festivites
Equatorial Guinea has several holidays and festivities throughout the year, including:
1. Independence Day - celebrated on October 12th to commemorate the country's independence from Spain in 1968. The day is marked with parades, cultural events, and speeches by government officials.
2. New Year's Day - celebrated on January 1st, marking the beginning of the new year with family gatherings, church services, and fireworks.
3. Labor Day - celebrated on May 1st, honoring workers' contributions to society with parades and demonstrations in major cities across the country.
4. Corpus Christi - a religious holiday celebrated 60 days after Easter Sunday, honoring the Catholic belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist through processions and masses.
5. Assumption Day - celebrated on August 15th, a Christian holiday commemorating the Virgin Mary's assumption into heaven. It is marked with masses and processions in churches across the country.
6. Christmas Day - celebrated on December 25th, marking the birth of Jesus Christ with family gatherings, church services, and gift-giving.
These holidays are typically celebrated with traditional food, music, dancing, and other cultural activities that reflect Equatorial Guinea's rich heritage and diverse ethnic groups.
seasons
Equatorial Guinea has two main tourist seasons:
1. Dry season: December to February
- Recommendations: This period is considered the best time to visit Equatorial Guinea due to the dry weather and comfortable temperatures. It's advisable to book accommodations and tours in advance as this is a peak season.
2. Rainy season: March to November
- Recommendations: The rainy season can make travel difficult due to flooded roads and heavy rain, but it also has its advantages. Flora and fauna are more abundant and vibrant during this time, making it a great period for nature enthusiasts. It's important to pack appropriate rain gear and insect repellent, and be prepared for potential travel delays.
visa
Citizens of most countries require a visa to enter Equatorial Guinea. The specific visa rules and fees vary depending on the country of citizenship, but here are some general guidelines:
1. Tourist Visa: This visa is for individuals who wish to visit Equatorial Guinea for tourism purposes. The fee for a tourist visa is typically around $50-$100 USD, and the processing time is usually 5-10 business days.
2. Business Visa: If you plan to travel to Equatorial Guinea for business purposes, you will need a business visa. The fee for a business visa varies depending on the length of stay and the number of entries required. It can cost anywhere from $150 to $300 USD.
3. Work Visa: To work in Equatorial Guinea, you must obtain a work visa. This type of visa requires sponsorship from an employer in Equatorial Guinea. The cost of a work visa can range from $300 to $500 USD.
4. Transit Visa: If you are passing through Equatorial Guinea on your way to another destination, you may need a transit visa. The fee for a transit visa is typically around $50 USD.
Please note that these fees are approximate and subject to change. It's always best to check with the nearest Equatorial Guinea embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information on visa requirements and fees.
souvenirs
Some popular souvenirs to buy from Equatorial Guinea include:
1. Traditional Handicrafts: such as wooden masks, sculptures, and woven baskets. Prices vary depending on the item, but expect to pay around $20-$50 for a small sculpture or mask. You can buy them at local markets in Malabo and Bata.
2. Local Fabrics: colorful fabrics with traditional designs are also popular souvenirs. The price ranges from $10 to $40 depending on the size and complexity of the design. You can buy them at markets and shops in Malabo and Bata.
3. Coffee and Cocoa: Equatorial Guinea is known for its coffee and cocoa production. A bag of coffee costs around $5-$10, while a bag of cocoa costs around $7-$15. You can buy them at local markets or supermarkets.
4. Traditional Clothing: brightly colored clothing made from local fabrics makes an excellent souvenir. The price varies depending on the item, but expect to pay between $30-$100. They can be purchased at markets and shops in Malabo and Bata.
5. Jewelry: handmade jewelry from natural materials like seeds, shells, and beads is another popular souvenir. Prices range from $10-$50, depending on the item's complexity. They can be found at markets and shops in Malabo and Bata.
Note that prices may vary depending on the location and vendor, so it's always good to haggle and compare prices before making a purchase.
If you have 1 week
Equatorial Guinea is a beautiful country rich in culture, nature, and history. Here's a one week itinerary suggestion for you:
Day 1: Visit Malabo
Start your trip by exploring the capital city of Malabo. You can visit Independence Square, which has a statue of the country's first president, Macias Nguema. You should also check out the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Isabel, which was built during the Spanish colonial era.
Day 2: Explore Bioko Island
Bioko Island is a great destination for nature lovers. You can go on a hike in the Pico Malabo National Park, where you can see unique flora and fauna species that are endemic to the island. You can also take a boat tour from Luba to see whales, dolphins, and sea turtles up close.
Day 3: Discover Annobon Island
Annobon Island is another beautiful destination in Equatorial Guinea. It's a perfect spot for scuba diving and snorkeling as it has crystal clear waters and colorful coral reefs. You can also explore the island's volcanic landscapes and learn about its history.
Day 4: Visit Bata
Bata is the second-largest city in Equatorial Guinea and a bustling hub of commerce and culture. You can visit the El Paraiso Cultural Center, which is home to several museums showcasing the country's art and history. You can also stroll through the Mercado de Mbini, the largest market in the city, to experience the local atmosphere.
Day 5: Go on a Safari in Monte Alén National Park
Monte Alén National Park is a great place to experience the wildlife of Equatorial Guinea. You can go on a safari and spot various animals like forest elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees, and several bird species. The park is also home to several waterfalls and hiking trails that you can explore.
Day 6: Relax on the Beach
Equatorial Guinea has several beautiful beaches where you can relax and soak up the sun. You can visit Arena Blanca Beach or Luba Beach, both of which have white sand and clear waters. You can also try some water sports like surfing, paddleboarding, or kayaking.
Day 7: Indulge in Local Cuisine
No trip to Equatorial Guinea is complete without trying the local cuisine. You can sample dishes like chicken stew with plantains, grilled fish with spicy sauce, or cassava bread. You can also visit a cocoa farm and learn about the country's chocolate-making traditions.
I hope you enjoy your week in Equatorial Guinea, discovering the beauty and diversity of this unique country.
If you have 2 weeks
Equatorial Guinea, what a beautiful country! For your two week itinerary, I suggest you start by exploring Malabo, the capital city. You can visit the Malabo Cathedral, which is a stunning example of Spanish colonial architecture. After that, take a stroll through the picturesque streets of the city and enjoy the local cuisine, including grilled fish and plantains.
Next, head to the island of Bioko and visit the Pico Basile National Park, which is home to Mount Pico Basile, the highest peak in Equatorial Guinea. The park has spectacular views, lush vegetation, and wildlife such as primates, birds, and antelopes. You can hike to the summit of Pico Basile for an unforgettable experience.
Another must-visit location in Equatorial Guinea is the Carambola Botanical Gardens on the island of São Tomé. This UNESCO World Heritage site is full of exotic plants, flowers, and trees that are unique to the region. The gardens also offer guided tours and workshops on traditional medicine, making it a very educational experience.
If you're interested in history, then the Fort of San Carlos in Luba is a great place to visit. Built by the Spanish in the 18th century, this fortress played a significant role in the slave trade era. You can take a tour of the fort to learn more about its history and its importance in shaping the country's past.
Finally, end your trip with a relaxing beach vacation at Arena Blanca. Located on Annobón Island, this secluded beach offers crystal clear waters, white sand, and fantastic snorkeling opportunities. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the coastline or simply relax in the sun and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
These are just a few suggestions for your two weeks in Equatorial Guinea. Each location has something unique to offer, from breathtaking natural landscapes to rich cultural experiences. Regardless of where you go, I'm sure you will have an amazing time exploring this beautiful country!
Culture
In June 1984, the First Hispanic-African Cultural Congress was convened to explore the cultural identity of Equatorial Guinea. The congress constituted the center of integration and the marriage of the Hispanic culture with African cultures.
Equatorial Guinea currently has no UNESCO World Heritage Site or tentative sites for the World Heritage List. The country also has no documented heritage listed in the Memory of the World Programme of UNESCO nor any intangible cultural heritage listed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Tourist attractions are the colonial quarter in Malabo, the southern part of the island Bioko where you can hike to the Iladyi cascades and to remote beaches to watch nesting turtles, Bata with its shoreline Paseo Maritimo and the tower of liberty, Mongomo with its basilica (the second largest Catholic church in Africa) and the new planned and built capital Ciudad de la Paz.
The principal means of communication within Equatorial Guinea are 3 state-operated FM radio stations. BBC World Service, Radio France Internationale and Gabon-based Africa No 1 broadcast on FM in Malabo. There is also an independent radio option called Radio Macuto, the voice of the voiceless. Radio Macuto is a web-based radio and news source known for publishing news that call out Obiang's regime and call for the mobilisation of the ecuatoguinean community to exercise freedom of speech and engage in politics. There are also five shortwave radio stations. Television Nacional, the television network, is state operated. The international TV programme RTVGE is available via satellites in Africa, Europa, and the Americas and worldwide via Internet. There are two newspapers and two magazines.
Equatorial Guinea ranks at position 161 out of 179 countries in the 2012 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index. The watchdog says the national broadcaster obeys the orders of the information ministry. Most of the media companies practice self-censorship, and are banned by law from criticising public figures. The state-owned media and the main private radio station are under the directorship of the president's son, Teodor Obiang.
Landline telephone penetration is low, with only two lines available for every 100 persons. There is one GSM mobile telephone operator, with coverage of Malabo, Bata, and several mainland cities. , approximately 40% of the population subscribed to mobile telephone services. The only telephone provider in Equatorial Guinea is Orange.
There were more than 42,000 internet users by December 2011.
There is little popular music coming out of Equatorial Guinea. Pan-African styles like soukous and makossa are popular, as are reggae and rock and roll. Acoustic guitar bands based on a Spanish model are the country's best-known indigenous popular tradition.
In 2014 the South African-Dutch-Equatorial Guinean drama film Where the Road Runs Out was shot in the country. There is also the documentary The Writer From a Country Without Bookstores, that has still to be internationally premiered. It focuses on one of Equatorial Guinea's most translated writers Juan Tomás Ávila Laurel. It is the first feature film openly critical of Obiang's regime.
Equatorial Guinea was chosen to co-host the 2012 African Cup of Nations in partnership with Gabon, and hosted the 2015 edition. The country was also chosen to host the 2008 Women's African Football Championship, which they won. The women's national team qualified for the 2011 World Cup in Germany.
In June 2016, Equatorial Guinea was chosen to host the 12th African Games in 2019.
Equatorial Guinea is famous for the swimmers Eric Moussambani, nicknamed "Eric the Eel", and Paula Barila Bolopa, "Paula the Crawler", who attended the 2000 Summer Olympics.
Basketball has been increasing in popularity.
Religion
The principal religion in Equatorial Guinea is Christianity, the faith of 93% of the population. Roman Catholics make up the majority (88%), while a minority are Protestants (5%). 2% of the population follows Islam (mainly Sunni). The remaining 5% practise Animism, Baháʼí, and other beliefs, and traditional animist beliefs are often mixed with Catholicism.
Demographics
The majority of the people of Equatorial Guinea are of Bantu origin. The largest ethnic group, the Fang, is indigenous to the mainland, but substantial migration to Bioko Island since the 20th century means the Fang population exceeds that of the earlier Bubi inhabitants. The Fang constitute 80% of the population and comprise around 67 clans. Those in the northern part of Río 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 Bubi, who constitute 15% of the population, are indigenous to Bioko Island. The traditional demarcation line between Fang and 'Beach' (inland) ethnic groups was the village of Niefang (limit of the Fang), east of Bata.
Coastal ethnic groups, 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 comprise 5% of the population. Europeans (largely of Spanish or Portuguese descent, some with partial African ancestry) also live in the country, but most ethnic Spaniards left after independence.
A growing number of foreigners from neighboring Cameroon, Nigeria, and Gabon have immigrated to the country. According to the Encyclopedia of the Stateless Nations (2002) 7% of Bioko islanders were Igbo, an ethnic group from southeastern Nigeria. Equatorial Guinea received Asians and native 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 Guinea has also been a destination for fortune-seeking European immigrants from Britain, France and Germany. Israelis and Moroccans also live and work here. Oil extraction since the 1990s has contributed to a doubling of the population in Malabo. 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 found in Latin America, the United States, Portugal, and France.
Since its independence in 1968, the main official language of Equatorial Guinea has been Spanish (the local variant is Equatoguinean Spanish), which acts as a lingua franca among its different ethnic groups. In 1970, during Macías' rule, Spanish was replaced by Fang, the language of its majority ethnic group, to which Macías belonged. That decision was reverted in 1979 after Macías' fall. Spanish remained as its lone official language until 1998, when French was added as its second one, as it had previously joined the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC), whose founding members are French-speaking nations, two of them (Cameroon and Gabon) surrounding its continental region. Portuguese was adopted as its third official language in 2010. Spanish has been an official language since 1844. It is still the language of education and administration. 67.6% of Equatorial Guineans can speak it, especially those living in the capital, Malabo. French was only made official in order to join the Francophonie and it is not locally spoken, except in some border towns.
Aboriginal languages are recognised as integral parts of the "national culture" (Constitutional Law No. 1/1998 21 January). Indigenous languages (some of them creoles) include Fang, Bube, Benga, Ndowe, Balengue, Bujeba, Bissio, Gumu, Igbo, Pichinglis, Fa d'Ambô and the nearly extinct Baseke. Most African ethnic groups speak Bantu languages.
Fa d'Ambô, a Portuguese creole, has vigorous use in Annobón Province, in Malabo (the capital), and among some speakers in Equatorial Guinea's mainland. Many residents of Bioko can also speak Spanish, particularly in the capital, and the local trade language Pichinglis, an English-based creole. Spanish is not spoken much in Annobón. In government and education Spanish is used. Noncreolized Portuguese is used as a liturgical language by local Catholics. The Annobonese ethnic community tried to gain membership in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). The government financed an Instituto Internacional da Língua Portuguesa (IILP) sociolinguistic study in Annobón. It documented strong links with the Portuguese creole populations in São Tomé and Príncipe, Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau.
Due to historical and cultural ties, in 2010 the legislature amended article four of the Constitution of Equatorial Guinea, to establish Portuguese as an official language of the Republic. This was an effort by the government to improve its communications, trade, and bilateral relations with Portuguese-speaking countries. It also recognises long historical ties with Portugal, and with Portuguese-speaking peoples of Brazil, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Cape Verde.
Some of the motivations for Equatorial Guinea's pursuit of membership in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) included access to several professional and academic exchange programmes and facilitated cross-border circulation of citizens. The adoption of Portuguese as an official language was the primary requirement to apply for CPLP acceptance. In addition, the country was told it must adopt political reforms allowing effective democracy and respect for human rights. The national parliament discussed this law in October 2011.
In February 2012, Equatorial Guinea's foreign minister signed an agreement with the IILP on the promotion of Portuguese in the country.
In July 2012, the CPLP refused Equatorial Guinea full membership, primarily because of its continued serious violations of human rights. The government responded by legalising political parties, declaring a moratorium on the death penalty, and starting a dialog with all political factions. Additionally, the IILP secured land from the government for the construction of Portuguese language cultural centres in Bata and Malabo. At its tenth summit in Dili in July 2014, Equatorial Guinea was admitted as a CPLP member. Abolition of the death penalty and the promotion of Portuguese as an official language were preconditions of the approval.
The principal religion in Equatorial Guinea is Christianity, the faith of 93% of the population. Roman Catholics make up the majority (88%), while a minority are Protestants (5%). 2% of the population follows Islam (mainly Sunni). The remaining 5% practise Animism, Baháʼí, and other beliefs, and traditional animist beliefs are often mixed with Catholicism.
Equatorial Guinea's innovative malaria programs in the early 21st century achieved success in reducing malaria infection, disease, and mortality. Their program consists of twice-yearly indoor residual spraying (IRS), the introduction of artemisinin combination treatment (ACTs), the use of intermittent preventive treatment in pregnant women (IPTp), and the introduction of very high coverage with long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets (LLINs). Their efforts resulted in a reduction in all-cause under-five mortality from 152 to 55 deaths per 1,000 live births (down 64%), a sharp drop that coincided with the launch of the program.
In June 2014 four cases of polio were reported, the country's first outbreak of the disease.
Among sub-Saharan African countries, Equatorial Guinea has one of the highest literacy rates. According to The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency as of 2015, 95.3% of the population age 15 and over can read and write in Equatorial Guinea were respectively literate. Under Francisco Macias, education was neglected, and few children received any type of education. Under President Obiang, the illiteracy rate dropped from 73% to 13%, and the number of primary school students rose from 65,000 in 1986 to more than 100,000 in 1994. Education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 14.
The Equatorial Guinea government has partnered with Hess Corporation and The Academy for Educational Development (AED) to establish a $20 million education program for primary school teachers to teach modern child development techniques. There are now 51 model schools whose active pedagogy will be a national reform.
In recent years, with change in the economic and political climate and government social agendas, several cultural dispersion and literacy organizations have been founded, chiefly with the financial support of the Spanish government. The country has one university, the Universidad Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial (UNGE), with a campus in Malabo and a Faculty of Medicine located in Bata on the mainland. In 2009 the university produced the first 110 national doctors. The Bata Medical School is supported principally by the government of Cuba and staffed by Cuban medical educators and physicians.
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