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- <text id=93CT1684>
- <title>
- Equatorial Guinea--Travel
- </title>
- <history>
- Compact ALMANAC--CIA Factbook
- Southern Africa
- Equatorial Guinea
- </history>
- <article>
- <source>CIA World Factbook</source>
- <hdr>
- Travel
- </hdr>
- <body>
- <p> Customs: Visas are required for American diplomatic personnel
- and for all other Americans. Applications should be made to the
- Equatorial Guinea Mission to the UN at least 3-4 weeks prior to
- departure and should be secured for entire length of stay. Visas
- also may be obtained at Equatorial Guineas embassies in Spain,
- France, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Gabon.
- </p>
- <p> Climate and clothing: Hot and humid most of the year with 200
- cm. (80 in.) of rain. Average temperature is 80 F. Bring
- lightweight summer apparel, rainwear, and a sweater for the
- mountains. Long sleeves and long pants are recommended as
- protection against insect bites.
- </p>
- <p> Health: There is no adequate hospital in Equatorial Guinea
- and few trained physicians. Medicines and equipment are limited.
- Immunization against yellow fever is required. Immunizations
- against polio, typhoid, tetanus, and measles also are
- recommended. Malaria is endemic, and malaria suppressants must
- be taken regularly. Tapwater is not potable and often
- unavailable-many people bring bottled water. There are no
- dentists or opticians in the country. Bring a supply of basic
- medicines.
- </p>
- <p> Telecommunications: Poor system (about 2,000 telephones) with
- adequate government services. Daytime incoming long-distance
- telephone service via Madrid is sometimes available as is
- outgoing via Yaounde. Sound quality is poor. Equatorial Guinea
- currently has a single telex line, located in the
- telecommunications company, which serves as an international
- telegram service. Telegraph rates are considerably higher than
- in the US. There are two AM radio stations (no FM) and one
- television station.
- </p>
- <p> Transportation: Bus service is available from Malabo to Luba
- and Riaba. Few taxis are available. Malabo is served by
- international airlines: four times weekly from Douala: once
- weekly from and to Madrid via Lagos; once weekly to and from
- Lagos via Calabar; weekly to and from Morocco via Libreville:
- and monthly from Moscow via Cotonou and Valletta. Air transport
- to Bata is irregular. Charter flights to Douala and Bata can be
- arranged. Maritime transport is irregular.
- </p>
- <p> Hotels: Accommodations in the four hotels in Malabo and the
- one in Bata are extremely difficult to obtain. None of the
- hotels has restaurant facilities. Utilities are occasionally
- interrupted; flashlights with batteries or candles and matches
- are recommended. None of the hotels are screened; mosquito
- netting or insect repellant is recommended. The markets in
- Malabo have most staples except dairy products, but visitors
- may wish to carry with them a small supply of any special
- needs, such as dietetic or sodium-free foods.
- </p>
- <p> Tourist attractions: The Island of Bioko with its varied
- vegetation and topography is quite attractive. There are several
- scenic beaches on Bioko and Rio Muni. Snorkeling, boating, and
- fishing are enjoyed; bring equipment. Spanish-Guinean and French
- cultural centers are in Malabo and Bata.
- </p>
- <p> National holidays: January 1, New Year's Day; Good Friday;
- May 1, International Labor Day; Corpus Christi; June 5,
- President's birthday; August 3, Armed Forces Day; August 15,
- Constitution Day; October 12, Independence Day; December 8,
- Immaculate Conception Day; December 25, Christmas Day.
- </p>
- <p>Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs,
- March 1989.
- </p>
-
- </body>
- </article>
- </text>
-
-