Brief History

The area that is now called Equatorial Guinea was first inhabited by pygmies and other local tribes. The Fang and Bubi people migrated to the area during the 17th century. During the European colonization period, Spain took over land that included the area of Equatorial Guinea. Britain gained control of the main island, Fernando Po, from 1827 to 1844, after which it was reclaimed by Spain. The mainland, called Ro Muni, was not occupied by the Spanish until 1926. Spanish Guinea, which it was called at the time, gained total independence from Spain in 1968.

National Flag

The national flag of Equatorial Guinea is a tricolor of green, white, and red, with a blue triangle at the hoist. The national coat of arms is in the center of the flag and features a silk cotton tree. The flag of Equatorial Guinea was adopted in 1968 when the country gained independence from Spain.

Geography

Geography

Equatorial Guinea is located on the west coast of Africa. It is comprised of two parts, the mainland, and five inhabited islands. The mainland province has a narrow coastal plain with mangrove swamps, and the inland is quite forested with some mountains.

 

World Land Mass Ranking: 145th

 

Highest Mountain: Pico Basilé, 3,011  m (9,878 ft)

 

Longest River:  Benito River, 338 km (210 mi)

Main Languages

Spanish, French, Portuguese

Equatorial Guinea Population: 1.5 million (as of 2021)

Capital City: Malabo

Capital City Population: 179,000 (as of 2021)

Climate

Equatorial Guinea has a tropical climate, and is hot and humid year-round. Equatorial Guinea has distinct wet and dry seasons and receives an average annual rainfall of 95 inches

Key People

Eric Moussambani

Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

Juan Tomás Ávila Laure

Atanasio Ndongo Miyone

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  Cuisine

  The cuisine of Equatorial Guinea is a mix of influences from native African tribes and Spain. Staple Equatoguinean foods include rice, fish, and a variety of other meats. Due to the country’s tropical climate, many fresh foods are available, such as sweet potatoes, bananas, groundnuts, and cassava. The national dish of Equatorial Guinea is succotash, which is a mixture of corn, lima beans, and tomatoes.

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  Sports

  Football (soccer) was first introduced to Equatorial Guinea by Spanish colonists and is now the most popular sport in the country. Another sport that is gaining popularity in Equatorial Guinea is basketball. Equatorial Guinea first participated in the Summer Olympics in 1984 and has participated in the Summer Olympic Games since then, but has yet to participate in the Winter Olympics.

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  Culture

  Equatorial Guinea is home to over 24 different ethnic groups, the main five being the Fang, Bubi, Bujeba, Mdowe, and Annobon. The modern-day culture of Equatorial Guinea is strongly influenced by ancient customs and traditions, as well as Spanish culture. Music and dance are important parts of Equatoguinean culture, and traditional music is usually call-and-response style. Other key elements of Equatoguinean culture include myths and legends, handicrafts, and religion.