The Republic of Equatorial Guinea is one of the smallest nations on the African continent, situated in Central Africa along the Gulf of Guinea. The country is divided into two administrative regions:

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• The Continental Region, with Bata as its capital, shares borders with Cameroon to the north, Gabon to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It also includes Corisco Island and the Elobey Islands (Elobey Chico and Elobey Grande).

• The Insular Region comprises the islands of Bioko and Annobón. The country’s capital, Malabo, is located on Bioko Island.

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       Equatorial Guinea is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, having gained independence from Spain on October 12, 1968, during the eleventh government of Francisco Franco, as part of the United Nations-supported decolonization process in Africa.

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        Despite its small size (28,050 km² with a population of 1,222,442), Equatorial Guinea ranks third in Africa in terms of biodiversity. It is a nation in continuous development, rich in natural resources. In the late 1990s, American multinational companies discovered significant reserves of crude oil and natural gas, which have since played an essential role in the global energy supply.

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        Over the past decade, Equatorial Guinea’s international visibility has grown exponentially, positioning the country as a pillar of stability and security in Central Africa. The nation has also played a key role in regional diplomacy, hosting major international events such as the African Union Summit in 2011 and 2014.