Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
CIA - The World Factbook The World Factbook Home
CIA - The World Factbook
Africa :: Equatorial Guinea
page last updated on May 10, 2010
Flag of Equatorial Guinea
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Equatorial Guinea
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Equatorial Guinea
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
No Photos available for Equatorial Guinea
 
no photos available of Equatorial Guinea
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Equatorial Guinea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996, 2002, and 2009 presidential elections - as well as the 1999 and 2004 legislative elections - were widely seen as flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has discouraged political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves, and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years, there have been few improvements in the population's living standards.
Back to Top
Geography ::Equatorial Guinea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2 00 N, 10 00 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 28,051 sq km
country comparison to the world: 145
land: 28,051 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly smaller than Maryland
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 539 km
border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
296 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Current Weather
tropical; always hot, humid
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 4.63%
permanent crops: 3.57%
other: 91.8% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
26 cu km (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 0.11 cu km/yr (83%/16%/1%)
per capita: 220 cu m/yr (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
violent windstorms; flash floods
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tap water is not potable; deforestation
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
insular and continental regions widely separated
Back to Top
People ::Equatorial Guinea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
650,702 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 41.7% (male 137,913/female 133,326)
15-64 years: 54.2% (male 173,378/female 179,203)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 11,735/female 15,147) (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 19 years
male: 18.4 years
female: 19.6 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.674% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
36 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9.26 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 39% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.8% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.78 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 79.47 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 15
male: 80.55 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 78.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 61.98 years
country comparison to the world: 179
male: 61.05 years
female: 62.94 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.4% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 20
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
11,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
370 (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria and yellow fever
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) (1994 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 87%
male: 93.4%
female: 80.5% (2000 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 9 years (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.6% of GDP (2003)
country comparison to the world: 181
Back to Top
Government ::Equatorial Guinea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea
local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee equatoriale
local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee equatoriale
former: Spanish Guinea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Malabo
geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12 October 1968 (from Spain)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
approved by national referendum 17 November 1991; amended January 1995
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
partly based on Spanish civil law and tribal custom; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup)
head of government: Prime Minister Ignacio Milan TANG (since 8 July 2008);
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (no term limits); election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president
election results: Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO 95.8%, Placido Mico ABOGO 3.6%; elections marred by widespread fraud
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 4 May 2008 (next to be held in 2012)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 89, EC 10, CPDS 1
note: Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all executive authority in the president
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Tribunal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MICO Abogo]; Democratic Party for Equatorial Guinea or PDGE [Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO] (ruling party); Electoral Coalition or EC; Party for Progress of Equatorial Guinea or PPGE [Severo MOTO]; Popular Action of Equatorial Guinea or APGE [Avelino MOCACHE]; Popular Union or UP
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ASODEGUE (Madrid-based pressure group for democratic reform); Global Witness (anti-corruption)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP (associate), FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Purificacion ANGUE ONDO
chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700
FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Alberto M. FERNANDEZ
embassy: K-3, Carreterade Aeropuerto, al lado de Restaurante El Paraiso, Malabo; note - relocated embassy is opened for limited functions; inquiries should continue to be directed to the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cameroon
mailing address: B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon; US Embassy Yaounde, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520
telephone: [237] 2220-1500
FAX: [237] 2220-1572
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice); green symbolizes the jungle and natural resources, blue represents the sea that connects the mainland to the islands, white stands for peace, and red recalls the fight for independence
Back to Top
Economy ::Equatorial Guinea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
The discovery and exploitation of large oil reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth in recent years. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP. Subsistence farming predominates. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth (the government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture). A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993 because of corruption and mismanagement. No longer eligible for concessional financing because of large oil revenues, the government has been trying to agree on a "shadow" fiscal management program with the World Bank and IMF. Government officials and their family members own most businesses. Undeveloped natural resources include titanium, iron ore, manganese, uranium, and alluvial gold. Growth remained strong in 2008, led by oil, but dropped in 2009, as the price of oil fell.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$23.2 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
$23.63 billion (2008 est.)
$21.04 billion (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$11.31 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-1.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
12.3% (2008 est.)
22.5% (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$36,600 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
$38,300 (2008 est.)
$35,100 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 2.4%
industry: 93.3%
services: 4.2% (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
195,200 NA
country comparison to the world: 171
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
30% (1998 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
44% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $4.481 billion
expenditures: $3.551 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.1% of GDP (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
0.9% of GDP (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
7.5% (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 81
5.25% (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 48
15% (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA (31 December 2008)
$835.2 million (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA (31 December 2008)
$174.5 million (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (tapioca), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
petroleum, fishing, sawmilling, natural gas
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-2.7% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
28 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
26.04 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
359,200 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 202
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
362,900 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1,114 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.67 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.5 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5.17 billion cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$669 million (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
$1.42 billion (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$8.27 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 88
$13.03 billion (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
petroleum, methanol, timber, cocoa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
US 22.8%, Spain 18.3%, China 14.8%, Taiwan 10.8%, France 8%, Italy 6%, South Korea 5.4% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.851 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
$3.114 billion (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
petroleum sector equipment, other equipment
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
China 18.2%, Spain 13.7%, US 12.1%, France 11.2%, Cote dIvoire 7.8%, Italy 5.7%, UK 5.3% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$4.575 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$4.431 billion (31 December 2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$174 million (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
$190 million (31 December 2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 481.35 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 481.83 (2007), 522.4 (2006), 527.47 (2005)
note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par
Back to Top
Communications ::Equatorial Guinea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 204
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
346,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 165
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: digital fixed-line network in most major urban areas and good mobile coverage
domestic: fixed-line density is about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing and in 2008 stood at about 55 percent of the population
international: country code - 240; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
AM 0, FM 3, shortwave 5 (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.gq
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
9 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 221
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 198
Back to Top
Transportation ::Equatorial Guinea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 166
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 6
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
gas 38 km (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 2,880 km (2000)
country comparison to the world: 167
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 1
country comparison to the world: 158
by type: cargo 1 (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Bata, Malabo
Back to Top
Military ::Equatorial Guinea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age for selective compulsory military service; service obligation 2 years; women hold only administrative positions in the Coast Guard (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 146,241
females age 16-49: 146,138 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 109,311
females age 16-49: 111,543 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 7,186
female: 6,920 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 173
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Equatorial Guinea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delay final delimitation; UN urges Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
current situation: Equatorial Guinea is primarily a destination country for children trafficked for the purpose of forced labor and possibly for the purpose of sexual exploitation; children have been trafficked from nearby countries for domestic servitude, market labor, ambulant vending, and possibly sexual exploitation; women may also be trafficked to Equatorial Guinea from Cameroon, Benin, other neighboring countries, and China for sexual exploitation
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Equatorial Guinea is on the Tier 2 Watch List for its failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking, particularly in the areas of prosecuting and convicting trafficking offenders and failing to formalize mechanisms to provide assistance to victims; although the government made some effort to enforce laws against child labor exploitation, it failed to report any trafficking prosecutions or convictions in 2007; the government continued to lack shelters or formal procedures for providing care to victims (2008)
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
The online Factbook is updated bi-weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.