Discovering the World
Equatorial Guinea 🇬🇶
Basic facts
Official name: République de Guinée équatoriale/Républica da Guiné Equatorial/República de Guinea Ecuatorial (Republic of Equatorial Guinea) (French/English/Portuguese)
Capital city: Malabo
Population: 1.7 million (2023)
Demonym: Equatoguinean
Type of government: unitary presidential republic
Head of state and government: Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo (President)
Gross domestic product (purchasing power parity): $28.35 billion (2023)
Gini coefficient of wealth inequality: 58.8% (high) (2022)
Human Development Index: 0.650 (medium) (2022)
Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Fun fact: It is one of the few countries whose capital city is not on the mainland.
Etymology
The country’s name comes from its geographic location near the Equator and in the African region of Guinea.
Geography
Equatorial Guinea is located in Central Africa and borders Cameroon to the north, Gabon to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
There are four main climates: tropical rainforest in the northernmost part, dry-winter tropical savanna in the southeast, subtropical highland in the center of Bioko Island, and tropical monsoon in the rest. Temperatures range from 20 °C (68 °F) in winter to 31 °C (87.8 °F) in summer. The average annual temperature is 24.2 °C (75.5 °F).
The country is divided into eight provinces (provinces/províncias/provincias). The largest cities in Equatorial Guinea are Bata, Malabo, Ebebiyín, Aconibe, and Añisoc.
History
1472-1778: Portuguese rule
1640-1902: Aro Confederacy
1778-1968: Spanish Guinea
1968-present: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
Economy
Equatorial Guinea mainly imports from Spain, China, and the United States and exports to France, China, and the United States. Its top exports are crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas, and acyclic alcohols.
It has abundant mineral, natural gas, and oil reserves. Industry represents 87.3% of the GDP, followed by services (8.1%) and agriculture (4.6%).
Equatorial Guinea is a member of the African Union, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa, la Francophonie, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries.
Demographics
The Fang are the largest ethnic group (85.7%), followed by the Bubi (6.5%), Ndowe (3.6%), and Annobon (1.6%). The main religion is Christianity, practiced by 88.7% of the population, 83.7% of which is Catholic.
It has a positive net migration rate and a fertility rate of 4.2 children per woman. 74% of the population lives in urban areas. Life expectancy is 63.7 years and the median age is 20.3 years. The literacy rate is 95.3%.
Languages
The official languages of the country are French, Portuguese, and Spanish. The latter is spoken by 88% of the population, while French is not widely spoken. Indigenous languages include Benga, Bube, Fang, and Ndowe.
Culture
Storytelling, traditional music, and witchcraft vertebrate Equatoguinean culture, which has African and Spanish influences.
Men traditionally wear a loose robe or a long shirt and loose pants. Women wear a loose top and a long skirt or a long dress with colorful patterns and a head wrap.
Architecture
Traditional houses in Equatorial Guinea are made of wood and have tin roofs and blue doors and windows.
Cuisine
The Equatoguinean diet is based on fish, meat, rice, sweet potatoes, and vegetables. Typical dishes include akwadu (baked bananas with coconut), bambucha (a stew of cassava leaves with banana or cassava), konkoe ture gbeli (smoked catfish in a spicy sauce with rice), sopa de pescado con cacahuete (a peanut soup with fish, onions, and tomato), and succotash (a dish of green beans, corn, mushrooms, onions, and tomatoes).
Holidays and festivals
Like other Christian countries, Equatorial Guinea celebrates Good Friday, Corpus Christi, Immaculate Conception, and Christmas Day. It also commemorates New Year’s Day and Labor Day.
Specific Equatoguinean holidays include President’s Day on June 5, Freedom Day on August 3, Constitution Day on August 15, and Independence Day on October 12.
Independence Day
Other celebrations include the Bodypainting Festival, the Malabo Hip Hop Festival, and the Music Day Festival, which features ballet and traditional dances.
Bodypainting Festival
Landmarks
There is one UNESCO World Heritage Site: Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve.
Other landmarks include the Bantabaré Caves, the Batete Church, the Luba Crater, the Mongomo Basilica, and St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral.
St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral
Famous people
Benjamín Enzema - athlete
Bibiana Olama - athlete
Chupe - soccer player
Emilio Buale - actor
Genoveva Añonma Nze - soccer player
Jan Tomás Ávila Laurel - activist and writer
Joëlle Rivero - actress
Laetitia Ntsame Assoumou - musician
Leandro Mbomio Nsue - sculptor
María Nsué Angüe - writer
Leandro Mbomio Nsue
You can find out more about life in Equatorial Guinea in this article and this video.
