Saturday, October 13, 2012

Equitorial Guinea- Geography

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is located in west central Africa. Bioko Island lies about 40 kilometers (24.9 mi) from Cameroon. Annobón Island lies about 595 kilometres (370 mi) southwest of Bioko Island. The larger continental region of Rio Muni lies between Cameroon and Gabon on the mainland; it includes the islands of Corisco, Elobey Grande, Elobey Chico, and adjacent islets.


Bioko Island, called Fernando Po until the 1970s, is the largest island in the Gulf of Guinea - 2,017 square kilometers (779 sq mi). It is shaped like a boot, with two large volcanic formations separated by a valley that bisects the island at its narrowest point. The 195-kilometer (121 mi) coastline is steep and rugged in the south but lower and more accessible in the north, with excellent harbors at Malabo and Luba, and several scenic beaches between those towns.

On the continent, Rio Muni covers 26,003 square kilometers (10,040 sq mi). The coastal plain gives way to a succession of valleys separated by low hills and spurs of the Crystal Mountains. The Rio Benito (Mbini) which divides Rio Muni in half, is unnavigable except for a 20-kilometer stretch at its estuary. Temperatures and humidity in Rio Muni are generally lower than on Bioko Island.

Annobon Island, named for its discovery on New Year's Day 1472, is a small volcanic island covering 18 square kilometers (6.9 sq mi). The coastline is abrupt except in the north; the principal volcanic cone contains a small lake. Most of the estimated 1,900 inhabitants are fisherman specializing in traditional, smallscale tuna fishing and whaling. The climate is tropical—heavy rainfall, high humidity, and frequent seasonal changes with violent windstorms.

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon.
INDEPENDENCE DAY OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA

Occasion

October 11, 2012, 9:26pm

TODAY is the Independence Day of Equatorial Guinea commemorating its freedom in 1968. Located in Central Africa, Equatorial Guinea is bordered to the north by Cameroon, to the south and east by Gabon, and to the west by the Gulf of Guinea.
The country comprises two parts: A continental region, which is composed of small offshore islands like Corisco, Elobey Grande, and Elobey Chico; and an insular region which includes Annobon and Bioko islands. The largest and capital city is Malabo.
Equatorial Guinea is the third-smallest country in continental Africa. The country’s population is around 676,000 with Spanish, French, and Portuguese as the official languages. The dominant religion is Christianity, accounting for 93% of the population.
Three main industries contribute to Equatorial Guinea’s economy: Forestry, fishing, and farming. In 1996, the country discovered substantial oil reserves which contribute significantly to government revenues. This discovery made the country the third largest oil producer in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2004.
We congratulate the people and government of Equatorial Guinea led by Their Excellencies, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Prime Minister Vicente Ehate Tomi, First Deputy Prime Minister Clemente Engonga Nguema Onguene, and Vice Presidents Ignacio Milam Tang and Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, on the occasion of its Independence Day. CONGRATULATIONS AND MABUHAY