West Coast of Central Africa, Gulf of Guinea.

GMT + 1.

28,051 sq km (10,831 sq miles).

616,459 (2008 estimate).

22 per sq km.

Malabo. Population: 95,000 (UN estimate 2003).

Equatorial Guinea is bordered to the south and east by Gabon, to the north by Cameroon and to the west by the Gulf of Guinea. The country also comprises the island of Bioko, formerly Fernando Po, 34km (21 miles) off the coast of Cameroon, and the small offshore islands of Corisco, Great Elobey, Small Elobey and Annobón (formerly Pagalu). The mainland province, Rió Muni, is mainly forest, with plantations on the coastal plain and some mountains. Bioko rises steeply to two main peaks in the north and south. The southern area is rugged and inaccessible. Cultivation and settlements exist on the other slopes; above the farming land, the forest is thick. The beaches around the islands are extremely beautiful.

Republic. Declared independence from Spain in 1968.

President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo since 1979.

Prime Minister Ricardo Mangue Obama Nfube since 2007.

In 1996, Equatorial Guinea's first multi-party presidential election was held amid reports of fraud, returning President Obiang Nguema with 99% of the vote. Ricardo Mangue Obama Nfube became the new prime minister in April 2007.

In July 2008, former British army officer Simon Mann was found guilty of involvement in the failed coup attempt of 2004 and sentenced to 34 years in prison.

Spanish and French are the official languages. The main African dialects spoken are Fang and Bubi (which is common on Bioko).

No official religion, but around 90% are Roman Catholic, with an animist minority.

220/240 volts AC, 50Hz.

Foreign visitors (especially Europeans) are a comparative rarity in Equatorial Guinea and are liable to be met with curiosity and, possibly, suspicion. Foreign cigarettes are appreciated as gifts. A knowledge of Spanish is useful.

Photography: A permit is required from the Ministry of Information and Tourism. Care should be taken when choosing subjects. Photographing the presidential palace, airports, ports, military bases and other sensitive areas could lead to imprisonment.