Geography of Equatorial Guinea

Geography of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea
*República de Guinea Ecuatorial* (Spanish)
*République de Guinée équatoriale* (French)
*República da Guiné Equatorial* (Portuguese)
	; ;
Continent	Africa
Coordinates	2°00′N 10°00′E / 2.000°N 10.000°E
Area	Ranked 141st
• Total	28,051 km2 (10,831 sq mi)
Coastline	296 km (184 mi)
Borders	539 km
Highest point	Pico Basile, 3,008 m
Lowest point	Atlantic Ocean, 0 m
Longest river	Benito River
Climate	Tropical
Natural resources	petroleum, timber, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium
Environmental issues	drinking water, desertification
Exclusive economic zone	303,509 km2 (117,185 sq mi)

The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is located in west central Africa. Bioko Island lies about 40 kilometers (24.9 mi) from Cameroon. Annobón Island lies about 595 kilometres (370 mi) southwest of Bioko Island. The larger continental region of Río Muni lies between Cameroon and Gabon on the mainland; it includes the islands of Corisco, Elobey Grande, Elobey Chico, and adjacent islets. The total land area is 28,051 km² (10,831 sq mi). It has an Exclusive Economic Zone of 303,509 km² (117,185 sq mi).

Bioko Island, called Fernando Po until the 1970s, is the largest island in the Gulf of Guinea — 2,017 square kilometers (779 sq mi). It is shaped like a boot, with two large volcanic formations separated by a valley that bisects the island at its narrowest point. The 195-kilometer (121 mi) coastline is steep and rugged in the south but lower and more accessible in the north, with excellent harbors at Malabo and Luba, and several scenic beaches between those towns.

On the continent, Río Muni covers 26,003 square kilometers (10,040 sq mi). The coastal plain gives way to a succession of valleys separated by low hills and spurs of the Crystal Mountains. The Rio Benito (Mbini) which divides Río Muni in half, is unnavigable except for a 20-kilometer stretch at its estuary. Temperatures and humidity in Río Muni are generally lower than on Bioko Island.

Annobon Island, named for its discovery on New Year's Day 1472, is a small volcanic island covering 18 square kilometers (6.9 sq mi). The coastline is abrupt except in the north; the principal volcanic cone contains a small lake. Most of the estimated 1,900 inhabitants are fisherman specializing in traditional, smallscale tuna fishing and whaling. The climate is tropical—heavy rainfall, high humidity, and frequent seasonal changes with violent windstorms.

Location: Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon.