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Region: Africa
Full Name: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
Capital City: Malabo
Language Spoken: Spanish (official), French (official),pidgin English, Fang, Bubi, Ibo
Get travel insurance to Equatorial Guinea from Direct Travel Insurance. We offer low cost and high quality travel insurance to Equatorial Guinea and most of the world.
2 00 N, 10 00 E
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m
total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km
violent windstorms, flash floods
petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay
arable land: 4.63% permanent crops: 3.57% other: 91.8% (2005)
tap water is not potable; deforestation
Tropical climate all year round. Rainfall is heavy for most of the year, decreasing slightly in most areas between December and February. Required clothing Lightweight cottons and linens. Waterproofing is necessary.
time difference: UTC+1
540,109 (July 2006 est.)
0-14 years: 41.7% (male 113,083/female 111,989) 15-64 years: 54.5% (male 141,914/female 152,645) 65 years and over: 3.8% (male 8,886/female 11,592) (2006 est.)
total: 18.8 years male: 18.2 years female: 19.4 years (2006 est.)
2.05% (2006 est.)
35.59 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
15.06 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.77 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
total population: 49.54 years male: 48 years female: 51.13 years (2006 est.)
4.55 children born/woman (2006 est.)
Business meetings are somewhat informal. Foreign visitors (especially Europeans) are a comparative rarity in Equatorial Guinea A knowledge of Spanish is useful. Foreign cigarettes are appreciated as gifts. Offices are are generally 0800-1600, however long lunches are usual.
Violent crime is rare and the overall level of criminal activity is low. In Malabo, this is both due to the isolation of Bioko Island, on which the city stands, and a high security presence in the city. French diplomats reported in late 2004, however, that there has been an increase in armed aggressions, armed robberies, residential break-ins and assaults. These remain relatively uncommon, however, and most street crime is petty theft or scams. Travelers should not wear or carry anything they are not willing to lose, and if confronted by a criminal, should not offer resistance. Do not walk after dark, and be very alert when leaving restaurants or bars. Criminals target Westerners for their relative affluence. Civil disturbances have occurred in the mainland city of Bata.
Malabo, Bata and Ebebiyan each offer three hotels of variable standards. There is one hotel in Luba. Security at all hotels is lax by Western standards.
Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 240. Operator assistance may be required when making international calls from the country.
is 220/240 volts AC. Electricity 220/240 volts AC.
C,E
There are few restaurants in Equatorial Guinea and those that exist are mainly restricted to Malabo and Bata and do not necessarily open every day. Most restaurants serve Spanish or continental cuisine. Beer is usually expensive.
National drinks: Malamba (local sugar cane brew).
Tipping:Unless service charges are added to bills, 10 to 15 per cent.
Nightlife: There is little nightlife except in Malabo and Bata where there are outdoor bars and lively nightclubs.
Passport valid for a minimum of six months required by all.
Carry copies of appropriate documentation at all times.
Required by all except nationals of the USA.
Tourist, Business and Transit: ?100.
Enquire at Embassy (or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information.
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information.
(a) Passport valid for at least six months after return date (and photocopy). (b) One completed application form. (c) Two passport-size color photos. (d) Original copy of return ticket or proof of confirmed airline reservation. (e) Yellow fever vaccination certificate. (f) Fee, payable in cash, money order or company cheque. (g) Self-addressed, stamped envelope for postal applications. Tourist: (a)-(g) and, (h) Proof of hotel booking. Business: (a)-(g) and, (h) Letter of invitation from the company in Equatorial Guinea declaring responsibility for the applicant. Private: (a)-(g) and, (h) Letter of invitation, stamped by the Director General of Security in Marabo. Transit: (a)-(g) and, (h) Valid visa for the destination country.
48 hours (shorter if application is urgent; longer in exceptional circumstances or if applying by post).
No Test Required
None
13 Park Place, St James's, London SW1A 1LP, UK
Tel: (020) 7499 6867.
Website: http://embassyofequatorialguinea.co.uk/
2020 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 518 5700.
Website: https://www.egembassydc.com/
Travelers wishing to travel outside Malabo on the island of Bioko, or outside Bata on the mainland, will need to inform the Protocol Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Francophonie in advance.
The threat from terrorism is low, but you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:
Tel: (0845) 850 2829.
Website: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
CFA (Communaut? Financiaire Africaine) Franc (CFAfr or XAF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XAF10,000, 5000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XAF500, 100, 50, 25, 10 and 5.
The import of local and foreign currency is unrestricted provided declared on arrival. The export of local currency is limited to XAF50,000. The export of foreign currency is limited to the amount declared on arrival. It is worth remembering that CFA Franc notes cannot easily be exchanged outside the CFA Franc area.
Mon-Sat 0800-1200.
Equatorial Guinea is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (Bank of West African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro. Foreign currencies are best exchanged at banks, of which, however, there are few. Receipts for currency exchange should be retained.
Equatorial Guinea has a strictly cash-only economy. Credit cards and cheques are not accepted. ATMs are not available.
Most businesses do not accept traveller's cheques.
| City/Region | City/Area code | Followed by |
|---|---|---|
| Bata (Continent) | 08 | + 4 digits |
| Malabo (Bioko Island) | 09 | + 4 digits |
| Malabo (Continent) | 07 | + 4 digits |
There is little or no dental care available in Equatorial Guinea
There is little medication available. Some drugs are available from the French Pharmacy in Malabo
Blood supplies should be considered as unsafe in Equatorial Guinea
Medical facilities are extremely limited. Many medicines are unavailable. Doctors and hospitals often require immediate payment for health services.
Recent medical and dental exams should ensure that the traveler is in good health. Carry appropriate health and accident insurance documents and copies of any important medical records. Bring an adequate supply of all prescription and other medications as well as any necessary personal hygiene items, including a spare pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if necessary. Drink only bottled beverages (including water) or beverages made with boiled water. Do not use ice cubes or eat raw seafood, rare meat or dairy products. Eat well-cooked foods while they are still hot and fruits that can be peeled without contamination. Avoid roadside stands and street vendors. Swim only in well-maintained, chlorinated pools or ocean water known to be free from pollution; avoid freshwater lakes, streams and rivers. Wear clothing which reduces exposed skin and apply repellents containing DEET to remaining areas. Sleep in well-screened accommodations. Carry anti-diarrheal medication. Reduce problems related to sun exposure by using sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, sunscreen lotions and lip protection.
AIDS occurs. Blood supply may not be adequately screened and/or single-use, disposable needles and syringes may be unavailable. When possible, travelers should defer medical treatment until reaching a facility where safety can be assured.
Hepatitis A: Consider active immunization with hepatitis A vaccine or passive immunization with immune globulin (IG) for all susceptible travelers. Especially consider choosing active immunization for persons planning to reside for a long period or for persons who take frequent short-term trips to risk areas. The importance of protection against hepatitis A increases as length of stay increases. It is particularly important for persons who will be living in or visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons (especially young children) in settings with poor sanitary conditions. Hepatitis B: Vaccination is advised for health care workers, persons anticipating direct contact with blood from or sexual contact with inhabitants, and persons planning extended stays of 6 months or greater (especially those who anticipate using local health care facilities, staying in rural areas, or having intimate contact with the local population). Polio: A one-time booster dose is recommended for travelers who have previously completed a standard course of polio immunization. Refer to CDC guidelines for vaccinating unimmunized or incompletely immunized persons. Pregnancy is a relative contraindication to vaccination; however, if protection is needed, either IPV or OPV may be used, depending on preference and time available. Rabies: Preexposure vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 30 days who are expected to be at risk to bites from domestic and/or wild animals (particularly dogs), or for persons engaged in high risk activities such as spelunking or animal handling. Need for vaccination is more important if potential exposure is in rural areas and if adequate postexposure care is not readily available. Typhoid: Vaccination should be considered for persons staying longer than 3 weeks, adventurous eaters, and those who will venture off the usual tourist routes into small cities, villages and rural areas. Importance of vaccination increases as access to reasonable medical care becomes limited. Contraindications depend on vaccine type. Yellow fever: Vaccination is recommended for travelers over 9 months of age going outside of urban areas. Note: All routine vaccines (such as DTP or Td, Hib, MMR, polio, varicella, influenza and pneumococcal) should be kept up-to-date as a matter of good health practice unrelated to travel.
Insect-borne diseases: are major causes of illness. Many diseases, including yellow fever, are endemic, with only scattered cases being reported and, from time to time, more extensive outbreaks. Filariasis - prevalent Leishmaniasis - occurs (both cutaneous and visceral types may be found, particularly in the drier areas) Loiasis - prevalent Malaria - prevalent Relapsing fever - occurs Typhus - occurs (louse-, flea-, and tick-borne types occur) Food-borne and water-borne illness: highly endemic. The dysenteries and diarrheal diseases, giardiasis, the typhoid fevers and viral hepatitis are widespread. Echinococcosis (hydatid disease) is widespread in animal-breeding areas. Guinea-worm infection - occurs Helminthic (parasitic worm) infections - prevalent Schistosomiasis - common Other hazards: Diseases such as measles and diphtheria are commonly reported. Polio is still considered a possible risk, although cases have rarely been reported in recent years. Influenza risk extends throughout the year. Rabies - occurs Trachoma - prevalent
Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers coming from infected areas.
No recent disease outbreaks
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Clinic of Dr. Wright | P.O.Box 12 Aelaguema Malabo |
The main broadcasters are state-controlled. There are a few private newspapers and underground pamphlets that publish irregularly. Mild criticism of public institutions is allowed but criticism of the leadership is not tolerated and self-censorship is widespread. Press: Spanish language weekly publications include Hoja Parroquial and El Sol, produced in Equatorial Guinea. There is also the state-owned Ebano and the privately-owned La Naci?n and La Opini?n.
TV: La Naci?n and La Opini?n are private stations. Ebano is a state-owned station.
Radio: Radio France Internationale is available on FM in Malabo. Radio Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial is a state-run station and Radio Asonga is privately owned by the son of the country's President.
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