Equatorial+Guinea+Cracco

 Equatorial Guinea
__**Flag**__ The blue triangle on the left side of the flag stands for the ocean which connects the islands to the mainland. The red band stands for the fight of Independence. The green band stands for the jungle and the country's resources. The white band in the middle stands for peace. In the middle of the white band is the Equatorial Guinean coat of arms. The coat of arms includes a silver shield with a silk-cotton tree in the middle. Above the shield is six gold stars which represents the mainland and the five offshore islands. Below the shield is a scroll with words Unity, Peace and Justice written in Spanish (One of the country's main languages). **__People:__** Population: 633,441 Growth Rate: 2.703% annually    Languages: The official languages is Spanish and French. Others include Pidgin English, Fang, Bubi and Ibo. Ethnic Groups: The ethnic group Fang dominates the mainland in population and politics. The group Bubi has the population of 50,000 people who live mostly on Bioko Island. The Annobonese of the Island of Annobon have a population of 3,000. Other groups include Ndowe and Kombe (3,000 each) Bujebas (2,000), Europeans (2,000, mostly French and Spanish). Equatorial Guinea also has pygmies, a Lebanese community, Filipinos and the a growing group of Chinese. Religion: Christian, Roman Catholic, Animism and traditional African beliefs. Life expectancy: Men (60.71 years) Women (62.54 years) HIV/AIDS: 11,000 people living with it. Education: Primary school compulsory 6-12, attendance is 90% Adult Literacy: 87%  **__Government:__**  Independence: Equatorial Guinea received its independence from Spain on October 12, 1968. Capital: Malabo Government Type: Republic President: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo ( gained power in 1979 in a military coup) Prime Minister: Ignacio Milam Tang Elections: the president is elected by popular vote for a seven year term. The prime minister and cabinet is elected by the president. The voting age is 18. Political Parties: Convergence Party for Social Democracy Democratic Party Electorial Coalition Popular Union __**Economy:**__ Equatorial Guinea is a rich with natural resources. The country has seen growth due to the discovery of oil, but suffered when oil prices dropped. With the success of oil came the toll on agriculture which is mismanaged. Organizations have to tried to help but failed due to corruption. Monetary Unit: 1 CFA franc Equatorial Guinea is a strictly cash economy, credit cards and checks do not exist and cannot be used inside the country. Unemployment rate: 30%  Inflation: 7.5%  Agriculture Exports: coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, tapioca, bananas, palm oil nuts, livestock and timber   Industries:  Oil, petroleum, fishing, saw-milling and natural gas. Imports: $3.346 billion  __**Time Line:**__  1471- Portuguese navigator Fernando de Po finds the island of Fernando Poo, now the island of Biloko. 1777- The country becomes Spain's source of slaves. 1904- Fernando Poo and Rio Muni become western African territories, later named Spanish Guinea. 1968- Spanish Guinea becomes independent. Renamed Equatorial Guinea. Fransisco Macias Nguema is president. 1972- Fransisco Nguema becomes president for life. 1979- Fransisco Nguema is overthrown by Theodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in a military coup. 1996- Mobil oil company discovered large oil reserves. 1998- The Military Tribunal sentences 15 people to death for attacking Biloko island. 2001- Economy grows fast due to oil. 2002- 68 people arrested for 20 years for plotting a coup. 2004- Crackdown on immigrants, many are deported. 2005- 55 people are killed in aircraft near Malabo. 2009- President Obiang wins elections again. 2010- Four Coup plotters are executed after being found guilty. **__Geography:__**   Location: Western Africa Geographic Coordinations: 2 0 0 N, 10 0 0 E Total Area: 28,051 square km (Slightly smaller than the state of Maryland) Coastline: 296 km Climate: Tropical Geographical Terrain: Coastal plains rise and volcanic islands. Highest and lowest point: Lowest (Atlantic Ocean 0m) Highest (Pico Basile 3,008m) Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel and clay. __**Health and Safety:**__ Human trafficking: Equatorial Guinea has been having a recent human trafficking problem. Children are bought and sold for sex or labor. Equatorial Guinea is a transport zone. Drugs: Drugs are not a major issue in the mainland, but some islands are used as a port for cocaine smuggling. Crime: American tourists are not targeted and violent crime is very low. Vandalism and mugging are common and tourists should be take caution. **__Works Cited:__** Health and Safety Information: [] Maps: [] Cocaine picture: [] Timeline: [] Demographics: []