Equatorial Guinea: Difference between revisions

The first inhabitants of the region that is now Equatorial Guinea are believed to have been Pygmies, of whom only isolated pockets remain in northern Rio Muni. Bantu migrations between the 17th and 19th centuries brought the coastal tribes and later the Fang. Elements of the latter may have generated the Bubi, who emigrated to Bioko from Cameroon and Rio Muni in several waves and succeeded former neolithic populations. The Annobon population, native to Angola, was introduced by the Portuguese via Sao Tome.

The Portuguese explorer, Fernando Po (Fernão do Poo), seeking a route to India, is credited with having discovered the island of Bioko in 1471. He called it Flor Formosa ("pretty flower"), but it quickly took on the name of its European discoverer. The islands of Fernando Póo and Annobón were colonized by the Portuguese in 1474. The Portuguese retained control until 1778, when the island, adjacent islets, and commercial rights to the mainland between the Niger and Ogoue Rivers were ceded to Spain in exchange for territory in South America (Treaty of El Pardo). From 1827 to 1843, Britain established a base on the island to combat the slave trade. The mainland portion, Rio Muni, became a protectorate in 1885 and a colony in 1900. Conflicting claims to the mainland were settled in 1900 by the Treaty of Paris, and periodically, the mainland territories were united administratively under Spanish rule. Between 1926 and 1959 they were united as the colony of Spanish Guinea.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Equatorial Guinea

The 1982 constitution of Equatorial Guinea gives the President extensive powers, including naming and dismissing members of the cabinet, making laws by decree, dissolving the Chamber of Representatives, negotiating and ratifying treaties and calling legislative elections. The President retains his role as commander in chief of the armed forces and minister of defense, and he maintains close supervision of the military activity. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and operates under powers designated by the President. The Prime Minister coordinates government activities in areas other than foreign affairs, national defense and security.

List of Presidents of Equatorial Guinea

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is divided into seven provinces:-


	(provincial capital)
Provincia Annobón	Palé
Provincia Bioko Norte	Malabo
Provincia Bioko Sur	Luba
Provincia Centro Sur	Evinayong
Provincia Kié-Ntem	Ebebiyín
Provincia Litoral	Bata
Provincia Wele-Nzas	Mongomo

Geography

Main article: Geography of Equatorial Guinea

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is located in west central Africa. Bioko Island lies about 40 kilometers (25 mi.) from Cameroon. Annobón Island lies about 595 kilometers (370 mi.) southwest of Bioko Island. The larger continental region of Rio Muni lies between Cameroon and Gabon on the mainland; it includes the islands of Corisco, Elobey Grande, Elobey Chico, and adjacent islets.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Equatorial Guinea

The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings (in 1959 it had the highest per capita income of Africa), the deterioration of the rural economy under successive brutal regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth.

Despite a per capita income of more than US$6,000 per year, Equatorial Guinea ranks 109th out of 177 on the United Nations Human Development Index.

In July 2004, the U.S. Senate published an investigation into Riggs Bank, a Washington-based bank into which most of Equatorial Guinea's oil revenues were paid until recently. This 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.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Equatorial Guinea

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 Fang dominance over the earlier Bantu inhabitants. The Fang constitute 80% of the population and are themselves divided into 67 clans. Those in the northern part of Rio Muni speak Fang-Ntumu, while those in the south speak Fang-Okah; the two dialects are mutually unintelligible. The Bubi, who constitute 15% of the population, are indigenous to Bioko Island. In addition, there are coastal tribes, sometimes referred to as "Playeros": Ndowes, Bujebas, Balengues, and Bengas on the mainland and small islands, and "Fernandinos", a Creole community, on Bioko. Together, these groups comprise 5% of the population. There is a growing number of foreigners from neighboring Cameroon, Nigeria and Gabon. In 2001, there were about 280 Americans residing in Equatorial Guinea.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Equatorial Guinea

List of writers from Equatorial Guinea

Miscellaneous topics

This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook. CIA.

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 <tr><td align="center" colspan=2 style="border-bottom:3px solid gray;"><font size="-1">''National [[motto]]: Unidad, Paz, Justicia (Unity, Peace, Justice)''</font></td></tr>
 <tr><td align=center colspan=2>[[Image:LocationEquatorialGuinea.png|Location of Equatorial Guinea]]</td></tr>
+<tr><td align=center colspan=2>[[Image:Equatorial_Guinea.gif|Equatorial Guinea]]</td></tr>
 <tr><td>[[Official language]]             </td><td>[[Spanish language|Spanish]], [[French language|French]] </td></tr>
 <tr><td>[[Capital]]                       </td><td>[[Malabo]]</td></tr>