EQUATORIAL GUINEA

February is relatively dry. The warmest period is from January through May when the average temperature is 26˚C. The slightly cooler period is from July to October, when the mean annual temperature is 24˚C. The island has recorded extreme temperatures of 16˚C and 39˚C.

Rio Muni has a coastal plain which gives way to a succession of valleys separated by low hills and spurs of the Crystal Mountains. The terrain is mostly made up of forest and woodland.

The climate is very hot and humid.

Equatorial Guinea consists of Isla de Bioko (3˚30'N., 8˚41'E.), formerly known as Macias Nguema Biyogo or Fernando Poo; Pagalu (1˚26'N., 5˚37'E.), formerly known as Annobon; and an enclave on the mainland, formerly known as Rio Muni, which includes the adjacent islets of Corsico, Elobey Grande, and Elobey Chico. The mainland portion of the country is bounded on the N by Cameroon and on the E and S by Gabon.

Much volcanic activity exists on the various islands. In the cultivated areas of the islands, mosquitoes, phalaria flies, and tsetse flies are common up to a height of about 600m. Only sand flies and mosquitoes are encountered in the townships.

Isla de Bioko is the largest island in the Gulf of Guinea. It has two large volcanic formations separated by a valley that bisects the island at its narrowest point. The coast is high in the S part, while lower and more accessible in the N.

The climate is very hot and the island has a very heavy annual rainfall, especially in the S part. The period from April to October is the wettest, while the period from December to

The IALA Buoyage System (Region A) is in effect. See Chart No. 1 for further IALA Buoyage System information.

It was reported (1993) that many lights and navigation aids are unreliable.

Currency

The official unit of currency is the French African Community franc, consisting of 100 centimes.

Government

Equatorial Guinea is a republic. The country is divided into seven provinces.

Equatorial Guinea is governed by a directly-elected President serving a 7-year term. The President appoints a Council of Ministers. The unicameral House of People’s Representatives consists of 80 directly-elected members serving 5- year terms.

Flag of Equatorial Guinea

The legal system is based on Spanish civil law and tribal customs.

The capital is Malabo, located on Isla de Bioko.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed:

Other holidays include Victory Day, Declaration of President Vitalicio S.E. Massie Nguema Biyogo Day, and Ascension of Equatorial Guinea’s Life President Day.

Industries

Cocoa is the principal crop of Isla de Bioko. Mainland products include petroleum, natural gas, timber, coffee, coconuts, copra, palm oil, and bananas.

Languages

Spanish is the official language. Pidgin English and several local dialects are also spoken.

Navigational Information

The maritime territorial claims of Equatorial Guinea are, as follows:

Search and Rescue

The Captain of the Port of Malabo is responsible for coordinating search and rescue operations up to 50 miles off the coast of Equatorial Guinea.

Time Zone

The Time Zone description is ALFA (-1). Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy in Equatorial Guinea reopened in 2003 headed by a U.S. Foreign Services Officer. The U.S. Ambassador to Cameroon, who is also the accredited U.S. Ambassador to Equatorial Guinea, will operate in the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon.

U. S. Embassy Equatorial Guinea Home Page

http://usembassy.state.gov/malabo

The mailing addresses for the U.S. Embassy in Cameroon are, as follows:

1.Cameroon address— P.O. Box 817 Yaounde

2.U.S. address—

American Embassy Yaounde

Department of State

Washington DC 20521-2520

U. S. Embassy Cameroon Home Page

http://yaounde.usembassy.gov

Cautions

Special Warning 121 (Issued 20 March 2003)

Information on Special Warning 121 can be found in Iraq— Cautions.

Special Warning 115 (Issued 5 March 2001)

Information on Special Warning 115 can be found in Iraq— Cautions.

Currency

The official unit of currency is the nafka.

General

Eritrea, located in the NE part of Africa, is bounded on the NE by the Red Sea, on the SE by Djibouti, and on the NW by Sudan. The Dahlak Archipelago, consisting of about 300 small and mostly uninhabited islands, lies close off the coast.

Highlands in the W part of the country descend to a desert strip along the coast.

The climate is hot and dry along the desert strip while the highlands are cooler and wetter. The rain is heaviest between June and September except on the coastal desert. Frequent droughts occur.

Buoyage System

The IALA Buoyage System (Region A) is in effect. See Chart No. 1 for further IALA Buoyage System information.

Government

Flag of Eritrea

Eritrea obtained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993. The government is still in transition. The country is divided into six regions.

Eritrea is governed by a President who is elected by the unicameral 150-member National Assembly. The President appoints ministers to the State Council.

The legal system is based on a decree of May, 1993. The capital is Asmara.

An agreement of July, 1993 gives Ethiopia the right to use the ports of Assab and Massawa.

Languages

Arabic and Tigrinya are the official languages. There are eight other indigenous languages. English is used in secondary education.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed:

Islamic holidays, which are subject to the appearance of the moon, include Eid Al-Fitter (End of Ramadan), Eid Al-Adha (End of Pilgrimage), Hijrah (Islamic New Year), Ashoora, and the Prophet’s Birthday.

Coptic Christian holidays, which are subject to the appearance of the moon, include Coptic Christmas, Epiphany, Good Friday, Coptic Easter, Coptic New Year, and Meskal (Finding of the True Cross).

Industries

The country is basically an agricultural economy, with 80 per cent of the population living in rural areas. Industries include mining, textiles, oil products, leather and hide products, and food processing. Production has been heavily damaged by 30 years of war and reoccurring droughts.

Navigational Information

No information on the maritime claims of Eritrea is available.

Regulations

When entering the territorial waters of Eritrea, vessels may be challenged by naval vessels. Vessels should be prepared to identify themselves by their signal letters or by other means.

It is prohibited to stop, anchor, or lower boats while in Eritrean terrotorial waters.

Vessels arriving at or leaving Eritrean ports are subject to medical inspections.

Search and Rescue

Port Harbormaster offices are responsible for coordinating maritime search and rescue operations.

Time Zone

The Time Zone description is CHARLIE (-3). Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy is situated at Franklin D. Roosevelt Street, Asmara.

The mailing address is P.O. Box 211, Asmara.