Dialing code +240
ISO 2 code GQ
ISO 3 code GNQ
Capital Malabo
Main Language Spanish
Currency Franc (XAF)
GDP $19.4 billion 121st
Population 1,014,999 158th

Geography

Continent Africa
Location Western Africa bordering the Bight of Biafra between Cameroon and Gabon
Land 28,051 km2 146th
Terrain Coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Climate Tropical; always hot humid
Natural Hazards Coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Note: Insular and continental regions widely separated

Neighbouring Countries

Cameroon Gabon

History

Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands is one of the smallest on the African continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991 the 1996 and 2002 presidential elections - as well as the 1999 and 2004 legislative elections - were widely seen as flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has discouraged political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years there have been few improvements in the population's living standards.
Read more on Wikipedia

Demographics

Life Expectancy 61.61 years 163rd
Median Age 18.9 years 170th
Birth Rate 36.52 births/1,000 population 29th
Death Rate 9.49 births/1,000 population 70th
Sex Ratio 0.79 male(s)/female 90th
Literacy 87.0% 128th
Population

1.0 million

Transportation

Roadways 2880 km 165th
Railways None km
Airports 6 166th
Waterways None km
Heliports None
Airports paved 1 90th

Economy

Currency Franc (XAF)
GDP $19.4 billion 121st
GDP per capita (PPP) $31400 35th