About Equatorial Guinea

by Contributing Writer

Overview

About Equatorial Guinea

There are a number of small countries in Africa, with Equatorial Guinea one of the smallest. It's not exactly a major tourist destination, and like a few other nations in the region, it has seen its share of poverty and political problems. Although under European rule since the late 1400s, it has been independent since 1968, and the recent discovery of oil may prove to be a boon to the tiny nation.
Location

Equatorial Guinea is located on the western coast of central Africa. The mainland borders on Cameroon to the north and Gabon to the south and east. The island of Bioko is off the coast of Cameroon, while other islands lie further offshore.

Geography and Climate

Despite its name, it does not lie on the equator. However, Equatorial Guinea does have a tropical climate. The coastal plains give way to inland hills, with the islands being volcanic in nature. There have been issues in recent years with deforestation.
People

The country's population is around 630,000 people, making it one of the least populated nations in the world. According to the 1994 census, there were five main ethnic groups, the Bantu and the Fang being the largest. Spanish and French are the official languages.
Resources

Though small, the nation has recently discovered oil reserves that make it the third largest oil producer in that region of Africa. Agriculture is mostly on a subsistence basis because of poor conditions in rural areas.
Politics

After seizing power in a coup, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has ruled the country since 1979. Although there have been elections since, and despite being a constitutional democracy, the president wields complete control.