Customs and customs in Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea (Spanish: República de Guinea Ecuatorial) is located in central and western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean in the west, Cameroon in the north, and Gabon in the east and south. It consists of the Muni River area on the mainland and the islands of Bioko, Anoben, and Korisco in the Gulf of Guinea. The Muni River area is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, Cameroon in the north, and Gabon in the east and south. It covers an area of 28,051.46 square kilometers (including 26,017.46 square kilometers for the mainland and 2034 square kilometers for the islands). The total population is approximately 1.22 million (statistics in 2016). The main tribes are the Fang people (accounting for approximately 75% of the population), who are distributed on the mainland, and the Bubi people (accounting for approximately 15% of the population), who live on the island of Bioko. The official language is Spanish, French is the second official language, and the national languages are mainly Fang and Bubi.

Equatorial Guinea has a coastline of 482 kilometers long. The coast is a long and narrow plain with straight coastline and few harbors. The inland is a plateau, generally 500- 1,000 meters above sea level. The Central Mountains divide the Muni River area into the Benito River in the north and the Utamboni River basins in the south. Each island is a volcanic island, an extension of the Cameroonian volcano in the Gulf of Guinea. There are many extinct volcanoes on the island of Bioko, and the Stibel Peak in the middle is 3,007 meters above sea level, making it the highest point in the country. Each island is formed by volcanoes and has a rugged terrain, with a highest point of 3,007 meters; some coastal areas of the mainland have plains 15-25 kilometers wide, and the inland are plateau mountains with an altitude of 600-900 meters.

Equatorial Guinea has an equatorial rainforest climate, which is humid, rainy and cloudy, with an average annual temperature of 24 - 26℃. The average annual rainfall in mainland coastal areas is 2,112.6 mm, the average annual rainfall days are 152 days, the maximum daily rainfall is 144 mm, and the hourly rainstorm intensity is 23.5 mm; the annual temperature changes between 15 degrees Celsius and 32 degrees Celsius; The annual average relative humidity is 88.8%; The average annual sunshine is 5 hours, and the average sunshine in January and February is the longest, more than 6 hours; the average sunshine in September and October is the shortest, within 4 hours.​

The

is divided into 7 provinces, 18 districts and 30 cities across the country. The names of the seven provinces are: Litoral, Centro-Sur, Kie-Ntem, Wele-Nzas, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur and Annobón. Important cities include the capital Malabo, Luba, Palebatai, Evilarong, Cambebiin, Mongomo, etc. The capital, Malabo, is located in the north of Bioko Island, south of Ibahilai Peak, and north of the Gulf of Guinea. The city was built in 1827 and was once named Clarence by the British. After the Spanish occupation, the city was named St. Isabel after Queen Isabel II of Spain. After Equatorial Guinea became independent in October 1968, it was designated as the capital and renamed Malabo. The new city of SIPOPO, which was opened in June 2011, is the venue of the 17th and 23rd African Union Summits and has become a new international conference and tourist destination in Equatorial Guinea.

Bata

the second capital, is Equatorial Guinea's largest commercial port and economic center, located on the west coast of the Equatorial Guinea mainland region. Bata was once a slave trade center. In the early 20th century, it was only a military checkpoint with more than 200 people. Later, it was mainly engaged in forestry development. The cityscape of Bata retains traces of the political and social evolution of the Spanish colonial period. Liberty Square (formerly known as Bell Tower Square) is a center for large-scale mass gatherings and parades, surrounded by old colonial buildings. In the center of the square stands a monument to the soldiers killed in overthrowing the Massiere regime, and behind it is the Bata Central Market.

Equatorial Guinea's economy is dominated by farming, with cocoa being its main export product, followed by coffee. The country has long been included in the list of the world's least developed countries. However, a large amount of oil resources were discovered in the territorial waters of Equatorial Guinea in 1996. Since then, the country's economy has grown rapidly. However, the vast majority of oil revenue is controlled by government officials and ruling cliques. Therefore, the overall economic income of the country's citizens is still in poverty.​

Guineans are hospitable and extremely friendly to guests from foreign countries. They are slightly familiar with them. They often invite guests to their homes and entertain them with food rich in local flavor. They called the foreign guests Mr., Mrs., Ms., and Miss, and shook hands when they met. Equatorial Guineans have some customs and habits when dining. Guests should pay attention to understanding them and abide by them. Residents in cities use knives and forks more when eating, and rural people use rice with their hands. Equatorial Guineans avoid eating venison, especially for women, who are absolutely inviolable, while for men, the requirements are not so strict. Young people can only eat venison when they reach the age of religious education and go through a mysterious induction ceremony.

Equatorial Guineans pay attention to etiquette and are not allowed to wear shorts, vests or shirtless in public places. Traditional costumes in Equatorial Guinea are called "robe". They are large one-piece skirts with bright colors and are generally worn during festivals. 82% of Equatorial Guinea's residents are Catholic and 15% are Muslim. Polygamy is practiced. According to local custom, all people are buried after death.

站图片位置The main holidays in Equatorial Guinea include: January 1, New Year's Day; May 1, International Labor Day; Easter; June 5, President Obiang's birthday; August 3,"Freedom Coup Day"(Commemorating Colonel Obiang's coup on August 3, 1979 to overthrow the Massie regime); August 15, Constitution Day; October 12, Independence Day (National Day); November 17, Malabo Protectorate Day; December 8, Chji Protectorate Day; December 25, Christmas Day.