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Communications

Internet country code [time series]

.gq

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

9 (2009) country comparison to the world: 221

Internet users [time series]

12,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 198

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2001)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: digital fixed-line network in most major urban areas and good mobile coverage domestic: fixed-line density is about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing and in 2008 stood at about 55 percent of the population international: country code - 240; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

10,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 204

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

346,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 165

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

1 (2001)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber

Budget [time series]

revenues: $6.599 billion expenditures: $3.601 billion (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate [time series]

4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 84 5.25% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

NA% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 44 15% (31 December 2007)

Current account balance [time series]

$1.42 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 43 $540.9 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$190 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 180 $338 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993, because of corruption and mismanagement. No longer eligible for concessional financing because of large oil revenues, the government has been trying to agree on a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank and IMF. Government officials and their family members own most businesses. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Growth remained strong in 2008, led by oil.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

26.04 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

28 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Exchange rates [time series]

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.83 (2007), 522.4 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par

Exports [time series]

$13.03 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80 $10.25 billion (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa

Exports - partners [time series]

US 22.7%, Spain 18.2%, China 14.7%, France 7.9%, Italy 6%, South Korea 5.4% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$18.53 billion (2008 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$23 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 114 $20.8 billion (2007 est.) $16.98 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 2.3% industry: 93.7% services: 3.9% (2008 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$37,300 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 29 $34,700 (2007 est.) $29,100 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

10.6% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 22.5% (2007 est.) 1.2% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports [time series]

$3.114 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 138 $2.365 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

petroleum sector equipment, other equipment

Imports - partners [time series]

China 17.7%, Spain 13.3%, US 11.8%, France 10.9%, Cote d'Ivoire 10.4%, Italy 5.5%, UK 5.1% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

11.3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 7

Industries [time series]

petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

7.5% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121 6% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

31.8% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

Labor force [time series]

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

1.5 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84

Natural gas - exports [time series]

5.17 billion cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 27

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Natural gas - production [time series]

6.67 billion cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 45

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Oil - consumption [time series]

1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 197

Oil - exports [time series]

362,900 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Oil - imports [time series]

1,114 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Oil - production [time series]

359,200 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Public debt [time series]

0.9% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126 1.6% of GDP (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$4.431 billion (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 84 $3.846 billion (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) $NA (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of money) [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) $835.2 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of narrow money (Stock of quasi money) [time series]

$NA (31 December 2008) $174.5 million (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate [time series]

30% (1998 est.) country comparison to the world: 181

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 28,051 sq km country comparison to the world: 145 land: 28,051 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate [time series]

tropical; always hot, humid

Coastline [time series]

296 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

tap water is not potable; deforestation

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.11 cu km/yr (83%/16%/1%) per capita: 220 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

2 00 N, 10 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

insular and continental regions widely separated

Irrigated land [time series]

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 4.63% permanent crops: 3.57% other: 91.8% (2005)

Location [time series]

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

violent windstorms; flash floods

Natural resources [time series]

petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay

Terrain [time series]

coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic

Total renewable water resources [time series]

26 cu km (2001)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas

Capital [time series]

name: Malabo geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee equatoriale local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee equatoriale former: Spanish Guinea

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: K-3, Carreterade Aeropuerto, al lado de Restaurante El Paraiso, Malabo; note - relocated embassy is opened for limited functions; inquiries should continue to be directed to the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon mailing address: B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon; US Embassy Yaounde, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520 telephone: [237] 2220-1500 FAX: [237] 2220-1572

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Purificacion ANGUE ONDO chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700 FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup) head of government: Prime Minister Ignacio Milan TANG (since 8 July 2008); cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held 15 December 2002 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president election results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 97.1%, Celestino Bonifacio BACALE 2.2%; elections marred by widespread fraud

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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)

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

12 October 1968 (from Spain)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP (associate), FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Tribunal

Legal system [time series]

partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held 4 May 2008 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 89, EC 10, CPDS 1 note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all executive authority in the president

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 12 October (1968)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MICO Abogo]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE (ruling party) [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO]; Electoral Coalition or EC; Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Avelino MOCACHE]; Popular Union or UP

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

ASODEGUE (Madrid-based pressure group for democratic reform); Global Witness (anti-corruption)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996 and 2002 presidential elections - as well as the 1999 and 2004 legislative elections - were widely seen as flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has discouraged political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves, and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years, there have been few improvements in the population's living standards.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 136,725 females age 16-49: 138,018 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 105,468 females age 16-49: 107,919 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 6,983 female: 6,726 (2009 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2009)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.1% of GDP (2006 est.) country comparison to the world: 172

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age (est.) for compulsory military service; women hold only administrative positions in the Coast Guard (2009)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 41.9% (male 134,823/female 130,308) 15-64 years: 54% (male 167,820/female 174,238) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 11,574/female 14,678) (2009 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

36.52 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 32

Death rate [time series]

9.49 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

0.6% of GDP (2003) country comparison to the world: 181

Ethnic groups [time series]

Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

3.4% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 20

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

370 (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 101

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 81.58 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 18 male: 82.68 deaths/1,000 live births female: 80.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) (1994 census)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 61.61 years country comparison to the world: 180 male: 60.71 years female: 62.54 years (2009 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 87% male: 93.4% female: 80.5% (2000 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever animal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Median age [time series]

total: 18.9 years male: 18.3 years female: 19.6 years (2009 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s) adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean

Net migration rate [time series]

Population [time series]

633,441 (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 165

Population growth rate [time series]

2.703% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Religions [time series]

nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 10 years male: 10 years female: 9 years (2000)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.08 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 27

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 39% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delay final delimitation; UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay

Trafficking in persons [time series]

current situation: Equatorial Guinea is primarily a destination country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and possibly for the purpose of sexual exploitation; children have been trafficked from nearby countries for domestic servitude, market labor, ambulant vending, and possibly sexual exploitation; women may also be trafficked to Equatorial Guinea from Cameroon, Benin, other neighboring countries, and China for sexual exploitation tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Equatorial Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking, particularly in the areas of prosecuting and convicting trafficking offenders and failing to formalize mechanisms to provide assistance to victims; although the government made some effort to enforce laws against child labor exploitation, it failed to report any trafficking prosecutions or convictions in 2007; the government continued to lack shelters or formal procedures for providing care to victims (2008)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

7 (2009) country comparison to the world: 166

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 6 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 1 country comparison to the world: 158 by type: cargo 1 (2008)

Pipelines [time series]

gas 38 km (2008)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Bata, Malabo

Roadways [time series]

total: 2,880 km (2000) country comparison to the world: 167