OVERVIEW OF EQUATORIAL GUINEA
A country in central Africa, Equatorial Guinea is situated between Gabon and Cameroon to the north and south, respectively. As of 2021, this coastal nation had a population of roughly 1.5 million people, with Malabo serving as its capital. Originally known as the colony of Spanish Guinea, its post-independence moniker refers to its proximity to both the Gulf of Guinea and the Equator. Before gaining its independence, Equatorial Guinea supplied timber, coffee, and cocoa, primarily to Spain, its colonial overlord, but also to Germany and the UK. The 1996 discovery of significant oil reserves and the subsequent exploitation of those reserves led to a sharp rise in government revenue. Equatorial Guinea ranked third in Sub-Saharan Africa for oil production as of 2004. The World Bank reports that Equatorial Guinea has the highest GNI