian Ocean INTELSAT earth
station
:Equatorial Guinea Defense Forces