I was looking for the older thread that was created, it has somehow vanished...Maybe someone else can find it...in the meantime, here is a new one

Bata - country´s second biggest city (70 000 inhabitants)

http://www.tofocus.info/images/flags/equatorial-guinea-flag.gif



See map for location

http://www.faqs.org/docs/factbook/maps/ek-map.gif

Bata is the second largest city of Equatorial Guinea with a population of around 70,000 people. It lies on the Atlantic Ocean coast of Rio Muni. Bata was formerlly capital of Equatorial Guinea. The city is a transport hub and port, from which ferries sail to Malabo and Douala, and fliers can land at Bata Airport. It is also known for its small nightlife, its market and its airport.

The recent oil boom of the country has boosted the development of the city with more than 20 major infrastructure projects underway.


Bata looks a lot better than Malabo and it is surprsingly clean, I wouldn´t have expected this from a city in Equatorial Guinea considering the mess in Malabo which is the capital....but surprise surprise:)


All pics were taken in June 2007

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1371/762125914_53774b3768_o.jpg

what a great church, it even looks renovated

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1220/761263741_484008d417_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1028/761262305_86b0a18e84_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1024/762121938_eb75a2090e_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1389/762111120_f51389bafa_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1055/761248119_22a2a70d07_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1412/762103036_740fe0a1c5_o.jpg

the enlarged new "el paseo":cheers:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1128/761243235_c78f066907_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1244/762093978_2e0cedc687_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1301/761229961_d35f2d1a2f_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1081/761228593_09b154f35c_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1345/762084492_0ca7fa1934_o.jpg

Couldn´t refrain from posting those nice Bata Girls

http://guineequatoriale.info/fr/htdocs/uploads/photos/5.jpg

Old post-office

http://www.nuestra-guinea.com/Galeria/albums/userpics/10275/Plaza_correos.jpg

http://www.nuestra-guinea.com/Galeria/albums/userpics/10468/IMG_1751_1.jpg


it is said that this is a road within Bata´s city centre

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1262/762101524_638065bd8d_o.jpg

http://www.bisila.com/gif/bata/new/bata_correos_bata_city.jpg

Centro Cultural Espanol

http://www.bisila.com/gif/bata/ccespanol2.jpg

This is Abayak (taken in 2007)

http://www.bisila.com/gif/bata/abayak_bata.jpg

http://www.bisila.com/gif/bata/new/martinez_hermanos_bata.jpg

new things around Bata

http://www.bisila.com/gif/bata/new/bata_guinea_ecuatorial.jpg


another street scene , btw, the building you see is a Gabonese bank

http://www.nuestra-guinea.com/Galeria/albums/userpics/10275/Frapejo_Bata_2006.jpg

http://www.nuestra-guinea.com/Galeria/albums/userpics/10242/normal_Bata%2C2.JPG

Mattias,

You must be a fan of Teodoro Obiang. Not quite a democrat noted for good governance but a nasty dictator just like Robert Mugabe, Jose Eduardo dos Santos and Mohammed Bashir Omar. Here's a bio on him.

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

http://www.dictatorofthemonth.com/Obiang/teodoro.jpg

Fact Sheet

Name: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo
Country: Equatorial Guinea
Birthday: 05 June, 1942
Died: still living
Dates in Power: 10 October, 1979- current
How Leader Came into Power: military coup
Classification: "President for Life"
Nuclear Capability: no
Major Achievements: Repressive dictator known for his survival in power for more than 25 years despite multiple attempts to overthrow him. Currently at odds with the USA over the last attempt to remove him from power. Now a tricky situation due to major oil/ natural gas strikes in the country by US companies.

Score Card (click here for the explanations)

Charisma/ Popularity: 2.83
Danger Rating (Foreign Policy): 1
Oppression Rating: 4
Number of Domestic Victims: 1.33
Longevity: 5
Economics: 3.33
Notoriety/ Infamy: 2.67
Statesman Factor: 1.33
Extremism: 3.67
Progressiveness: 1.67
Total Score (50 max): 26.83

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Browse Books on Obiang!:



Biography
Early Life

was born on 05 June 1942 in the Akoakam-Esangui district of Mongomo; he was the third of ten brothers to father Nguema Eneme Obama and mother Mbasogo Ngui.

He commenced his schooling at the School of Mongomo in 1950. Recognized for his outstanding studies, he was transferred to the advanced scholar group of the "Cardenal Cistnero" of Ebibeyin in 1958. In that year he also entered into the Mission School of the Priests of "Claretrados de Bata" and was baptized in the Catholic faith.

In June 1963, he became a Cadet of the Territorial Guard and on 15 September 1963 he attended the prestigious General Francisco Franco Military Academy in Sargasso Spain. He graduated from the academy in 1965, specializing in the handling of military vehicles. On 5 July 1965, he became Lieutenant of the Territorial Guard of Equatorial Guinea and through the next years he served in several different military companies. On 20 November 1969, he was promoted to Lieutenant of the National Guard and within two weeks he was responsible for all troops defending the capital city region of the country (Malabo).

Ascent to Power

On 08 July 1970 he was appointed to the post of General Manager of Planning and Supplies for the Ministry of Defense and on 19 April 1971 he was promoted to Captain due to his participation in overthrowing a failed coup attempt against his uncle and then-leader Francisco Macías Nguema. After this point, Obiang's career started to really move ahead with numerous promotions following in the successive years, propelling him to prominence within the government.

On 23 December 1975, Obiang was promoted to Commander of the Armed Forces of Equatorial Guinea. On 21 June 1976 he was appointed to the position of Secretary General to the Armed Forces, promoted once again in 1979 to Vice Minister of the Armed Forces and at the same time Lieutenant Colonel.

Francisco Macías Nguema's regime was extremely repressive and was cited for numerous human rights violations, which were so brutal that reportedly one-third of the country's population left as refugees; this set the stage for unrest and eventually another now-successful coup d'état against him at dawn on 03 August 1979 led by Obiang. Nguema was murdered shortly thereafter. On 18 August Obiang was chosen by a military panel unanimously to serve as the President of the Supreme Military Council and President of the Republic. He was officially sworn into office on 10 October 1979. He was later promoted to the rank of full Colonel on 31 January 1981.

His Reign

General sentiment at the time of the coup was that Obiang's rule would considerably improve conditions in Equatorial Guinea and in the beginning, Obiang did, in fact, pardon political prisoners of the Nguema regime by decree and a new constitution for Equatorial Guinea was drafted and approved on 22 August 1982 by 95.38% majority obtained through referendum.

In 1987 the (Partido Democratido of Equatorial Guinea) or PDGE was formed by Obiang, and since then remains the only party in the country.

Since Obiang's seizure of power in 1979, there have been numerous attempts on his life and failed coup attempts, yet he has been elected by more than 97% of the popular votes in 1998 and 2002. Although Equatorial Guinea is a constitutional democracy, opposition and international sentiment has alleged that the elections are hardly free and fair.

Support for Obiang at public rallies seems to be fervent and zealous, with literally thousands of followers literally screaming their support publicly; his practice of giving away wheelchairs at rallies surely helps in lending him loyalty among some of his population. Despite this, private accounts of locals paints a very dangerous picture, alleging that Obiang rules through terror, torture and political killings. Amnesty International and other human rights groups, including the UN, cite brutal human rights violations, torture of political prisoners, unfair trials as well as deplorable prison conditions. His opposition also maintains that the series of failed coup d'états have been staged in order to empower the President to engage in campaigns of retribution. His control over the media is rumoured to be absolute. He is also criticized for nepotism, as he has appointed many family members to key posts in the government.

In March 2004, another coup plot against Obiang failed, after an airplane that was purchased from a private American company was detained in Harare, Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean Government alleged that the passengers on the plane were mercenaries from Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the Congo, whereas the operator of the aircraft stated that the passengers were in fact contractors heading for the Congo.

Obiang maintains that the plot was orchestrated by the US and the UK, and although it appears that US intelligence agencies did have some knowledge of the plot, there is not much evidence that the US government was directly involved, despite allegations to the contrary. Nevertheless, Obiang was quite angered at the US's decision not to reveal specifics of the plot against him.

Economics

When Obiang took control over the government after Nguema's rule the economy was in absolute shambles. Over the first few years Obiang did make some improvements but even up until the early 90's the country was hardly thriving on its dependence upon cocoa exports, and by 1993 the IMF had stopped granting foreign aid to the country due to graft and irresponsible handling of monies.

However Obiang enjoyed a stroke of luck which profoundly changed the economics of Equatorial Guinea permanently. In 1996, the multinational Mobil Corporation (now ExxonMobil) struck oil in the country, and by 2004, 185,000 barrels per day were being produced for the world oil markets. This has had a profound effect upon the country, spurring its economic expansion at the rate of 20% per annum.

In addition to the boon of oil, natural gas was also discovered in Equatorial Guinea and the US energy concern Marathon is building a large LNG processing plant which will be used for producing export fuel. The major finds of oil and natural gas have made Equatorial Guinea have given the country significant importance to US interests, and the country has been described as the new Kuwait.

The God of Guinea

Obiang is a man of contradictions, with feelings about him completely mixed.

In July 2003 the state radio station announced that Obiang was "the God of Equatorial Guinea" and that he now enjoyed the right to "decide to kill without having to give anyone an account and without going to hell". Despite his reputation as a brutal leader that rules with an iron hand, he is very soft-spoken and not prone to public displays of anger; he is extremely in control of his person and patient. His mode of dress is typical very businesslike and professional for official matter, and in public rallies he is relaxed and comfortable, wearing party colours and baseball caps. He does not really seem to be concerned about his image outside the country.

Original article written by www.dictatorofthemonth.com

Sources:

http://allafrica.com/stories/200403120710.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/equatorialguinea/story/0,15013,1313672,00.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3516588.stm www.ceiba-guinea-ecuatorial.org/guineefr/fpr_presentation.htm

why are you people destroying threads that are dedicated to construction???:ohno: , I am not a fan of Obiang, on the contrary, but one can simply say that Bata doesn´t look so bad as I expected. That´s all and nothing more. If it all boils down to democracy , more than 50% of the country threads on SSC should be closed.

Mod, please can you either close this thread or delete the message of those two chaps, please!

eklips, you are really funny, what has Houphoet Boigny to do with Obiang? Gbagbo is running the country marvellously well as we all know.

You silly guys really piss me off!

Mosi, either you refrain from posting on this thread or I will load up tons of material showing the bad sides of your (post-) apartheid country. I am not short of material...I knew that you would come back to look for trouble so I am prepared for day X! It is your choice.

This is a thread to show the city of Bata and not to discuss any matters of politics.

Well, i don't like Obiang either-I stillthink he's been a jerk, I still think that there is a bit too much corruption and the like, etc, etc.

But then, I have to face the facts. Look at those pictures-Bata looks like a city that could quite possibly belong in a more developed country. Malabo didn't look all that great, but this? And this isn't even the capital. That leads me to believe that there are other cities in Eq. Guinea that probably hav4e seen similar improvements.

And then, I haveto look at the living standardsm courtesy of the human development index.

http://hdr.undp.org/hdr2006/statistics/countries/data_sheets/cty_ds_GNQ.html

man development index, 1985 0.484
Human development index, 1990 0.501
Human development index, 1995 0.519
Human development index, 2000 0.643
Human development index, 2004 0.653

Eq. Guinea is now the 3rd highest sub saharan African country by ranking on the HDI.

The improvement here is massive. In 1985, Eq. guinea was ranked right around where places like Guinea bissau are. Then, today, it's jumped past India, South Africa, gabon, etc, etc-if you check the HDI trends for the other countries through that link, you will see that this is one of the most rapid improvements of any country.

In light of all this, while I still acknowledge he's dictator...I have to come to give a grudging respect for the guy.

These are very good pictures, Matt! :applause:

I am pleased with these recent images, I know very well how difficult it is to find images of Bata.

the bata gurls are nnnniiicccee

the bata gurls are nnnniiicccee

The women on the right is Ester Baxter, she's an african american dancer. She features in a lot of rap videos :)

The women on the right is Ester Baxter, she's an african american dancer. She features in a lot of rap videos

Are you sure, maybe she has just got a striking ressemblancs ´cos those girlies come from Bata.

First of all I am not in favour of any dictatorship. Obiang is dreadful and he runs his country like his family business. And he even neatly stashed away millions of dollars in property and private offshore bank accounts. No doubt about that...

But just one question: why did South Africa that is fighting to spread “democracy” in Africa hasn´t forbidden Obiang´s son to buy himself a plush house in Cape Town if those guys are “squeezing their country dry” as you say??? So when it comes to hypocrisy sweep in front of your own doorstep first.


Having said that, on talking about Equatorial Guinea a few points should be paid heed to because not all is so bleak and dreaful like some members feel tempted to say

1.) When oil was first discovered in the mid 90´s, the country was in a very unfavourable condition. 98% (!! I am not joking ) of the profits were pocketed by large American oil companies and the remaining peanuts were left for the state. The government increased its stake by now. It also has set up an own national oil comapny which invest in exploration and drilling . (Geptrol). Filling stations are supplied by Gepetrol, too. So it evloves into something like Petrogabon or even Sonangol, Sonatrech among others.

2. The rate of new oil and gas discoveries have sharply increaased in the past years and the country will churn out something around 600 000 barrels of oil a day by 2009. (in comparison: Kuwait - the size of Equatorial Guinea - started oil production already in the 50´s and produces almost 2.5 Million barrels of oil today)


2.) Public investment has grown tremdeously. The government – despite high levels of corruption – is investing more than 2 Billion US Dollars this year alone ( the highest amount in its history) into the building of roads, highways, elecriticity supply, hospitals, schools, the new capital Malabo II and medical centres. Bear in mind that Equatorial Guinea starts from a very low position. But the trickling donw effect seems to be palpable which is documented by the HDI Index. (even though the indicator remains questionable as a whole, nevertheless a sharp increase is visible which is even higher that South Africa which is frequently cited as Africa´s undisputed economic powerhouse and “role-model” democracy. The building boom is huge in Equatorial Guinea...and suprisngly nobody is talking about it any more, good things never rise to the surface but if a cholora epedemic suddenly flares up, the media are there to tear the country apart. Weird!

3.)It is an empirically verified thesis that non-democratic states economically performed very well. May I just bring back a few names into your memory

a.) China : run is no doubt a brutal dictaorship but the country is growing in leaps and bounds and more and more people are getting welathier
b.) South Korea from 60´s -80´s was a full blown dictorship but it lay the basis for economic development
c.) Côte d´ivoire under Felix Houphoet-Boigny grew rapidsly in the 60´s – 80´s and urban poverty levels declined rapidly, Abidjan ´s poverty rate was around 5% in 1985, todays is is more than 45% figure date back to 2004, read this is an article)
d.) Most of the South East Asian tigers are ruled with an iron fist: Malaysia and Singapore
Indonesia witnessed the sharpest rise in its GDP when it was under Suharto´s dictatorship!!!
e.) Brazil grew at its best when it was undemocratically ruled
f) All of the glitzy smaller Gulf Countries are dictorships: Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. But the UAE has created a state fund that already amounts to more than 850 Billion US dollars in cash which could allow them to buy off entire rich industrialized countries.Their fund is even higher than that of highly democratic, corruption-free and "clean" Norway whose oil fund stand somehwere around 300 Billion US Dollars.
g.) Brunei is run in a way that is equal Louis Quatorze during France´s absolutisme, but chekck out its HDI Index and its foreign excanges resserves and so on, thhe country and its citizens are perversely rich.


All those countries are frequently cited in the press as role model for socio-economic development and words of praise are sung about them


5.) Equatorial Guinea was a victim of a coup plot a few years ago which was perpetrated by South African mercinaries and England (Magret Thatcher´s son). Those fellows wanted to oust Obiang to get some juicy parts out of the pie (billions of dollars in oil and construction contracts). The coup failed...and this explains to a certzain degree obiang´s tighter grip on power since then. (or even paranoia). Sitting on heaps of oil in small and “helpless” African countries is never an easy task (both internally and externally)

6.) Check out the very good macro-economic facts of Equatorial guinea: The internal and external debt ratio is virtually zero. So the country has not borrowed senselessly tons of cash to finance infrastructure projects at home. Look at foreign exchange resserves, “Jeune afrique” said that the country has the highest in Central Africa and the second highest in entire West and central africa (!!) .

7.) We should also keep in mid that one cannot eat democracy alone. Take Mali which ranks very highly in terms of democracy but how many Malians are happy in their own country where they are allowed to speak their mind freely??? On the contrary, they are looking for ways to escape (they did in to Côte d´ivoire in the past which was a dictatorship, they are trying to enter Gabon where a patriarch runs the country more or less “democratically” and they are venture to booming Equatorial Guinea which is a full-blown dictatorship)


In my mind, these are some aspects that should be kept in mind when one talks of Equatorial Guinea. They are always two side to a coin!:)

Are you sure, maybe she has just got a striking ressemblancs ´cos those girlies come from Bata.

I'm 1,000% it's Esther Baxter.

Taken from her Modelling Gallery:

http://www.cutiecentral.com/content/models/esther%20baxter/estherbaxter104.jpg
http://www.cutiecentral.com/content/models/esther%20baxter/estherbaxter088.jpg
http://www.cutiecentral.com/content/models/esther%20baxter/estherbaxter271.jpg

Mattias,

You must be a fan of Teodoro Obiang. Not quite a democrat noted for good governance but a nasty dictator just like Robert Mugabe, Jose Eduardo dos Santos and Mohammed Bashir Omar. Here's a bio on him.

¿?
As far as I know the thread was not about Equatorial Guinea politics, but it was just intended to show a bit of this greatly unknown country to the world... Actually, I'd thanks Matthias for showing some recent pics of Bata, it's not easy to find pics of Equatorial Guinea (and even harder if the pics are recent).

I feel so sorry for that country... cos they could enjoy a great quality of life... rich in natural resources, small population... If it wasn't for the damn Obiang and his group of parasites life could be so different for the Guineans...

¿?
As far as I know the thread was not about Equatorial Guinea politics, but it was just intended to show a bit of this greatly unknown country to the world... Actually, I'd thanks Matthias for showing some recent pics of Bata, it's not easy to find pics of Equatorial Guinea (and even harder if the pics are recent).

I feel so sorry for that country... cos they could enjoy a great quality of life... rich in natural resources, small population... If it wasn't for the damn Obiang and his group of parasites life could be so different for the Guineans...


Hey buddy , perhaps you have to see Malabo's new images http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=439688&page=3
Very impressive, considering the size of the city and its location which is off from the mainland.

The corniche in Bata looks amaaaaazing ! Especially it's overlooking the warm blue sea, a perfect spot for family outing in the afternoon :)
A nice place for funfair/ evening parties /entertainment.

Sure there are always two sides to a coin. I do not condone the cosy relationship between Thabo Mbeki and Obiang just as I do not condone the US government's support of this nasty dictator. As far as the ANC is concerned it should freeze the assets of dictators like Teodoro Obiang and Robert Mugabe and show that it really means it about democracy and if they don't do it then it's up to the opposition such as the DA, ID and IFP to make a noise about it. It is dictators like this that pull down Africa. I do not care about the GDP and HDI statistics from the EG government that are most likely fraudulent in the first place and carry little weight in the international community that is already smart to the situation in EG. Given their lack of transparency do you really take them that seriously.

First of all I am not in favour of any dictatorship. Obiang is dreadful and he runs his country like his family business. And he even neatly stashed away millions of dollars in property and private offshore bank accounts. No doubt about that...

But just one question: why did South Africa that is fighting to spread “democracy” in Africa hasn´t forbidden Obiang´s son to buy himself a plush house in Cape Town if those guys are “squeezing their country dry” as you say??? So when it comes to hypocrisy sweep in front of your own doorstep first.


Having said that, on talking about Equatorial Guinea a few points should be paid heed to because not all is so bleak and dreaful like some members feel tempted to say

1.) When oil was first discovered in the mid 90´s, the country was in a very unfavourable condition. 98% (!! I am not joking ) of the profits were pocketed by large American oil companies and the remaining peanuts were left for the state. The government increased its stake by now. It also has set up an own national oil comapny which invest in exploration and drilling . (Geptrol). Filling stations are supplied by Gepetrol, too. So it evloves into something like Petrogabon or even Sonangol, Sonatrech among others.

2. The rate of new oil and gas discoveries have sharply increaased in the past years and the country will churn out something around 600 000 barrels of oil a day by 2009. (in comparison: Kuwait - the size of Equatorial Guinea - started oil production already in the 50´s and produces almost 2.5 Million barrels of oil today)


2.) Public investment has grown tremdeously. The government – despite high levels of corruption – is investing more than 2 Billion US Dollars this year alone ( the highest amount in its history) into the building of roads, highways, elecriticity supply, hospitals, schools, the new capital Malabo II and medical centres. Bear in mind that Equatorial Guinea starts from a very low position. But the trickling donw effect seems to be palpable which is documented by the HDI Index. (even though the indicator remains questionable as a whole, nevertheless a sharp increase is visible which is even higher that South Africa which is frequently cited as Africa´s undisputed economic powerhouse and “role-model” democracy. The building boom is huge in Equatorial Guinea...and suprisngly nobody is talking about it any more, good things never rise to the surface but if a cholora epedemic suddenly flares up, the media are there to tear the country apart. Weird!

3.)It is an empirically verified thesis that non-democratic states economically performed very well. May I just bring back a few names into your memory



All those countries are frequently cited in the press as role model for socio-economic development and words of praise are sung about them


5.) Equatorial Guinea was a victim of a coup plot a few years ago which was perpetrated by South African mercinaries and England (Magret Thatcher´s son). Those fellows wanted to oust Obiang to get some juicy parts out of the pie (billions of dollars in oil and construction contracts). The coup failed...and this explains to a certzain degree obiang´s tighter grip on power since then. (or even paranoia). Sitting on heaps of oil in small and “helpless” African countries is never an easy task (both internally and externally)

6.) Check out the very good macro-economic facts of Equatorial guinea: The internal and external debt ratio is virtually zero. So the country has not borrowed senselessly tons of cash to finance infrastructure projects at home. Look at foreign exchange resserves, “Jeune afrique” said that the country has the highest in Central Africa and the second highest in entire West and central africa (!!) .

7.) We should also keep in mid that one cannot eat democracy alone. Take Mali which ranks very highly in terms of democracy but how many Malians are happy in their own country where they are allowed to speak their mind freely??? On the contrary, they are looking for ways to escape (they did in to Côte d´ivoire in the past which was a dictatorship, they are trying to enter Gabon where a patriarch runs the country more or less “democratically” and they are venture to booming Equatorial Guinea which is a full-blown dictatorship)


In my mind, these are some aspects that should be kept in mind when one talks of Equatorial Guinea. They are always two side to a coin!:)

¿?
As far as I know the thread was not about Equatorial Guinea politics, but it was just intended to show a bit of this greatly unknown country to the world... Actually, I'd thanks Matthias for showing some recent pics of Bata, it's not easy to find pics of Equatorial Guinea (and even harder if the pics are recent).

I feel so sorry for that country... cos they could enjoy a great quality of life... rich in natural resources, small population... If it wasn't for the damn Obiang and his group of parasites life could be so different for the Guineans...

I cannot agree more with you. It is a bloody disgrace that EG is not a little Kuwait of Africa because of this regime and never will be so long as tyranny reins in EG.

double post

Hey buddy , perhaps you have to see Malabo's new images http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=439688&page=3

Thanks for the link! :) EG is a country that makes you dream, cos of its great potential, let's just hope that someday they will get rid of their corrupt leaders and make the dream come true.

Besides, there's an important EG community in Spain, composed in an important part by qualified people who can't live in their country and contribute to its development cos of their nasty dictator..

I remember an EG guy at university who studied architecture, and even though I didn't know him, many times, in the bus, I would listen to him talking to his friends about EG and how beautiful it was despise the awful situation of the country in the present... apparently they have some really awesome beaches in EG too!

Cool they speak Spanish!.

Too bad it's a dictatorship.

Why hasn't Spain (EU) put any pressure on them?

BTW... those beautiful gals are a product of Spain's greatest gift to the world and mankind....Mulatas...( half white/half African) ....

Those Spaniards just can't keep their pants on. Keep humping and bumping.

Those Spaniards just can't keep their pants on. Keep humping and bumping.

Wtf...

Thanks for the link! :) EG is a country that makes you dream, cos of its great potential, let's just hope that someday they will get rid of their corrupt leaders and make the dream come true.

Besides, there's an important EG community in Spain, composed in an important part by qualified people who can't live in their country and contribute to its development cos of their nasty dictator..

I remember an EG guy at university who studied architecture, and even though I didn't know him, many times, in the bus, I would listen to him talking to his friends about EG and how beautiful it was despise the awful situation of the country in the present... apparently they have some really awesome beaches in EG too!

Maybe when Obiang is out of power and EG becomes a multi-party democracy with respect for human rights the Spanish can return to contribute to building EG.

^^
I would love that my country could play an important role in helping to develop a new democratic EG. At the present, our hands are tied, our government has expressed its opposition to the present political situation in EG to Obiang when he was in Spain, but appart from that, there's not much we can do.

And as the Cuba case shows, a boycott would only make the situation worse for the already impoverished EG population.

I do not care about the GDP and HDI statistics from the EG government that are most likely fraudulent in the first place

Most of those stats don't jsut come from the gtovernment. They are made by several organizations. For example, the prediction for GDp growth is made not justby the government, but also by the UN, the World Banks, etc, etc.

HDI is the same way.

and carry little weight in the international community that is already smart to the situation in EG. Given their lack of transparency do you really take them that seriously.

Nobody wants to hear about Eq. guineas rapidly increasing HDI. Nobody wants to hear that their economy is getting better.
They just want to hear bad news, I guess. Everybody always denies it when good news is shown, but they never question the negatives.

Maybe when Obiang is out of power and EG becomes a multi-party democracy with respect for human rights the Spanish can return to contribute to building EG.

1.) Now, I got you and your intentions, the phrase says it all "the Spanish can return to contribute to building EG."

You are so colonial in your attitude. You are inwardly waiting for the Whiteman´s return to Africa. Nothing more to add to this

2.) Spanish companies are already in EG to help rebuild the country. Obiang even travelled to Spain and was welcomed there. Do you want me to show you the articles and photos that I have collected??? The opposition of EG is in Spain and his opponent promised Spanish companies billions in contracts once he comes to power. This is a fact! Money and influence rules the damn world we are exposed to and not democracy or any of its principles!

I do not care about the GDP and HDI statistics from the EG government that are most likely fraudulent in the first place and carry little weight in the international community that is already smart to the situation in EG. Given their lack of transparency do you really take them that seriously.

1.) I got you again. Weren´t you the one that propagated the use of HDI Index and who emphasied that indicators intoduced by international agencies are trustworthy ...Now, it is you who is looking for exceptions to the rule! If we have aggreed to use the internationally acknowledged indicators, then we have to stick to them or throw them overboard alltogether.

Sorry, Mosi I am sure you haven´t read what I said carefully otherwise your comments would have been different.

So once again, open your eyes and read it once again.

Originally Posted by Matthias Offodile View Post
First of all I am not in favour of any dictatorship. Obiang is dreadful and he runs his country like his family business. And he even neatly stashed away millions of dollars in property and private offshore bank accounts. No doubt about that...

But just one question: why did South Africa that is fighting to spread “democracy” in Africa hasn´t forbidden Obiang´s son to buy himself a plush house in Cape Town if those guys are “squeezing their country dry” as you say??? So when it comes to hypocrisy sweep in front of your own doorstep first.


Having said that, on talking about Equatorial Guinea a few points should be paid heed to because not all is so bleak and dreaful like some members feel tempted to say

1.) When oil was first discovered in the mid 90´s, the country was in a very unfavourable condition. 98% (!! I am not joking ) of the profits were pocketed by large American oil companies and the remaining peanuts were left for the state. The government increased its stake by now. It also has set up an own national oil comapny which invest in exploration and drilling . (Geptrol). Filling stations are supplied by Gepetrol, too. So it evloves into something like Petrogabon or even Sonangol, Sonatrech among others.

2. The rate of new oil and gas discoveries have sharply increaased in the past years and the country will churn out something around 600 000 barrels of oil a day by 2009. (in comparison: Kuwait - the size of Equatorial Guinea - started oil production already in the 50´s and produces almost 2.5 Million barrels of oil today)


2.) Public investment has grown tremdeously. The government – despite high levels of corruption – is investing more than 2 Billion US Dollars this year alone ( the highest amount in its history) into the building of roads, highways, elecriticity supply, hospitals, schools, the new capital Malabo II and medical centres. Bear in mind that Equatorial Guinea starts from a very low position. But the trickling donw effect seems to be palpable which is documented by the HDI Index. (even though the indicator remains questionable as a whole, nevertheless a sharp increase is visible which is even higher that South Africa which is frequently cited as Africa´s undisputed economic powerhouse and “role-model” democracy. The building boom is huge in Equatorial Guinea...and suprisngly nobody is talking about it any more, good things never rise to the surface but if a cholora epedemic suddenly flares up, the media are there to tear the country apart. Weird!

3.)It is an empirically verified thesis that non-democratic states economically performed very well. May I just bring back a few names into your memory



All those countries are frequently cited in the press as role model for socio-economic development and words of praise are sung about them


5.) Equatorial Guinea was a victim of a coup plot a few years ago which was perpetrated by South African mercinaries and England (Magret Thatcher´s son). Those fellows wanted to oust Obiang to get some juicy parts out of the pie (billions of dollars in oil and construction contracts). The coup failed...and this explains to a certzain degree obiang´s tighter grip on power since then. (or even paranoia). Sitting on heaps of oil in small and “helpless” African countries is never an easy task (both internally and externally)

6.) Check out the very good macro-economic facts of Equatorial guinea: The internal and external debt ratio is virtually zero. So the country has not borrowed senselessly tons of cash to finance infrastructure projects at home. Look at foreign exchange resserves, “Jeune afrique” said that the country has the highest in Central Africa and the second highest in entire West and central africa (!!) .

7.) We should also keep in mid that one cannot eat democracy alone. Take Mali which ranks very highly in terms of democracy but how many Malians are happy in their own country where they are allowed to speak their mind freely??? On the contrary, they are looking for ways to escape (they did in to Côte d´ivoire in the past which was a dictatorship, they are trying to enter Gabon where a patriarch runs the country more or less “democratically” and they are venture to booming Equatorial Guinea which is a full-blown dictatorship)


In my mind, these are some aspects that should be kept in mind when one talks of Equatorial Guinea. They are always two side to a coin

That´s for you too, Mosi!


It is an empirically verified thesis that non-democratic states economically performed very well. May I just bring back a few names into your memory


Originally posted by Matthias Offodile
Quote:
a.) China : run is no doubt a brutal dictaorship but the country is growing in leaps and bounds and more and more people are getting welathier
b.) South Korea from 60´s -80´s was a full blown dictorship but it lay the basis for economic development
c.) Côte d´ivoire under Felix Houphoet-Boigny grew rapidsly in the 60´s – 80´s and urban poverty levels declined rapidly, Abidjan ´s poverty rate was around 5% in 1985, todays is is more than 45% figure date back to 2004, read this is an article)
d.) Most of the South East Asian tigers are ruled with an iron fist: Malaysia and Singapore but living standards are high to very high!
Indonesia witnessed the sharpest rise in its GDP when it was under Suharto´s dictatorship!!!
e.) Brazil grew at its best when it was undemocratically ruled
f) All of the glitzy smaller Gulf Countries are dictorships: Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman. But the UAE has created a state fund that already amounts to more than 850 Billion US dollars in cash which could allow them to buy off entire rich industrialized countries.Their fund is even higher than that of highly democratic, corruption-free and "clean" Norway whose oil fund stand somehwere around 300 Billion US Dollars.
g.) Brunei is run in a way that is equal Louis Quatorze during France´s absolutisme, but chekck out its HDI Index and its foreign excanges resserves and so on, thhe country and its citizens are perversely rich.

Anton, surprisingly you never leave a comment on our sub-forum but when it comes to Africa´s only Spanish-speaking country, you as a Spaniard is not short of ideas and "compassion" for the "wretched little creatures in a potentially ultra-rich country run by a nasty dictator" !



Nobody wants to hear about Eq. guineas rapidly increasing HDI. Nobody wants to hear that their economy is getting better.
They just want to hear bad news, I guess. Everybody always denies it when good news is shown, but they never question the negatives.

Dantexavier, That´s my point, it is an open secret that the Whiteman inwardly regrets having lost its African possessions. And the only way is how they can influence and destroy entire countries is by means of their over-powering and highly psychologically well-targeted media organs.
If the opposition wins tomorrow in EG, Spanish companies would get more contracts than they would imagine and you will see how positive the news will become about the country. WESTERN MEDIA = public relations = economic and cultural interests.

Again: I am not a fan of Obiang but living conditions have become better for its citizens than they once used to be. It is an undeniable fact!

Moreover, people from democratically ruled African countries like Ghana, Benin and Mali are looking for ways to enter dicatatorial Equatorial Guinea by all means which has imposed very harsh and strict immigtation laws. Weird, shouldn´t it be the other way round? Equatorial Guineans trying to look for a better life in democratic and free Ghana, Benin or Mali????

Some one said that EG is not like Kuwait. This gave me a goodmorning´s big laugh! You are comparing apples to bananas, Was Kuwait as developped as it is nowadays in the 60´s??? Kuwait is faaaar richer than EG. So comparisons are not al all adequate.

1.) When oil was first discovered in the mid 90´s, Equatorial Guinea was in a very unfavourable condition. 98% (!! I am not joking ) of the profits were pocketed by large American oil companies and the remaining peanuts were left for the state. The government increased its stake by now. It also has set up an own national oil comapny which invest in exploration and drilling . (Geptrol). Filling stations are supplied by Gepetrol, too. So it evloves into something like Petrogabon or even Sonangol, Sonatrech among others.

2.) The rate of new oil and gas discoveries have sharply increaased in the past years and the country will churn out something around 600 000 barrels of oil a day by 2009. (in comparison: Kuwait - the size of Equatorial Guinea - started oil production already in the 50´s and produces almost 2.5 Million barrels of oil today)

Equatorial Guinea was a victim of a coup plot a few years ago which was perpetrated by South African mercinaries and England (Magret Thatcher´s son). Those fellows wanted to oust Obiang to get some juicy parts out of the pie (billions of dollars in oil and construction contracts). The coup failed...and this explains to a certzain degree obiang´s tighter grip on power since then. (or even paranoia). Sitting on heaps of oil in small and “helpless” African countries is never an easy task (both internally and externally)


I am dead sure that once EG produces more than 1 miilion barrels of oil a day not to speak of Kuwait´s 2.5 million barrels of oil a day, international criticism will even die down completely, if a country has become too rich, it has become "untouchable" in a way ...and "heroic" calls for democracy loose all of their steam all of a sudden.:)

1.) Now, I got you and your intentions, the phrase says it all "the Spanish can return to contribute to building EG."

You are so colonial in your attitude. You are inwardly waiting for the Whiteman´s return to Africa. Nothing more to add to this.

Oh jeez, is it something personal against me or are you really so paranoid? I said I wish Spain could do more to help the EG people, and from that you get that I want "the whiteman's return to Africa"... :ohno:

I also would like everybody to notice the racist remarks against white people... had it been a white guy making such statements about black people and I'm sure the mods and forumers would have acted very differently.

Oh jeez, is it something personal against me or are you really so paranoid? I said I wish Spain could do more to help the EG people, and from that you get that I want "the whiteman's return to Africa"... :ohno:

I also would like everybody to notice the racist remarks against white people... had it been a white guy making such statements about black people and I'm sure the mods and forumers would have acted very differently.

Yeah, you're right. Matthias, let's try to be fair here. Anton only wishes for Eq. Guinea to get a little better in the future, and he'd like to see his country help. That doesn't mean he wants to see a return to colonialism.

Let's not go the other way now and prejudge others and alienate some people who want to help just because they may be of a certain race. if we do that and be unfair, then are we any better than those people back in the past who labelled us for being black?

Racist colonialist isn't the type of label folks should throw around.

^^
Thanks man, you understood exactly what I meant.

Ahmed Sekou Toure, the first President of Guinea, once said: "We prefer poverty in freedom to riches in slavery."

I happen to share his view. I do not care that countries performed well economically under undemocratic regimes, which are basically totalitarian with no regards for human rights. I dont care how rich my economy is, when I cannot vote for my leaders, have no say in the affairs of my country, have no personal freedoms, cannot speak or write freely, live in constant fear of death, and have no human rights. These are all characteristics of "undemocratic" regimes.

(Ironically, Toure became a totalitarian leader...This is Africa)

Oh jeez, is it something personal against me or are you really so paranoid? I said I wish Spain could do more to help the EG people, and from that you get that I want "the whiteman's return to Africa"... :ohno:

I also would like everybody to notice the racist remarks against white people... had it been a white guy making such statements about black people and I'm sure the mods and forumers would have acted very differently.

Anton,

Disregard Matthias Offodile as he is like Robert Mugabe in his world view. Strangely Matthias is a beneficiary of the former French-backed dictator Felix Houphoet Boigney of the Ivory Coast whom Matthias eulogized in his nostalgic thread about Abidjan in the 1980's and he was hostile to anyone including forumer Allokou who is also an Ivoirian who supports the peace process in that country and wants it to succeed under multi-party democracy, something that never existed under Felix Houphoet Boigney.

Ahmed Sekou Toure, the first President of Guinea, once said: "We prefer poverty in freedom to riches in slavery."

I happen to share his view. I do not care that countries performed well economically under undemocratic regimes, which are basically totalitarian with no regards for human rights. I dont care how rich my economy is, when I cannot vote for my leaders, have no say in the affairs of my country, have no personal freedoms, cannot speak or write freely, live in constant fear of death, and have no human rights. These are all characteristics of "undemocratic" regimes.

(Ironically, Toure became a totalitarian leader...This is Africa)

Interesting analogy from the late Marxist Sekou Toure but a sad fact which explains why the continent is the world's poorest.

You are right about Angola. I must say I shared the same view about SA under apartheid in the 1980's which denied the vote to the black majority even though it was a rich country with alot of potential but a country with no future at the time as it faced the prospect of a race war and economic collapse under the weight of sanctions and economic mismanagement by the former National Party regime. Fortunately we are not in the same boat anymore in the post-aprtheid era although we do have our problems of rampant crime, unemployment, AIDS and the Zimbabwean refugees fleeing the tyranny of Robert Mugabe.

I wish we could leave this thread free of political discussions..

I wish we could leave this thread free of political discussions..

Yeah, I guess. They just seem to show up though; it's almost automatic.

That's true guys. It seems that we cannot escape talking about politics, myself included. It's jst that it is the easiest and only way to explain why countries like Eq Guinea are not the Kuwait of Africa. One cannot discuss these issues without talking about politics. Nonetheless, I am happy that Bata looks A LOT better than Malabo. I once stopped in Malabo on the way to Luanda...Although I didnt even leave the airport, the poverty was rampant.

Mosi or should I say Mr "It takes more than 50 years for Angola until it reaches its status of 1975" , you are so funny that I do not know if I should vomit, cry or simply laugh out loudly. You are embittered former white Rhodesian now living in South Africa and the loss of your "whiteman´s land" has made you so horribly negative that all you can think of is doom, doom and gloom till the end of your wretched little existence, my contempt for you cannot be summed up in words otherwise I need to loose myself entirely again what I am already doing so I will just ignore you stupid silly provocacting idiot that can´t wait until a "white president takes over in SA" again, I read this in one of your former commenst, you are so descredited and awful, man!

As for Côte d´ivoire, it is an established fact - no matter who backed whom- that his country fared well when the old man ruled. I am not saying that he was perfect, nobody is but he was better, much better that the rot that followed starting from Bedié to the guy that steers the country now. ALL YOU SEE, ALL THAT CRUMBLES STARTING FROM SCHOOLS HOSPITALS AND ROADS BUILDINGS AND HIGHWAYS was built under the old man. ALL WAS DONE WITHOUT OIL MONEY BUT WITH A WELL PLANNED AGRICULTURAL POLICIES AND BROAD-BASED AGRO-INDUSTRIES that helped to reduce rural poverty considerably!!!!! Corruption is very high there by now and the oil money goes unaccounted for. But this is the country you adore just because Thabo Mbéki got some big and promising contracts there??? That´s not a country that I like, Ivory Coast desseves better than this. It deserves better politicians than the ones that are ruling it now!! If Ivory Coast could fully recover , you would have four good and promising West African countries (namely Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Senegal) . Countries could start to profit from each other and the sub-region needs Ivory Coast aboard! Mosi, You haven´t lived in that country and you know very little about it ? Do you have personal contacts to Ivory Coast??? so how can you say anything? Am I discussing South African related politics or politics within Zimbabwe??? I cannot tell the world that life is good on mars when I have never set foot on it.

Mosi, all you can do is come to our forum and leave bitter comments how many times have I been on your forum and left comments ???

If you have nothing more to add than to stir up trouble with your comments or spread lies about me or other members, simply stay away!

This page is about construction and presentation of countries and not about politics we had this silly debate how many times now???!!! YOU WERE THE ONE THAT STARTED WITH POLITICS AND PROVOCATIONS AGAIN BY ACCUSING ME ABOUT THING THAT ARE UNTRUE, you bloody chap!

Goossh, If you stood in front of me and I would simply knock you down and beat you up properly ´cos this is what you are asking for!!!

Blacklion, I can understand your point but just tell me can you eat democracy? Would people in Singapore , Malaysia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Brunei leave their amazing countries to establish themselves durably in India which is a so-called "democracy" where you can shout at the president, organize demonstrations peacefully, cast your vote etc.? I doubt it!

If I had a chance I would immediatedly either settle in the smaller Gulf countries or in Singapore or Malaysia which are awesome countries where very little or even no poverty meets the eye and crime is word that is seldom heard of! Honestly said, I give a toss for democracy if people materially live a (very) good life in safety, order, and structure.

Moreover, how many people are flocking to Equatorial Guinea from West Africa and elsewhere?? You can only read in the papers about people that leave from countries that rank highly in terms of democracy within Africa (Ghana, Mali and Benin) that are looking for greener pastures in Equatorial Guinea and some even as far away as the Gulf countries. In your logic, this is a paradox.

What do you want in life? Speaking your mind in starvation or "be muzzled" while living a life of material well-being where hospitals are top-notch, roads are well-tarred, where your kids are sent to the state-of the art schools and modern universities??? Please, don´t tell me now that you would prefer a life in poverty in a democratic state!


you should also know that countries starting from a low basis - all of the countries that I have cited above fall into this category and Equatorial Guinea is there , too, it started much later than the ones menetioned above, however - developped so fast because "a clever man" (I am certainly not talking about Obiang here) pushed things forward for the material well-being of its citizens .

Anton, where did I treat you as a "racist colonialist", please? All I said is that it is surprising that you NEVER left a comment for any other African countries but when it comes to Africa´s only Spanish-speaking country, you as a Spainiard are not short of ideas and comments. This came as a surprise to me ´cos the rest of the continent - apart from South Africa where you leave comments on their forum every now and then - seem to go off your ass! That´s all! This is NOTHING against you personally, it is just a plain observation/comment from my part! Sorry, if it has been misinterpreted repeatedly, it was not meant that way!

Mosi or should I say Mr "It takes more than 50 years for Angola until it reaches its status of 1975" , you are so funny that I do not know if I should vomit, cry or simply laugh out loudly. You are embittered former white Rhodesian now living in South Africa and the loss of your "whiteman´s land" has made you so horribly negative that all you can think of is doom, doom and gloom till the end of your wretched little existence, my contempt for you cannot be summed up in words otherwise I need to loose myself entirely again what I am already doing so I will just ignore you stupid silly provocacting idiot that can´t wait until a "white president takes over in SA" again, I read this in one of your former commenst, you are so descredited and awful, man!

As for Côte d´ivoire, it is an established fact - no matter who backed whom- that his country fared well when the old man ruled. I am not saying that he was perfect, nobody is but he was better, much better that the rot that followed starting from Bedié to the guy that steers the country now. ALL YOU SEE, ALL THAT CRUMBLES STARTING FROM SCHOOLS HOSPITALS AND ROADS BUILDINGS AND HIGHWAYS was built under the old man. ALL WAS DONE WITHOUT OIL MONEY BUT WITH A WELL PLANNED AGRICULTURAL POLICIES AND BROAD-BASED AGRO-INDUSTRIES that helped to reduce rural poverty considerably!!!!! Corruption is very high there by now and the oil money goes unaccounted for. But this is the country you adore just because Thabo Mbéki got some big and promising contracts there??? That´s not a country that I like, Ivory Coast desseves better than this. It deserves better politicians than the ones that are ruling it now!! If Ivory Coast could fully recover , you would have four good and promising West African countries (namely Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Senegal) . Countries could start to profit from each other and the sub-region needs Ivory Coast aboard! Mosi, You haven´t lived in that country and you know very little about it ? Do you have personal contacts to Ivory Coast??? so how can you say anything? Am I discussing South African related politics or politics within Zimbabwe??? I cannot tell the world that life is good on mars when I have never set foot on it.

Mosi, all you can do is come to our forum and leave bitter comments how many times have I been on your forum and left comments ???

If you have nothing more to add than to stir up trouble with your comments or spread lies about me or other members, simply stay away!

This page is about construction and presentation of countries and not about politics we had this silly debate how many times now???!!! YOU WERE THE ONE THAT STARTED WITH POLITICS AND PROVOCATIONS AGAIN BY ACCUSING ME ABOUT THING THAT ARE UNTRUE, you bloody chap!

Goossh, If you stood in front of me and I would simply knock you down and beat you up properly ´cos this is what you are asking for!!!

Matthias,

You are a thug! So what if I were a Rhodesian. Does that make any difference as far as the points I am making. Are you the racist instead? At least I'm not fond of despots but you have a fettish for them.

Simply shut up, Mosi, it was you who started messing up the thread. It should have been a thread dedicated to the prsentation of Bata and you made a nasty politics threat out of it! Bravo well, done!

Our hostility is old and it runs deeper and deeper, so please simply ZIEH LEINE!

RIGHT EH

YOUR EXCELLENCY COMRADE PRESIDENT ROBERT GABRIEL MUGABE

Mosi, can´t we simply cut it off here! We talk on cross purpose! Both of us will never reach common ground on any point, NEVER!

Centro Cultural Español de Bata
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/3775773.jpg

Plaza Del Reloj
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/3775892.jpg

Plaza Del Reloj
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/3775941.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/3775971.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/3776224.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/3945399.jpg

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/3945401.jpg

Hotel Panafrica desde Paseo Marítimo
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/3945419.jpg

I'm very surprised by this city!

Wow!

Not bad at all. Let's hope this is only the begining.

what a pleasant suprise again, I wonder why Malabo - the capital and the place where the president lives - is in such a deplorable state, ta leats the old parts...and ohhh wonder wonder, the streets look really clean, I just love it!:cheers:

Thanks a lot Stromshadow, keep it coming!:)

You welcome everyone. This city is unexpected for many. The city appears clean and orderly with development happening.

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/1787/batavy4.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/8187/bata1gf9.jpg

some more pics

http://guinea-equatorial.com/photos/Bata_Airport_640x480.jpg

http://guinea-equatorial.com/photos/Bata_Social_Housing_640x480.jpg

Mattias,

You must be a fan of Teodoro Obiang. Not quite a democrat noted for good governance but a nasty dictator just like Robert Mugabe, Jose Eduardo dos Santos and Mohammed Bashir Omar. Here's a bio on him.

Prima di parlare dei paese di altri guarda primo il tuo. Ignorante, nessio.
Look to your countrie first and than may be, i repeat may be:bash::bash: later say some thing about the others. "Nessio".

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/7355/62896871ye1.jpg

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5069/39224127cw5.jpg

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/9464/57185944im8.jpg

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/2470/59438070zx2.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1203/1478312803_4ba0f20e90_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1134/1479160150_3e9bdc6bee_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1394/1479156814_15b9db64d3_b.jpg

Bata Stadium
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1062/1478306243_6c27f1d2d6_o.jpg

Thanks Stormshadow!:) Great new collection of pics that you show us here!:cheers:


Here is one more of an area on the outskirts of Bata

some construction ongoing in this area, I think

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/2206/zbata1we9.jpg

Bata appears in much better condition than Malabo and even currently. Although there is some development taking place in Malabo. One would think Bata is the actual capital of EG.

a new batch of photos from really surprisng and clean Bata. if you compare Bata to the shithole Malabo.... it is as if you have left the country, this is the most incredible aspect of cityscape of EGQ. Considering that Bata is neither the capital, nor the place of birth of Obiang or a place where the preisdent lives.....it all seems to boil down to the mayor´s dutiful work who seems to love his city

Photos all from 2007

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9357/bata1nj0.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/2026/bata2bx8.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7365/bata4es2.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/5333/bata5bv5.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/980/bata7hn9.jpg

some random street

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/929/bata9md3.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/1395/bata10dn0.jpg

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/6376/bata11rj5.jpg

Very nice updates, guys! I'm enjoying this thread a whole lot!

Lovely Photos. Beautiful city with so much potential.

November 2007



the new public hospital Lap Paz in Bata has opened now and it looks presentable to me

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1165/1341639358_a368c1f90f_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1333/1340752447_1b0390e01f_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1102/1341448444_b31725a51c_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1013/1340553497_bbf871b8b3_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1034/1341353498_73f6229522_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1197/1341356338_2286dba3e5_b.jpg

dormitories for the hospital staff

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1349/1340572947_ffca47647e_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1319/1340558569_2cc91f8edd_b.jpg


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1070/1341456668_c2351d0954_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1028/1340576537_e72295eae5_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1217/1341643346_d40ab0ca53_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1052/1341452018_fa03e730fc_b.jpg

street view

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1087/1340556759_174ae9654c_b.jpg


PS: Why is Bata so much better than Malabo, Malabo is the seat of the government? I can´t understand it!

Good pictures once again, Matt. Yes, Bata appears to be in better condition and well managed compared to Malabo. However, Malabo is transforming.

wow, i am really impressed with Beta, i actually know a very beautiful girl from Equatorial Guinea. I will try ask her for some explanations as to why Beta looks much better than the Capital City.

I still can't believe it. I'd actually like living in Bata. It seems like a very clean, organized and modern city. I've never seen anything like this?!
You'd think Malabo and Bata belong to two completely different countries; or at the very least, you'd think Bata is the major city in that country.

Bata is clean and organized ! I think its location in the mainland makes it more stuitable to be the capital instead of Malabo ;)

this city looks good, it has potential...

Bata looks good but all of the money goes into mouth of Obiang. There are no hospitals, roads, universities, no schools. Before I left Gabon to study abroad, I went to Equatorial Guinea, all is misery in this country and their people come to my country, Gabon, to look for money. Many are catch by our police and sent back , but they come again and again.

edit

MULEMA, please accept other people´s opinion!

I do neither agree with what Gabaoman says but it is his opinion! he was in EQQ. I haven´t been there to confirm it.

And as far as corruption is concerned Equatorial Guinea figures well below Gabon which is placed among the top least corrupt countries in Africa, whether you like it or not!

I have just noticed that you hop from thread to thread by bad mouthing other countries while and telling lies whereas you try to sell us other countries for heaven on earth.

When someone shows something negative about Maputo you explode and you fall prey to the very same follies that you accuse other members of.

Moreover, it is me who intiated this thread something which might have escaped your selective and distorted perception.

edit

Mulema, You are a psycho and need help, and into the bargain you are full of complexes!

edit

Mulema, You are a psycho and need help, and into the bargain you are full of complexes!

me gustaria ver mas fotos de bata

yo amo bata y su gente

saludos desde monterrey mexico

August/October

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/6564/15518456el7.jpg

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/1703/13934262xn8.jpg

http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/8890/13934297tu0.jpg

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/3561/13934427uk3.jpg

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/2623/15518581ha6.jpg

2005

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/7026/13934645ez2.jpg

Wow! I didnt expect that from Eq Guinea.

fotos de bata, guinea ecuatorial

saludos a la familia nsue desde mexico

Thing is, when you have a country this corrupt, like Gabon next door, the fact that they have such small populations mean that some of the oil money will inevitably trickle down- there is only so much African politicans can steal.

popa1980, your hatred (or maybe inward jealously) towards Gabon is terrible, you can´t open a single thread without bashing this small African country. But you are right, Gabon is woefully corrupt but the fact that it is still among Africa ten least corrupt countries due to Transparency International shows me that the vast majority of other African countries are even more corrupt.

EQG and Gabon are way apart in terms of corruption due to Transparency International.

Really you should start to learn French in order to keep yourself abreast.:)



Out of 179..country ranking


84 Gabon (with oil)
168 Equatorial Guinea (with oil)

mega emerging markets in comparison..that the world praises day in and day out

72 Brazil
72 India
105 Argentina
105 Egypt
143 Russia
143 Indonesia

http://www.transparency.org/news_room/in_focus/2007/cpi2007/cpi_2007_table



I would appreciate if we could concentrate on showing pictures instead. The thread is destined to portrayal of countries and not bashing them. Thanks:)

Gabon is still a woefully corrupt country, the fact thet Ghana is one of the least corrupt countries in Africa means nothing since Africa is so corrupt. The fact is, the reason why Gabon appears wealthy and Nigeria does not, is that Nigeria has a population:oil ratio much less than Gabon. If Nigeria had, say, 10 million people- but the same level of corruption- it would probably have the same HDI as Gabon.

To be honest, its a MIRACLE how Gabon is not in the top 50 countries HDI in the world- with its small population, fertile soil, tourist potential and of course oil. It shows that African leaders are capable of making the unlikely a reality.

Here is a cheer to incompetent African leaders, I wish them a great New Year and all the success in continuing plundering and mismanaging their respective countries!

I was looking photos of Equatorial Guinea will be a few days
something that surprised me was that the HDI has increased significantly in recent years
and as the city of Bata, has a good urban design, which reaches to recall the South African cities

popa1980, your really wreak my nerves with your ceaseless negativity....Gabon is the only Afrrican country (South of Sahara) that has the highest HDI (outside Seychelles and Mauritius..and Seychelles has less than 80 000 people) at times I am negative and down when it comes to Africa but you leave me groping for words.....and I said to you that the few drops of oil Gabon has, doesn´t make it "rich" compared to the true petrostetas of this world like Kuwait or UAE! Its national budget is not big and on par with those of ressource-rich Namibia and Botswna. (0.25 of oil day for Gabon and more than 2.5 million barrels of oil a day for Kuwait...that a huge difference!!!)....if Gabon produced that amount you would see it where Brunei is or even further because the country gets a lot of technical help from its former "mother country" among other countries, of course....the leader of Gabon managed to hold together a multi-ethnic country and should be given credit for it, at least..even other small, ressource-rich and more homgenous African nations than Gabon haven´t made it.

and HDI is not the end of the world, it doesn´t include important parametres like healthy air, ecological preservation or happiness of citizens among others.

Could we please focus on photos here??:hug: I am tired of these deabtes, really

Paella Equatorial Guinean style, it is said..looks tasty!:cheers:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2297/2368890057_1c70d3449a_b.jpg

Matt, Gabons HDI is WELL below where it should be. How it is NOT in the top 50 is a complete miracle.

Ja, hol Dir eine runter drauf, Depp!

EG will be co-hosting the Nations cup with Gabon in 2012....Cant wait to see more of this nation.

Bata is so...spacious. (That is a good thing!)

I don't know much about Equatorial Guinea but this city looks promising.

finding out about a city like this one, is why I come to SSC!
I would have never known about this place unless I came here, no one reports on a place like this especially not the Western press. Its amazing how good things in Africa are ignored so outright.

please post more pics.

A beautiful City !!! The hospital is very modern, kinda reminds of the hospital in the Simpsons lol

Hopefully, these new images will stick...because I am tired of photobucketting all the time

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/SVODZ_2bxAI/AAAAAAAABK4/OT4YMIHSuZc/s800/DSCN3421.JPG

you can see a new highway below

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/SVOC9eT4F5I/AAAAAAAABKY/Gn7frvdXmcg/s800/DSCN3412.JPG

So clean and organised!

The reason why Bata looks so nice and Malabo is kind of taky is because Obiang is from Bata. So he invests a lot of money in Bata instead of Malabo. There are two main "tribes" in EG. 1st Fangs on the mainland and Bubis on the island of Bioko. They cant stand each other, there is a movement for the independence of the island of Bioko.
I have heard that he even wants to move the capital from Malabo to Bata.

By the way, thanks for the pictures, they are just amazing!

New projects for Bata:cheers:

http://www.mourabet.com/images/projects/residential/towers/e2.jpg

new hotel

http://www.mourabet.com/images/projects/commercial/hotels/t2.jpg

bank

http://www.mourabet.com/images/projects/commercial/building/c2.jpg

Bata Seafront Leisure Park

http://www.mourabet.com/images/projects/commercial/recreation/m2.jpg

Bata Public Library u/c

http://www.mourabet.com/images/projects/gov/u2.jpg

New International Airport u/c as well due to jeune afrique magazine

http://www.mourabet.com/images/projects/gov/c2.jpg

office

http://www.mourabet.com/images/projects/gov/d2.jpg

Beach Club Villas

http://www.mourabet.com/images/projects/residential/palaces/j2.jpg

some updates of this truly suprisingly quaint city

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/3271474.jpg

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/11338795.jpg

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/11338869.jpg

http://static1.bareka.com/photos/medium/13934004.jpg

http://static4.bareka.com/photos/medium/18294739.jpg

http://static1.bareka.com/photos/medium/18294716.jpg

http://static3.bareka.com/photos/medium/13934262.jpg

supermarket

http://mw2.google.com/mw-panoramio/photos/medium/11338827.jpg

it is very nice

Go Equatorial Guinea, it's gonna be the future Qatar of africa ! :)

I like this city, it is so clean and growing so nicely:cheers:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_PhT9VQumI9w/ShpSwiPqkLI/AAAAAAAAAFs/HXlBJAnG-mc/s576/IMG_3679.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuB6ZEPq_I/AAAAAAAAAjg/K9wJO-bSStM/s576/IMG_2038.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuCkv3eLII/AAAAAAAAAkE/r46jGfbwH30/s576/IMG_2047.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuCpJoZ6MI/AAAAAAAAAkI/b0fI-E7Ps6c/s576/IMG_2048.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuCt5jQkaI/AAAAAAAAAkM/lem6dO1dNJc/s576/IMG_2049.JPG

so beatiful and so cleaaan:cheers:

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuC85CdtyI/AAAAAAAAAkY/YnuoqmbN-ms/s576/IMG_2052.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuDHvNRSbI/AAAAAAAAAkk/tRTQQ_JYyFo/s576/IMG_2054.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuDRQ4aWRI/AAAAAAAAAks/ZP9NI-5HnA4/s576/IMG_2056.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuDVd5WRVI/AAAAAAAAAkw/fuTLs0XMo9w/s576/IMG_2057.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuDe0Ih-yI/AAAAAAAAAk4/Pzr5F-tVsDU/s576/IMG_2062.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuDpCmH8RI/AAAAAAAAAlE/SiyPV-nerOI/s576/IMG_2064.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuDt5ahCWI/AAAAAAAAAlI/A8JRu6TBBHU/s576/IMG_2065.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuDykfzVSI/AAAAAAAAAlM/NTZFIpbqxR8/s576/IMG_2066.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuEa18Mw4I/AAAAAAAAAl0/IvRAxaTdyTM/s576/IMG_2076.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuEnX0w_0I/AAAAAAAAAl8/Y35D-pXY3xk/s576/IMG_2078.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuErDI0B4I/AAAAAAAAAmE/9lBvYebMMAs/s576/IMG_2080.JPG

intersting place

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuFdOQdF4I/AAAAAAAAAmw/5BMgiWj0Uq4/s576/IMG_2092.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuFmqZ2NII/AAAAAAAAAm4/cTm8SowWUYE/s400/IMG_2094.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_aTNPHbBbFwA/SNuFvE2UjUI/AAAAAAAAAnA/Sz-yjrS-z8I/s576/IMG_2096.JPG

Matt, great photos. I think this is the most developed-looking small city in SS Africa outside the usual nations.

Sorprende lo limpio y organizado de esa ciudad, saludos de España y Colombia

What a cute place... more pics, keep them coming!!! :) EG has SO much potential... let's just hope all that wealth starts spreading to the population soon!

wow so pretty...muy bien bata

Awesome updates.

This place still looks a backwater! If Chinese had built it, it would have grown into a flourishing metropolisis by now with towers and malls and beautiful public parks to relax your guard!

One just has to compare cities in China with that in Africa

This place still looks a backwater! If Chinese had built it, it would have grown into a flourishing metropolisis by now with towers and malls and beautiful public parks to relax your guard!

One just has to compare cities in China with that in Africa

Well, keep in mind that BATA only has a 70,000 people, so I doubt it will ever look like this;

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/2160644698_199675b68f_o.jpg

Even if there is to be a mass urbanization than the city could not reach 200,000 people. Not only does the country have a tiny population.

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/4302/03612aa5ig3.jpg

Pudong area:cheers:, a few years ago: it looked like 95%of Africa today: only swamps, fishing village and digusting poverty, now it rivals with places like New York!

But African cities will never be another Pudong, only if hell freezes over!

Africa is always nice on paper but in reality??

Even if there is to be a mass urbanization than the city would not have over 750,000 people because the country it's self only has about 500,000.

:nono:

that´s no excuse, look at Qatar which has a smaller population but still looks like hyper-modern place

Doha skyline

http://www.trekking24.com/uploads/pics/doha-skyline.jpg

:nono:

that´s no excuse, look at Qatar which has a smaller population but still looks like hyper-modern place

Doha skyline

http://www.trekking24.com/uploads/pics/doha-skyline.jpg

I understand that but Qatar still has 3 times the population of Eq. Guinea and Quatar is historically more educated than Eq. Guinea, so you didn't have to worry about having an "educated personnel" or finding an educated workforce AS MUCH as you would in Qatar.

(btw: A lot of that development in the Qatar picture if for untemporary residents (hotels for tourists, etc)

I understand that but Qatar still has 3 times the population of Eq. Guinea and Quatar is historically more educated than Eq. Guinea, so you didn't have to worry about having an "educated personnel" or finding an educated workforce AS MUCH as you would in Qatar.

(btw: A lot of that development in the Qatar picture if for untemporary residents (hotels for tourists, etc)

sorry, but this is a shallow excuse for Equatorial Guineans being lazy and not innovative! I hate laziness and indiscipline!

EGQ could be another Qatar or heck if you want it smaller look at Bahrain and compare it to the cities of EGQ

http://aycu08.webshots.com/image/44007/2006139721899170525_rs.jpg

matias ofodike, you are beginning to sound ridiculous
That island is too tiny, it won't even be able to support such huge sky scrappers due to soil erosion and volcanoes from Cameroon There is a reason the government is building moderate buildings.
If I were you, I would compare it to be like Monaco than Qatar

matias ofodike, you are beginning to sound ridiculous
That island is too tiny, it won't even be able to support such huge sky scrappers due to soil erosion and volcanoes from Cameroon There is a reason the government is building moderate buildings.
If I were you, I would compare it to be like Monaco than Qatar

:nuts:

Area:

total: 741 sq km

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/small/ba-map.gif

Area:

total: 28,051 sq km

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/small/ek-map.gif

I do think your arguments looses all of its plausibility!

Bata is on the mainland and not even a city on the island

^^ Matt , i think you are wasting your time talking to someone from another planet.:lol:

:nuts:


I do think your arguments looses all of its plausibility!

Bata is on the mainland and not even a city on the island

Did you read anything about me mentioning Bata?
I mean the main island
Please read before basing your little judgments
what is more plausible is your little drama queenish behavior when someone disagrees with you or when outsmarts you

Chrisnagel, you are truly a great word twister and learn to relate your message instead of fling in information out of the wild so that confusion is limited....but what can one expect from a guy/girl that makes such a fuss to present herself/himself to a foum although you were asked several times by different forumers! LOOOLLL

I do still stick to places like Bahrain and Bioko island!

matthias u are too envious....u think by building skyscrapers to the moon makes a country look more modern....u dont have to copy the chinese who are building skyscrapers everywhere or UAE....just be urself...build a nice city...an example of that is cape town...it doesnt have heights of dubai or shangai skylines but its beautiful in nature along with nice skylines...thats what i want all other african cities to emulate.

matthias u are too envious....u think by building skyscrapers to the moon makes a country look more modern....u dont have to copy the chinese who are building skyscrapers everywhere or UAE....just be urself...build a nice city...an example of that is cape town...it doesnt have heights of dubai or shangai skylines but its beautiful in nature along with nice skylines...thats what i want all other african cities to emulate.

Envious? I would call it ambition! Never rest never be satisfied with yourself but keep on improving

just like this, I just love this kind of attitude:banana:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3324/3495087209_1bfa0aa4ed_o.jpg

.....getting rid of poverty and present a shiny place to your citizens and the outsde world , this will earn you respect

Skyscrapers are a symbol of modernism and economic might! Why the heck do you think that Asia, US and the Gulf Arabs race for the best architecture in the world?

I agree with you on Cape Town although its skline has barely changed since 1980´s...it needs to add a bit more skyscrapers to make it look even flashier than it currently does...but I agree that skyscrapers are and must only be for business districts and not for outer areas.

this is whnat I want in Africa as well, considering that this page is all about skyscrapers and cityscapes.

world´s best skylines for me

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Brisbane_skyline_bluesky.jpg/700px-Brisbane_skyline_bluesky.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2156/2047475996_5323a42bc5_b.jpg

Come on, Dennis you would be happy as well to see more skyscrapers mushroom in Africa especially as this is an webpage dedicated to skyscrapers and urban renewal as a whole, ain´t it?

but anyway, let´s get back to the topic´s thread which is Bata!

Singapore?

If anything you should be expecting the larger cities to go in the direction of Singapore such as Lagos, Luanda, Kinshasa, Nairobi and some of the other larger cities on the continent. Yes, it is good to have ambition but the fact remains the same that Bata is a small town and honestly, it actually looks good for a city it's size (judging by the pics on the thread) because not even most US cities with a similar population have even mid-rises and Bata actually does. Yeah, I know some of the cities you posted supposedly have similar population's and many skyscrapers but you must keep in mind that some those countries are not on the brink of collapse because they invested too much in "beautification" and making itself a tourist destination and now they are in debt (in part due to the recession), it's better just to have the necessities and yes, some money should be set aside for beautification but as long as they don't get as caried away as the UAE.

eeeh this city is i think the cleanest in Africa, how can an African city like that be clean to that extent, when i compare it to my Kampala city i see that Kampala is a lot more backward due to poor rule by Museveni

ok back to the topic

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt204/WG-86/Guinea%20Ecuatorial%20Equatorial%20Guinea/n30314136_32102865_5623.jpg

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt204/WG-86/Guinea%20Ecuatorial%20Equatorial%20Guinea/n30314136_30262324_7538.jpg

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt204/WG-86/Guinea%20Ecuatorial%20Equatorial%20Guinea/n30314136_30262299_958.jpg

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt204/WG-86/Guinea%20Ecuatorial%20Equatorial%20Guinea/n30314136_30262294_9494.jpg

http://i612.photobucket.com/albums/tt204/WG-86/Guinea%20Ecuatorial%20Equatorial%20Guinea/n1111301050_153856_7637.jpg

Courtesy of Meesly

here is a decent aerial of bata
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZQk4zDE24ro/SQCEWPWiiRI/AAAAAAAABz4/_75qwYZrYOg/s720/100_0277.jpg

encore...
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ZQk4zDE24ro/SQCDRhwCWmI/AAAAAAAABzQ/BnpVL_ziaL8/s720/100_0267.jpg

Looking good.

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hp_0MMyl_NA/Sw1YGCJxPwI/AAAAAAAACC4/BFy9saJUK_I/s800/IMG_7237.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hp_0MMyl_NA/Sv9Uo4ywRRI/AAAAAAAABrk/q2_03tvzSi4/s800/IMG_7030.jpg

:cheers::cheers::cheers:http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hp_0MMyl_NA/SwRUprdfW5I/AAAAAAAAB1M/UV7euESN4YM/s640/P8250039.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hp_0MMyl_NA/SwRU4hXbRxI/AAAAAAAAB1o/n_44TtlxuN8/s640/P8250040.JPG

I love Equatorial Guinea. Though it's small in size and still has a developing economy, it has all the potential required to become one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, and probably around the world. It takes about a decade or so to see a very different EQ Guinea, I guess.

I want to learn Spanish in EQ Guinea and experience the unique culture and lifestyle there.:cheers:

You should have full confidence in Bata. Just like Pudong of Shanghai, a city could quickly catch up with some of the most advanced cities in the world like New York, London or Tokyo if it wins full government backup to make it a leading business and industrial centre of the world. Sooner or later, Bata will take the place of Malabo as the centre of commerce, industry, tourism, culture and government administration of EQ Guinea.:banana:

EQ Guinea has massive potential. In my opinion, it is one of the few countries that can easily become a developed country in the next 20 years.

For these reasons;

- LOCATION: The mainland part is surrounded by Gabon; which is another stable and financially successful nation (African standards) and also are very strict themselves when it comes to illegal immigration, so EQ do not have about the burden of excessive illegal immigration as much once the economy starts to boom. Also, the the other portion of EQ. Guinea is an island; so will also be less likely to be affected my mass migration.

- ECONOMIC POTENTIAL: EQ Guinea also has a smaller population in combination with having large amounts of oil; which is actually the reason why many Middle Eastern countries are extremely rich.

EQ. Guinea has so much potential it is amazing!

at the waterfront

http://cache.virtualtourist.com/4054967-Beach_in_Bata-Bata.jpg

Pavillion and benches by the sea, Bata

http://cache.virtualtourist.com/4054966-Pavillion_and_benches_by_the_sea-Bata.jpg

Projet Centré aéré multifonctionel de Bata ( Guinée Equatoriale)

http://kanazan.bloxode.com/images/126132432425.jpeg

Government building project for Bata

http://ing.ranalletta.itgo.com/images/prospettiva_frontale_alta.jpg

http://ing.ranalletta.itgo.com/images/africa005.jpg

meelys really beautiful, keep up that work!

Nice, but prime example of "development without development". The underlying economy still is a 3rd world commodity-led developing economy. That means if the oil was to dissapear- the economy would go back to square one in an instance. When I see farms and factories.....

^^ that's sad, they have to diversify.

...also are very strict themselves when it comes to illegal immigration, so EQ do not have about the burden of excessive illegal immigration as much once the economy starts to boom. !

Wish SA could have done the same.

Nice, but prime example of "development without development". The underlying economy still is a 3rd world commodity-led developing economy. That means if the oil was to dissapear- the economy would go back to square one in an instance. When I see farms and factories.....


It reminds me of the Gulf States. Arab governments in the Gulf invest the least its people, (education, infrastructure). Just look at Dubai, people around the world are fascinated by it for the wrong reasons. Most of those buildings have no function and they're built by slave labor. People make it out to be an economic powerhouse when it's really an unsustainable Disney Land. Now Lebanon I can say is becoming the Switzerland of the Middle East for its banks and service industry.

I can't speak for all of Africa, but I'd say many African governments are taking step in the right direction in terms of development. You either have governments who want control every sector of the economy, or ones that are addicted to neo-liberal policies unfortunately.

Bata looks great though, but a photograph really doesn't tell all.

Bata looks great though, but a photograph really doesn't tell all.

Nacfa, i would like to saw you a pictures of Bata ten years ago,and you'll know a photograph does really tell all.

It reminds me of the Gulf States. Arab governments in the Gulf invest the least its people, (education, infrastructure). Just look at Dubai, people around the world are fascinated by it for the wrong reasons. Most of those buildings have no function and they're built by slave labor. People make it out to be an economic powerhouse when it's really an unsustainable Disney Land. Now Lebanon I can say is becoming the Switzerland of the Middle East for its banks and service industry.

I can't speak for all of Africa, but I'd say many African governments are taking step in the right direction in terms of development. You either have governments who want control every sector of the economy, or ones that are addicted to neo-liberal policies unfortunately.

Bata looks great though, but a photograph really doesn't tell all.


Yes, Dubai is indeed horrendous but at least they have tourism, some manufacturing and finance too. EG has NO productive economic sectors whatsoever. This should EASILY be the wealthiest nation in Africa.

How E.G can EASILY be the wealthiest nation in Africa? I remain you this tini country is located in central africa, by far one of the most unestable region in the world. and of course,without a single role model country to follow.....

We should be very happy for E.G. At least the country enjoy a high grade of stability, developement and booming economy. Unlike the remaining Gulf of Guinea states.

Indeed lovely city and lovely country....plus they speak spanish ...

what else can we ask for? lol......hope to visit someday.

Indeed lovely Bata

http://www.embarege-londres.org/GaleriaFotos/DSC_0103.JPGhttp://www.embarege-londres.org/GaleriaFotos/DSC_0095.JPG

----------------------The king of morroco in Bata
- ------------------http://www.embarege-londres.org/GaleriaFotos/DSC_0221.JPG

Nice, but prime example of "development without development". The underlying economy still is a 3rd world commodity-led developing economy. That means if the oil was to dissapear- the economy would go back to square one in an instance. When I see farms and factories.....
Good observation!EG is surrounded by sea and I want to see EG building fish processing factories instead of huge conference centres.I think mr Obiang Nguema is creating a welfare state where people seat down all day long waiting for government handouts.:ohno:

Good observation!EG is surrounded by sea and I want to see EG building fish processing factories instead of huge conference centres.I think mr Obiang Nguema is creating a welfare state where people seat down all day long waiting for government handouts.:ohno:

This is Gabon in the making. No productive industries.

...also are very strict themselves when it comes to illegal immigration, so EQ do not have about the burden of excessive illegal immigration as much once the economy starts to boom. !

That´s true, EQG is very strict when it comes to illegal immigrants. It hunts them down like cattle, they are particularly aggressive against Cameroonian because Cameroonian people “know how to work” (small business etc.). The population and leadership are extremely xenophobic..even much more than in Gabon.


EQG is good but when it comes to regional leadership it still lags behind Gabon which enjoys a lot more diplomatic influence. All international and regional and multinational offices are located in Gabon and when European forces choose a country in Central Africa, they always choose Gabon (for example observation of election process in DRC, Gabon and not EQG was chosen) Expats speak highly of Gabon but they don´t speak that highly of EQG....Personally, I would choose LBV/Gabon a thousand times over Malabo, even Malabo II /EQG.

I'm amazed by the moderness/cleaness of this city. usually you can't even find two blocks of clean area with planned side walks and cleans streets in Africa (save for South Africa)

I'm amazed by the moderness/cleaness of this city. usually you can't even find two blocks of clean area with planned side walks and cleans streets in Africa (save for South Africa)

Really?

EQG is good but when it comes to regional leadership it still lags behind Gabon which enjoys a lot more diplomatic influence. All international and regional and multinational offices are located in Gabon and when European forces choose a country in Central Africa, they always choose Gabon (for example observation of election process in DRC, Gabon and not EQG was chosen) Expats speak highly of Gabon but they don´t speak that highly of EQG....Personally, I would choose LBV/Gabon a thousand times over Malabo, even Malabo II /EQG.


That's because Gabon is a protectorat of France in africa.....

Projet Centré aéré multifonctionel de Bata ( Guinée Equatoriale)

http://kanazan.bloxode.com/images/126132432425.jpeg


Is this under construction already?

I'm amazed by the moderness/cleaness of this city. usually you can't even find two blocks of clean area with planned side walks and cleans streets in Africa (save for South Africa)

How far into Africa have you travelled. It will surprise you. All you see in the press is dirt which exist everywhere. :ohno::ohno:

Nice, but prime example of "development without development". The underlying economy still is a 3rd world commodity-led developing economy. That means if the oil was to dissapear- the economy would go back to square one in an instance. When I see farms and factories.....

:yes::yes:

300 rooms hotel in Bata

http://www.mourabet.com/images/projects/commercial/hotels/room.JPG

^^ Is it proposed? approved? under construction or just a random vision?

I understand that but Qatar still has 3 times the population of Eq. Guinea and Quatar is historically more educated than Eq. Guinea, so you didn't have to worry about having an "educated personnel" or finding an educated workforce AS MUCH as you would in Qatar.

(btw: A lot of that development in the Qatar picture if for untemporary residents (hotels for tourists, etc)

If i was EQG government, i would take all that oil money and try to make the country a financial center and tourism place much like Dubai. Then give work permits to lots of the african bankers who are in US and UK and try to pump the oil money into investments throughout the continent.

Wow, E.G. is a very nice country, never knew there would be a spanish talking country in Africa.

at Medico La Paz hospital in Bata

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVNZWrLBkI/AAAAAAAABd4/BwHPlHyTxwQ/s800/CIMG0280.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVNW8Tk7pI/AAAAAAAABd0/xQS0zjAqBVo/s800/DSC00082.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVNKyud_AI/AAAAAAAABdg/4UiazUHl-ro/s800/CIMG2674.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVNMhu6ggI/AAAAAAAABdk/gu8xnGBPzdw/s800/CIMG2680.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVNR3ZbX0I/AAAAAAAABds/-x5Kvoa6k64/s800/CIMG0081.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVNVPt0MlI/AAAAAAAABdw/VT4x1_ODVgA/s800/CIMG0233.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVNO1K7xjI/AAAAAAAABdo/jkoRUn-TFnQ/s800/CIMG0063.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVOpcJnAKI/AAAAAAAABfs/1NpbM6W3qfg/s800/CIMG3001.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVNow59h3I/AAAAAAAABeM/1XDJ7Kd0Oh0/s800/CIMG2788.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVNtI25HdI/AAAAAAAABeU/g80qr5lgk9E/s800/CIMG2874.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/SxFfb9lXwII/AAAAAAAAC2s/yFTOjikg4mI/LA%2520Paz%2520Abdallah%2520Silvana-2-1.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVOHYYALuI/AAAAAAAABe8/ZL71UHhT77g/s800/DSC00112.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/ScVOxzx6sgI/AAAAAAAABf4/7As_29DITo8/s800/DSC00126.jpg

more on Bata

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/SxI6MwoJOmI/AAAAAAAAC5g/kQZyopB53qY/P1090622-2-1.jpg

interesting art work

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_Q9q2-Q2szvs/SxI6O3YldMI/AAAAAAAAC5k/xgMaWq7zvNU/Bata%2520Bonita-2-1.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_P2ssqN3spuY/Sp5X-JIqqiI/AAAAAAAAAEw/77-5FHohJI0/s800/Guinea%20011.JPG

Bata - cruising this beautiful and well-kept city...you can also listen to rap and dance floor music from EG by watching the video...you won´t see any sign of poverty in terms of hawkers blocking the pavements or beggars in the streets..:cheers:

DUG92nh9arM

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4687533461_9085a72083_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4688166500_67defba4fa_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1394/1479156814_15b9db64d3_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1203/1478312803_4ba0f20e90_o.jpg

I live in a continental city, so I love to look at pictures from coast cities ! So beautiful !

http://s02.flagcounter.com/count/3Djs/bg=FFFFFF/txt=000000/border=CCCCCC/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=1/pageviews=1/ http://2.s03.flagcounter.com/count/0NBu/bg=FFFFFF/txt=000000/border=CCCCCC/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=1/ http://2.s05.flagcounter.com/count/MECnk/bg=FFFFFF/txt=000000/border=CCCCCC/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=0/ http://2.s02.flagcounter.com/count/3Djs/bg=FFFFFF/txt=000000/border=CCCCCC/columns=1/maxflags=1/viewers=3/labels=1/pageviews=0/

BATA AIRPORT

Presidential Terminal Building
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/tadpolefarm/Bata%20Stadium/3ca7bd4d.jpg


Public Terminal Building - this is where the visitors for 2012 Afcon will arrive - Bata will host the opening game and Semi-final.
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/tadpolefarm/Bata%20Stadium/3aa32937.jpg
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/tadpolefarm/Bata%20Stadium/f178b786.jpg

Aerial view - Public terminal is 2nd from the left after the control tower and adjacent to the parking lot. - Presidential terminal has circular central glazed feature and fancy landscaping, and is larger than public facility
This is a sad illustration of this country's unequal spending of oil revenue.
http://i443.photobucket.com/albums/qq159/tadpolefarm/Bata%20Stadium/ab6ce82e.jpg

Dead Thread :) But very nice city!!

EG had better change to a ''better'' language....

EG had better change to a ''better'' language....

I kinda have to agree with you, no one else in Africa speaks Spanish...

I kinda have to agree with you, no one else in Africa speaks Spanish...

In north Morocco they spreak Spanish

yeah but North Morocco is just south of Spain, and it was colonized by Spain back in the day, and Morocco separates itself from the rest of Africa in many ways, (its the only country who chose not to be a member of the African Union) Its not like Spanish is a bad language it just isnt helpful being the only country in Africa where Spanish is the official language most African countries speak either English, French, Portuguese, or Swahili as the language of communication,

nice