One of the smallest countries in Africa consists of a mainland Río Muni and several islands. The main island Bioko, in the Gulf of Guinea in the western part of Africa, was discovered by Portuguese in the 15th century. Spain took control of it in 1778. Equatorial Guinea is a developing country, bordered by Cameroon on the north, Gulf of Guinea on the west and Gabon on the east and south. The capital of Equatorial Guinea is Malabo located on the island Bioko. It was originally inhabited by the Pygmies.

The climate is wet equatorial and unstable, characteristic by violent thunderstorms and rains. Equatorial Guinea belongs to the tops of the diversity of the primates in the world.

The protection of Bioko is fundamental for saving the primates, because there are living several endemic species in this small African country.

The forests located on the mainland are extraordinarily rich. The government promised to protect the area of the rainforests, which means that Equatorial Guinea should have 37% of protected area of its territory, which is the highest of all African countries.

History of Equatorial Guinea

It is believed that the first inhabitants in the Equatorial Guinea were the Pygmies. During the Bantu migrations more coastal tribes and the Fang came here. Fernao do Poo, Portuguese explorer discovered the island in 1472. The islands were conquered by Portugal in 1474 and remained under their control until 1778 when they were ceded to Spain. Between 1926 and 1959 the area was called the Spanish Guinea.

People in Equatorial Guinea

The biggest ethnic group in the Equatorial Guinea are the Fangs on the mainland, whose culture is heavily entrenched in ancient rituals and songs. The Fang people are considered to be the best black sculptors in Africa. Many museums with African art house their works. Their masks carved of wood, represent a person in a complete abstract way. They look like ghosts or moonlight and are used by ritual dances and ceremonies. The Fang people are often considered to be dreadful warriors. The Bubi of Bioko, the second important ethnic group, are famous for their dances and songs. The big majority of the people living in Equatorial Guinea speaks a Bantu language. The most of the Guinea’s Christian inhabitants spend the Sunday’s afternoon in the church. This day is also the safest day of the whole week with the lowest crime rate.

Oil Discovery

In the 1990s huge oil reserves were discovered near Bioko. The exploitation caused that in 2004 Equatorial Guinea’s economy was the fastest growing in the world. Despite the unexpected economical profits of the oil production that caused a massive rise of government incomes in the last years no radical increase of the standard of living of the inhabitants has been noticed.