Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 78.5%

male: 89.6%

female: 68.1% (1995 est.)

Equatorial Guinea Government

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea

conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea

local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial

local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial

former: Spanish Guinea

Government type: republic

Capital: Malabo

Administrative divisions: 7 provinces (provincias, singular -
provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem,
Litoral, Wele-Nzas

Independence: 12 October 1968 (from Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 12 October (1968)

Constitution: approved by national referendum 17 November 1991;
amended January 1995

Legal system: partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom

Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal adult

Executive branch: chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.)
Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized
power in a military coup)

head of government: Prime Minister Candido Muatetema RIVAS (since
26 February 2001); First Deputy Prime Minister Miguel OYONO NDONG
(since NA January 1998); Deputy Prime Minister Demetrio Elo NDONG
NZE FUMU (since NA January 1998)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections: president elected by popular vote to a seven-year term;
election last held 25 February 1996 (next to be held NA February
2003); prime minister and vice prime ministers appointed by the
president

election results: President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected
with 98% of popular vote in elections marred by widespread fraud

Legislative branch: unicameral House of People's Representatives or
Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (80 seats; members directly
elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

elections: last held 7 March 1999 (next to be held NA 2004)

election results: percent of vote by party - PDGE 80%, UP 6%, CPDS
5%; seats by party - PDGE 75, UP 4 and CPDS 1

note: opposition parties have refused to take up their seats in the
House to protest widespread irregularities in the 1999 legislative
elections

Judicial branch: Supreme Tribunal

Political parties and leaders: Convergence Party for Social
Democracy or CPDS [Placido Miko ABOGO]; Democratic Party for
Equatorial Guinea or PDGE (ruling party) [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA
MBASOGO]; Party for Progr