Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a country located in west-central Africa. It consists of two main parts: a mainland region called Río Muni, and islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the largest of which is Bioko.

The capital is Malabo, situated on the island of Bioko, while Bata is the largest city in the mainland region. The country has a small population compared to its neighbours. Spanish is one of the official languages, a legacy of Spanish colonial rule; French and Portuguese are also official languages.

Geography

Río Muni borders Cameroon to the north and Gabon to the east and south, with the Atlantic Ocean to the west. The island of Bioko lies to the northwest, near the coast of Cameroon. The island of Annobón lies to the south. The country has a hot, humid equatorial climate with heavy rainfall and mountains of volcanic origin on the islands.

History

The region was initially visited by Portuguese explorers, then came under Spanish control, where it was established as a colony called Spanish Guinea. The country gained independence from Spain in 1968. Since independence, the country's history is marked by authoritarian rule.

Economy

The country's economy is heavily dependent on oil and natural gas extracted from offshore fields. Oil production has significantly increased state revenues; however, many reports indicate that this revenue is not evenly distributed. There is also agriculture, including cocoa and coffee, and fishing.