26 Facts About Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea is a country in Central Africa made up of the Rio Muni mainland and five volcanic offshore islands.

Malabo, the capital on Bioko Island, has Spanish colonial architecture and serves as a hub for the country's thriving oil industry.

Its Arena Blanca beach attracts butterflies during the dry season.

Gorillas, chimps, and elephants live in the tropical forest of the mainland's Monte Alen National Park.

Equatorial Guinea is divided into two regions: an insular region and a mainland region. Insular Equatorial Guinea consists of five islands located in the easternmost part of the Gulf of Guinea and is also known as Río Muni.

Equatorial Guinea is the 141st-largest country in the world, with a total area of 28,050 km2 (10,830 sq mi).

Equatorial Guinea is bounded to the north by Cameroon (183 km/114 mi) and to the south and east by Gabon (345 km/214 mi).

Some of the most beautiful and deserted stretches of sand on the African continent can be found along much of Equatorial Guinea's 296 km (184 mi) long coastline.

Pico Basilé, located on the island of Bioko, is Equatorial Guinea's highest peak, rising to an elevation of 3,011 metres (9,879 ft). It is an active stratovolcano, with the most recent eruption occurring in 1923.

Equatorial Guinea's correct demonym is "Equatoguinean."

Equatorial Guinea gets its name from the Guinea region of West Africa, which stretches from the Gulf of Guinea to the Sahel. Despite its name, none of Equatorial Guinea is located on the equator. The term "equatorial" refers to the country's location just north of the Equator.

The Portuguese were the first Europeans known to have set foot in the country. The island of Bioko was discovered in 1471 by the Portuguese navigator Fernão do Pó, who was looking for a route to India.

On October 12, 1968, Equatorial Guinea gained complete independence from Spain.

For over 150 years, Equatorial Guinea was administered by Spain. It is primarily spoken as a second language and serves as a common language among the country's various ethnic groups.

In addition to Spanish, the official languages of Equatorial Guinea are French and Portuguese.

Over 85% of Equatorial Guinea's population is Christian, with Catholics constituting the vast majority.

Since the discovery of oil in Equatorial Guinea in the mid-1990s, the country's oil production has increased to the point where it is now the third-largest oil exporter in Sub-Saharan Africa, trailing only Nigeria and Angola. 

The world's largest frog lives in Equatorial Guinea. The appropriately named Goliath Frog can grow to be 34 cm (13 in) long. It can weigh up to 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs) and is famous for creating its own ponds out of heavy rocks.

Equatorial Guinea's currency is the Central African franc (CFA), which is pegged to both the West African franc and the Euro.

Equatorial Guinea has never observed daylight saving time.

More than 95% of Equatorial Guinea's adult population can read and write, according to the CIA World Factbook.

Equatorial Guinea is one of the world's least free countries.

Football is Equatorial Guinea's most popular sport.

Despite competing in the Summer Olympics since 1984, Equatorial Guinea has yet to win a medal. The country has never competed in the Winter Olympics.

The silk-cotton tree (also known as the "God Tree") commemorates the location of the first treaty signed by local rulers and Portuguese. It's even on the national coat of arms.

Bata is the economic and logistical centre of the nation's Rio Muni mainland region. It is home to nearly one-fourth of the population of the country.