Equatorial Guinea

I

Introduction

Equatorial Guinea, independent republic in western Africa, consisting of a mainland section called Mbini (formerly Río Muni) on the western coast and the coastal islets of Corisco, Elobey Grande, and Elobey Chico as well as the islands of Bioko (formerly Macías Nguema Biyogo and previously Fernando Póo), and Annobón (Pagalu) in the Gulf of Guinea. The total area of Equatorial Guinea is 28,051 sq km (10,831 sq mi).

II

Land and Resources

Mainland Equatorial Guinea is bounded on the north by Cameroon, on the east and south by Gabon, and on the west by the Gulf of Guinea. The terrain is gently rolling and heavily forested; about 60 percent of the area is drained by the Mbini (formerly Benito) River. With Corisco and the Elobeys islands it comprises the Mbini, or Continental, region, an area of 26,017 sq km (10,045 sq mi).

The main island of Equatorial Guinea is Bioko (2,020 sq km/779 sq mi), which is located off the western coast of Africa in the Bight of Biafra (Bonny). The island, primarily of volcanic origin, is mountainous and thickly wooded, with a steep, rocky coast. Its highest peak is Pico de Santa Isabel (3,008 m/9,869 ft). The island has fertile volcanic soils and is watered by several streams, and lakes are found in the mountains. Together with the small island of Annobón, lying about 640 km (about 400 mi) to the southwest, it comprises the Bioko, or Insular, region. The climate is tropical; the average annual temperature in Malabo is about 25°C (about 77°F) and the annual rainfall is more than 2,000 mm (more than 80 in). The wettest season is December through February.

About 63.5 percent (1995) of Equatorial Guinea’s land area is covered with forest and woodland. Deforestation has occurred, however, as agricultural production has increased. Water from taps cannot be drunk.

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III

Population

The population of Equatorial Guinea (2009 estimate) is 633,441, with many thousands more believed to be living abroad due to political conditions in the country. The overall population density is 23 persons per sq km (59 per sq mi). The population is composed almost entirely of black Africans. The Fang, indigenous to the mainland but now also living on Bioko Island, constitute more than 80 percent of the population. The Bubis, indigenous to Bioko Island, make up about 15 percent of the population. Several smaller ethnic groups live along the mainland coast. Spanish is the official language; however, Fang, a Bantu language, is the most widely spoken. About 86 percent of the people are members of the Roman Catholic Church, although traditional beliefs are also widely practiced. The capital, largest city, and principal port of Equatorial Guinea is Malabo, formerly Santa Isabel (population, 2003 estimate, 95,000), on the northern coast of Bioko; Bata (1983, 24,100) is the largest town on the mainland.

IV

Economy

For years a poor, agricultural nation, Equatorial Guinea has grown more prosperous since the discovery of large offshore oil deposits in the early 1990s. From 1990 to 1990 the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), which measures the total value of goods and services produced, grew by an average of 3 percent every year. Equatorial Guinea’s oil wells produced 75.4 million barrels of crude petroleum in 2004. However, agriculture remains the main source of livelihood for most people.

The principal export crop of Equatorial Guinea is cacao, which is grown almost entirely on Bioko. Coffee is grown on the mainland, which also produces tropical hardwood timber, a leading export. Cassava and sweet potatoes are the staple foods. Local manufacturing industries include the processing of oil, soap, cocoa, yucca, coffee, and seafood. The currency is the CFA franc (479 CFA francs equal U.S.$1; 2007 average). An exchange rate of 50 CFA francs equal to 1 French franc was enforced from 1948 until 1994, when the CFA franc was devalued by 50 percent.

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