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 5285 km
Highest point Pico Basile, 3,008 m
Lowest point Atlantic Ocean, 0 m
Longest river Uola River
Climate Tropical
Natural Resources petroleum, timber, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium
Environmental Issues drinking water, desertification
Satellite image of Equatorial Guinea

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 Rio Muni lies between Cameroon and Gabon on the mainland; it includes the islands of Corisco, Elobey Grande, Elobey Chico, and adjacent islets.

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, Rio 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 Rio Muni in half, is unnavigable except for a 20-kilometer stretch at its estuary. Temperatures and humidity in Rio 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: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon.

Boundaries

Equatorial Guinea's land boundaries total 528 km. It borders Cameroon (183 km) in the north and Gabon (345 km) in the east and south.

Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nmi (22.2 km; 13.8 mi)

exclusive economic zone: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi)


Climate

The climate of both the continental region and the islands is typically equatorial, with high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and much cloud cover most of the year. Local variations are due to differences in altitude and proximity to the sea. The wet seasons in the continental region are from February to June and from September to December. Rainfall is higher on the coast than inland. In Bata the rainiest months are September, October, and November, with rainfall averaging more than 94 in (2,388 mm) a year. At Calatrava, farther south on the coast, it sometimes reaches 180 in (4,572 mm). Inland, however, rainfall diminishes; Mikomeseng, for example, receives only about 58 in (1,473 mm). The average annual temperature is about 79 °F (26.1 °C) and is fairly constant throughout the year. The temperature maxima are somewhat lower than in Bioko. The relative humidity, however, is higher than in Bioko. Bioko has a rather debilitating climate. The so-called dry season lasts from November to March, and the rest of the year is rainy. The average annual temperature of about 77 °F (25 °C) varies little throughout the year. Afternoon temperatures reach the high 80s °F (low 30s °C) and drop to only about 70 °F (21.1 °C) at night. Most of the time the sky is cloudy and overcast. Extreme rainfall occurs in the south, with rain brought by monsoon winds amounting to about 450 in (11,430 mm) a year around San Antonio de Ureca.

Terrain

Land Use (2012 est.)
Arable land: 4.28%
Permanent crops: 2.14%
Other: 93.58%

Coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic.

Irrigated land: NA km²

Total renewable water resources: 26 km3 (2011)

Natural hazards: violent windstorms, flash floods

Environment - current issues: tap water is not potable; deforestation

Environment - international agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, 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

Geography - note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated

Extreme points

This is a list of the extreme points of Equatorial Guinea, the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.

See also