equatorial guinea map and information page

Description

The island now called Bioko was first discovered by the Portuguese in the late 15th century.

Named for the explorer Fernando Póo, it was ceded to the Spanish in 1778. Then in 1827, the British founded Malabo and maintained a naval station there in an effort to squelch the slave trade along the African coast.

The Spanish arrived in 1858, and began the colonization of Bioko, and the mainland territory. It was then called Spanish Guinea, until the 5 islands (two quite small), and the African mainland territory of Rio Muni, became Equatorial Guinea in 1968, after gaining independence from Spain.

Long dependent on cocoa production for cash flow, as well as farming, fishing and forestry products, the somewhat recent discovery and subsequent selling of large oil reserves has certainly improved the local economy, at least for government officials, families and friends.

Those internal governmental relationships (according to some experts), were the major catalyst for the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) to cancel their long term and much-needed financial aid agreements to this very poor country.

Nevertheless, intreprid travelers agree that the black sand (volcanic in origin) beaches near Bata, the stunning mountain scenery on Bioko, and the attractive capital city of Malabo all present potential tourism opportunities, thus additional revenue.

Regardless, the future in Equatorial Guinea is uncertain, as much of the infrastructure (especially on the mainland) needs attention, health care must improve, and like many African countries, its literacy level is extremely low.

Read more about Equatorial Guinea here!

Facts and Figures

Official Name Republic of Equatorial Guinea

Population 486,900

Capital City Malabo (101,000)

Largest Cities Malabo, Bata, Ebebiyin

Currency Africaine Franc

Currency Converter here

Latitude/Longitude 3º45 N, 8º48 E

Languages Spanish (official), French (official)

Flag here

National Day 12 October; Independence Day

Religions Roman Catholic, pagan practices

Land

Land Area 28,050 sq km (10,830 sq miles)

Landforms The mainland of Equatorial Guinea begins on a narrow coastal plain, edged by mangrove swamps. From there, the land rises into a elevated plateau of thickly forested hills to its border with Gabon, reaching (in a few places) up to 4,000 ft. above sea level.

The major river, the Uola, snakes its way across the center of the country.

The offshore island of Bioko, volcanic in origin and very fertile, is dominated by three extinct volcanoes.

Highest Point Pico Basile (3,008 m) (8,868 ft)

Lowest Point Atlantic Ocean, sea level

Land Divisions 7 provinces; including Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral and Wele-Nzas

All maps, graphics and original descriptions created by Graphic Maps, a d/b/a of the Woolwine-Moen Group, unless otherwise noted and/or directly linked to the source, and use of same for any application whatsoever (with the exception of outline maps) requires written permission.

We make no copyright claim on any statistical data on this page, nor on any non-original graphics, and/or pictures not produced by us. Certain statistical data is gathered from the CIA World Factbook, as well as numerous public domain reference materials.

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Maps

LARGE (color) map here

Equatorial Guinea Outline Map here

Equatorial Guinea CIA version here

Equatorial Guinea Maps at UT here

African Continent (printable) here

African Continent here

Africa Landforms Map here

African Outline Map here

Suggested Links

Equatorial Guinea (Complete) information on the (GDP) overall economy, imports and exports, resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here

Equatorial Guinea Photos here

Malabo.com here

Equatorial Guinea Travel Info and Warnings here

Climate Equatorial Guinea, just a few degrees north of the Equator, has a consistent tropical climate, one that's hot and humid throughout the year. The mean high temperature approaches 80º.

The rainy season runs from April to October, and 10 inches per month are commonplace.