A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993 because of the government's gross corruption and mismanagement. Businesses for the most part are owned by government officials and their family members. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium iron ore manganese uranium and alluvial gold. The country responded favorably to the devaluation of the CFA franc in January 1994.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$660 million (1997 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: NA%

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$1 500 (1997 est.)

GDP—composition by sector:

agriculture: 46%

industry: 33%

services: 21% (1995 est.)

Inflation rate—consumer price index: 6% (1996 est.)

Labor force: NA

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget:

revenues: $47 million

expenditures: $43 million including capital expenditures of $7 million (1996 est.)

Industries: fishing sawmilling

Industrial production growth rate: 7.4% (1994 est.)

Electricity—capacity: 5 000 kW (1995)

Electricity—production: 20 million kWh (1995)

Electricity—consumption per capita: 48 kWh (1995)

Agriculture—products: coffee cocoa rice yams cassava (tapioca) bananas palm oil nuts manioc; livestock; timber

Exports:

total value: $197 million (f.o.b. 1996 est.)

commodities: petroleum timber cocoa

partners: US 34% Japan 17% Spain 13% China 13% Nigeria

Imports:

total value: $248 million (c.i.f. 1996 est.)

commodities: petroleum food beverages clothing machinery

partners: Cameroon 40% Spain 18% France 14% US 8%

Debt—external: $254 million (1996 est.)

Economic aid:

recipient: ODA $NA

Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1—608.36 (January 1998) 583.67 (1997) 511.55 (1996) 499.15 (1995) 555.20 (1994) 283.16 (1993)

note: beginning 12 January 1994 the CFA franc was devalued to CFAF 100 per French franc from CFAF 50 at which it had been fixed since 1948

Fiscal year: 1 April—31 March
________People
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Population: 454 001 (July 1998 est.)

Age structure:

0-14 years: 43% (male 97 993; female 97 470)

15-64 years: 53% (male 114 960; female 126 453)

65 years and over: 4% (male 7 597; female 9 528) (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.56% (1998 est.)

Birth rate: 38.9 births/1 000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate: 13.32 deaths/1 000 population (1998 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1 000 population (1998 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 93.45 deaths/1 000 live births (1998 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 53.93 years

male: 51.61 years

female: 56.31 years (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.06 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)

adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean

Ethnic groups: Bioko (primarily Bubi some Fernandinos) Rio Muni (primarily Fang) Europeans less than 1 000 mostly Spanish

Religions: nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic pagan practices

Languages: Spanish (official) French (official) pidgin English Fang Bubi Ibo

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 78.5%

male: 89.6%

female: 68.1% (1995 est.)

:::::Annobon Travel Guide
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About 500 km southwest of Rio Piedras, Annobon is a small island in the bight of Biafra. Locally known as Pagalu, the island is about 8 kilometers from north to south and about 3 kilometers wide with a total area of land of about 17 square km. It is mountainous and there are three remarkable peaks on it. In the north it is Pico del Fuego (454meters), in the centre Pico del Centro (630 m) and in the south Pico Surcado, about the same hight. Pico Surcado is an extinct volcano, and a lake is situated in its former crater.

The village of San Antonio, inhabited by about 400 people, is the biggest town. It is located just south of Punta del Palmar. There is a christian missionary station in its vicinity.

::::::Bioko Travel Guide
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Bioko is the name of the island offshore Cameroon which is the location of Malabo the capital of Equatorial Guinea. It was earlier known as Fernando Po.
:::::::Luba Travel Guide
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Less than 50 km from the capital Malabo, Luba is the second largest town of Bioko. It's a good base for visiting some of the nicest beaches in the country, including the beautiful Arena Blanca, as well as several small fishing villages and two hiking trails. There are many taxies and minibuses that are willing to take you back to the capital. The currency is CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine).

Luba is a real dump, has only two borderline cafes and no overnight accommodation.

A depot to supply and fabricate material for the offshore oilfields has been built to the immediate south of the town and the road from Malabo has been improved. the road to Riaba is still Four wheel drive only and you will need plenty of grease money to progress through the many military checkpoints. This area is the home of the Bubi tribe who regularly suffer ethnic cleansing by the Fang based government.

Luba and the hill villages also suffer occasionally from outbreaks of Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping Sickness)

:::::::::Malabo Travel Guide
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Malabo waterfront

Malabo waterfront

ph
Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, is set beautifully between the cloud-capped Pico Malabo on one side and high ocean waves on the other. Unfortunately there are no good beaches nearby, and there are no agencies to arrange a hiking trip in the inland, but the city has quite some tourist potential nevertheless.

For the moment it's just potential. The city is pretty rundown and with just a handful of restaurants and hotels worthy of the name, Malabo lacks a lot of infrastructure. It does have numerous bars, however, where you can get a quick shot of booze.

A trip to Luba or even Riaba are absolutely worthwhile. It gives you an impression of the scenery of the island and both have good beaches. On the way to Riba you can see the Moka Valley with its crater lake.

Malabo is improving slowly with the influx of oil money, there is a good Pizza restaurant and a couple of Chinese now (2004/5). Remember always that this place is ruled by a vicious military dictatorship rivalling that in Zimbabwe. Travel anywhere is difficult especially to Riaba which is the home town of the Bubi tribe, downtrodden enemies of the Fang Tribe Government.

Forget Hiking, it doesn't happen. Plenty of nasty snakes, mosquitoes the size of sparrows (these cause Cerebral Malaria - Lariam tablets are essential).

The sea can be nice, there are even whales to be seen at certain times, however at other times watch out for the sharks, jelly fish and other assorted nasties! The best view to be seen from Malabo is across the water 30 miles to the active Volcano Mount Cameroon.

____Getting There
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There are flights into Malabo from Gabon (Air Gabon), Douala Cameroon (Air Cameroon), Madrid (Iberia and Spanair) and Amsterdam(KLM). Swissair have now stopped. Flights from Lagos (Air Nigeria) go when their planes are serviceable. There may still be flights from Accra Ghana but not sure.

:::Rio muni Travel Guide
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Rio Muni is the name of the part of Equatorial Guinea that's located on the mainland of Africa. It is one of the least traveled bits of Africa and a trip there takes a bit of an explorer.

Bata is the capital of the mainland. Just south of town are some excellent beaches. There are regular flights to Malabo from Bata and a ferry once a week.

A general lack of good roads makes travel in Rio Muni pretty tough. There is no bridge between Cocobeach in Gabon and Acalayong in the south of Rio Muni, so if you want to go with your own car to Libreville you need to make a big detour via Evinayong. The road to Cameroun takes you via Ebebiyin in the far north east. In both cases you will have a great travel experience - but as we said no good roads to travel on.

I agree with the above and add a word about the flights from Malabo. These are operated by EGA the local airline. This airline is NOT registered with any international authority, is not allowed to fly anywhere outside Equatorial Guinea. The pilots are Russian and Ukrainian and all seem to have an alcohol problem. The planes themselves are very very old Russian Yak 40s and are always overbooked and overcrowded. They should have 40 seats but on one flight back from Bata to Malabo there were passengers STANDING in the aisles and over 70 passengers were counted!!!

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Guinea-Bissau Travel Guide
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"Paragem", The road in the capital of the country, Bissau (2004)

"Paragem", The road in the capital of the country, Bissau (2004)

Douglas Amaral
Piquinino na tamanho - garandi na fama. Guinea-Bissau's motto translates as "Small in size - big in reputation." On the West African coast, wedged in between Senegal and Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau is about the size of Switzerland and has just 1.1 million people. Small size is undisputed, but Guinea-Bissau's big reputation is still developing. As a former Portuguese colony, surrounded by former French colonies, and a mainly animist country surrounded by majority Muslim countries, Guinea-Bissau's unique, laid back character is a treat for those traveling through West Africa. Although there are beautiful beaches, fantasy tropical islands, and fishing and hunting, the main attraction in Guinea-Bissau is the people.

Eating Mangoes in Suzana

Guinea-Bissau is just recovering from a war, which shattered the country from June of 1998 until May of 1999. The international airport reopened in July, and all major land borders have reopened. Life in the countryside, and even the capital Bissau, where most fighting was centered, has normalized. Even as people struggle to rebuild and cope with post-war inflation, the dance clubs have reopened, and traditional festivities continue. A transitional civilian government is in place, and elections will take place November 28, 1999.

More information will be added to this page in the future, so please check back, or e-mail me directly if you are planning a trip to Guinea-Bissau and need information.

__________Practical Information
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Currency

The local currency is the BEAC Franc (XAF)

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__________Economy
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Economy—overview: One of the 20 poorest countries in the world Guinea-Bissau depends mainly on farming and fishing. Cashew crops have increased remarkably in recent years and the country now ranks sixth in cashew production. Guinea-Bissau exports fish and seafood along with small amounts of peanuts palm kernels and timber. Rice is the major crop and staple food. Trade reform and price liberalization are the most successful part of the country's structural adjustment program under IMF sponsorship. The tightening of monetary policy and the development of the private sector have begun to reinvigorate the economy. Inflation dropped sharply in the first quarter of 1997. Membership in the WAMU (West African Monetary Union) begun in May 1997 should help support 5% annual growth and contribute to fiscal discipline. Because of high costs the development of petroleum phosphate and other mineral resources is not a near-term prospect.

GDP: purchasing power parity—$1.15 billion (1997 est.)

GDP—real growth rate: 5% (1997 est.)

GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$975 (1997 est.)

GDP—composition by sector:

agriculture: 45%

industry: 18%

services: 37% (1997 est.)

Inflation rate—consumer price index: 65% (1996)

Labor force: 480 000

Unemployment rate: NA%

Budget: $NA

Industries: agricultural products processing beer soft drinks

Industrial production growth rate: 2.6% (1997 est.)

Electricity—capacity: 11 000 kW (1995)

Electricity—production: 45 million kWh (1995)

Electricity—consumption per capita: 40 kWh (1995)

Agriculture—products: rice corn beans cassava (tapioca) cashew nuts peanuts palm kernels cotton; fishing and forest potential not fully exploited

Exports:

total value: $25.8 million (f.o.b. 1996 est.)

commodities: cashews 95% fish peanuts palm kernels sawn lumber (1994)

partners: Spain 35% India 30% Thailand 10% Italy 10% (1995)

Imports:

total value: $63 million (f.o.b. 1996 est.)

commodities: foodstuffs transport equipment petroleum products machinery and equipment (1994)

partners: Thailand 27% Portugal 23% Japan 6% Cote d'Ivoire 7% (1995)

Debt—external: $953 million (1996 est.)

Economic aid:

recipient: ODA $NA

Currency: 1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes; note - on 1 May 1997 Guinea-Bissau adopted as its currency the CFA franc following its membership into the BCEAO

Exchange rates: CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1—608.36 (January 1998) 583.67 (1997); Guinea-Bissauan pesos (PG) per US$1—26 373 (1996) 18 073 (1995) 12 892 (1994) 10 082 (1993)

note: as of 2 May 1997 Guinea-Bissau has adopted the CFA franc as the national currency following its membership in BCEAO

Fiscal year: calendar year

_________People
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Population: 1 206 311 (July 1998 est.)

0-14 years: 42% (male 256 315; female 255 208)

15-64 years: 55% (male 313 270; female 347 431)

65 years and over: 3% (male 15 986; female 18 101) (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.32% (1998 est.)

Birth rate: 38.67 births/1 000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate: 15.48 deaths/1 000 population (1998 est.)

Net migration rate: 0 migrant(s)/1 000 population (1998 est.)

Sex ratio:

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

under 15 years: 1 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 111.61 deaths/1 000 live births (1998 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:

total population: 49.14 years

male: 47.47 years

female: 50.85 years (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.17 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Guinean (s)

adjective: Guinean

Ethnic groups: African 99% (Balanta 30% Fula 20% Manjaca 14% Mandinga 13% Papel 7%) European and mulatto less than 1%

Religions: indigenous beliefs 50% Muslim 45% Christian 5%

Languages: Portuguese (official) Crioulo African languages

Literacy:

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 53.9%

male: 67.1%

female: 40.7% (1997 est.)
:::::::::Bafata Travel Guide
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There is nothing in particular to do or see in Bafata, but it is located on the main road from Bissau to Kankan so if you are heading in that direction you will probably spend some time here. There are a few places where you can get something to eat and there are places to stay - but in both cases: don't expect anything fancy.

::::::::::Bijagos islands Travel Guide
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photo
The Bijagos islands are really great. The archipelago consists of some ten islands, all of them with a tropical beauty to them. One of the main attractions is the presence of sea Hippo's.

The easiest way to get there is by plane. Before the war it was possible to book a hotel/flight arrangement for weekend in Bissau for about 100 US dollar. You will end up in Bubaque which is the best base for exploring the islands anyway.

Note: Currently the only way is by boat from Capital "Bissau" or by renting your own canoe with crew.

::::::
Bissau Travel Guide
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"Paragem", The road in the capital of the country, Bissau (2004)

"Paragem", The road in the capital of the country, Bissau (2004)

Douglas Amaral
Bissau is a quiet capital for African standards. There is not a lot going on; while the streets are half empty, many people just sit on their porches and chat.The town has a cretian charm. There are many (run down) colonial style buildings with big veranda's. There are not many real sights, however.Bissau is a convenient point from which you can discover the rest of the country. The Bijagos islands can be reached by ferry and plane and hunting trips in the hinterland can also be arranged they used to be very popular with the Portuguese).

::::::::Bolama Travel Guide
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Bolama a town in Guinea-Bissau situated on an island bearing the same name. The town and island are located between the Bijagos archipelago and the mainland.

Bolama was the capital of when Guinea-Bissau was a Portuguese colony (Portuguese Guinea, a province of the Cape Verde islands). From 1879, however, a separate colony was founded, with Bolama as the capital. Bissau became the capital in 1941.

Bolama has some magnificent examples of colonial architecture and has been suggested as a World Heritage site.

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Guinee Conakry Travel Guide
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Bossou

Bossou

www.villagecherif.com
Guinea Conakry is one of those countries where traveling means hard work. Roads are in bad shape in the dry season and in no shape during the rainy season. But hard work is often the most rewarding work; the people of Guinea are very friendly and the landscape can be breathtaking

Near Conakry you will find some good beaches especially on the Iles de los just south of the capital. The town itself has a few nice markets.

The North of Guinea and especially the region known as Fouta Djalon offers great hiking possibilities. The Fouta Djalon has green rolling hills with many peeks over 1000 meters. Labe , Pita and Dalaba are the largest cities in the Fouta Djalon and a good starting points for treks. Faranah and Kankan are the biggest city in the north-east. If you are travelling to Mali you will probably be making a stop in both.

__________Getting Around
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Domestic air services fly from Conakry to Boké Kissidougou Kankan Siguiri Labé and Koundara. The government bus company SOGETRAG runs between Conakry and all the main towns except for Nzérékoré. Bush taxis cover the shorter runs between towns and reliable and cheap minibuses cover the longer routes. Trains no longer run anywhere in the country despite the existence of train lines shown on maps. You can however often find rooms at the hotel-buffet at old stations.

::::::::Conakry Travel Guide
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Conakry is the capital of Guinee Conakry and is located at the tip of a narrow peninsula. The centre of town is right at the end of the peninsula. Because of the fact that the city has expanded quite fast in recent years it can take quite some time to get from the centre to the outskirts. The main axis in town is called the Avenue de la Republique in the centre, changes its name into Route du Niger and later into Autoroute if you move further to the north.

There are not a lot of real sights in Conakry. There is the Palais de l'OUA where the cancelled OUA of 1984 would have been held, had president Toure not died. Accross the streets are 50 moorish style villas where the presidents of the African countries would have stayed. The National Museum is probably the best museum in the country, but don't expect too much. There are some masks, statues and muscial instruments on display. Entrance is free.

South of Conakry the Iles de los are a group of islands that are ideal places to relax, swim and tan. Boats leave from behind the Novotel.

:::::::Dabola Travel Guide
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Dabola is 429 km from Conakry(capital of Guinea).It's the big city, has national TV station, good electricity. Two prefectures(cities) Faranah and Dinguiraye are electrified by Dabola because there is an hydroelectrical barrage in this prefecture.

:::::::::Dalaba Travel Guide
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Dalaba is probably one of the best place to go hiking in this part of West Africa. The centre d'accueil, built by the French, is in the outskirts of town, and offers good info on where to go. The Hotel Tangama can also provide you with info about tracks to take.

:::::Iles de los Travel Guide
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Ile de Kassa

Ile de Kassa

ebru kefeli
The Iles de Los are a group of islands where people from Conakry come to relax and have a good time. Most expats go to Ile de Roume which is quiet. Guineans go to the Ile de Kassa which is quite lively, especially in weekends.

Boats from Conakry leave from the beach near the Novotel. You either can rent a boat to yourself or take one of the regular priogues that go to Soro village.

:::::::Kankan Travel Guide
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Kankan is an absolute highlight for Malinke travelers on a spiritual journey. For all others it is just a stop on the road from Conakry to Mali.

Although you wouldn't suspect it when you arrive Kankan is the second biggest city of the coutry. It is the spiritual centre of the Malinké (Mandinka) people in the region. You find Madinke in Guinee, Mali Senegal and Gambia. Kankan was capital of the former Mali Empire, but not a lot of what you see right now today reminds you of a capital. There is no grandeur whatsoever. There is an interesting open market with arched entrances, a covered market and a Grande Mosquée that is worth a visit.

Kankan is 500km east of Conakry, and buses and bush taxis make the trip on a regular basis.

::::::Kankan Travel Guide
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Kankan is an absolute highlight for Malinke travelers on a spiritual journey. For all others it is just a stop on the road from Conakry to Mali.

Although you wouldn't suspect it when you arrive Kankan is the second biggest city of the coutry. It is the spiritual centre of the Malinké (Mandinka) people in the region. You find Madinke in Guinee, Mali Senegal and Gambia. Kankan was capital of the former Mali Empire, but not a lot of what you see right now today reminds you of a capital. There is no grandeur whatsoever. There is an interesting open market with arched entrances, a covered market and a Grande Mosquée that is worth a visit.

Kankan is 500km east of Conakry, and buses and bush taxis make the trip on a regular basis.
:::::::Labe Travel Guide
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Labe is about 400 km north of Conakry at the end of the tar road through the Fouta Djalon. It's the third town of the country and a major stopping point on the road to Guinea-Bissau. Labe is not a very attractive town, but for the adventurous it is a good base for exploring the Fouta Djalon. 120 km north of Labe, Mount Rushmore is over 1500 meter high.

::::::Nzerekore Travel Guide
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Bossou

Bossou

www.villagecherif.com

Mountainous region with a lot of thick forest. Mount Nimba is 1.752 meter high and iron is found here.

People living in Nezerekore are Manon, Konos and Guerzés.