Equatorial Guinea consists of a continental territory and five inhabited islands; it is one of the smallest countries by area and population in Africa. The mainland region was most likely predominantly inhabited by Pygmy ethnic groups prior to the migration of various Bantu-speaking ethnic groups around the second millennium BC. The island of Bioko, the largest of Equatorial Guinea’s five inhabited islands and the location of the country’s capital of Malabo, has been occupied since at least 1000 B.C.
- Capital
- Malabo; note - Malabo is on the island of Bioko; some months of the year, the government operates out of Bata on the mainland region.
- Government
- presidential republic
- Population
- 1,795,834
- Area
- 28,051 sq km
- Location
- Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
- Climate
- tropical; always hot, humid
- Natural resources
- petroleum; natural gas; timber; gold; bauxite; diamonds…
- Languages
- Spanish (official) 67.6%; other (includes Fang; Bubi; Portuguese (official)…
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 88%; Protestant 5%; Muslim 2%; other 5% (animist…
- Independence
- 12 October 1968 (from Spain)
- Administrative divisions
- 8 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Djibloho, Kie-Ntem, Litoral…
- Currency
- Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF)
- Export partners
- China 27%; Netherlands 12%; Spain 10%; Italy 7%…
- Import partners
- China 20%; Spain 17%; USA 10%; Gabon 5%…