Geography of Equatorial Guinea
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2008-07-15T07:25:37Z
Sephiroth BCR
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/58.106.23.123|58.106.23.123]] to last version by Sephiroth BCR (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
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|+<big><big>'''República de Guinea Ecuatorial<br>République de la Guinée Équatoriale'''</big></big>
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| style="background:#efefef;" align="center" colspan="2" |
[[Image:Equatorial Guinea Map.png|none|300px|Shaded relief map of Equatorial Guinea]]
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| '''[[Continent]]''' || [[Africa]]
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| '''[[Geographic coordinates]]''' || {{coor dm|2|00|N|10|00|E|type:country}}
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| '''[[Area]]'''<br /> - Total <br /> - % water
| [[List of countries by area|Ranked 141st]] <br /> 28,051 km² <br /> Negligible
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| '''Coastline''' || 296 km
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| '''Highest point''' || [[Pico Basile]], 3,008 m
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| '''Lowest point''' || [[Atlantic Ocean]], 0 m
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| '''Longest river''' || [[Uola River]]
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| '''Land Use'''<br> - Arable land<br> - Permanent<br> crops<br> - Permanent<br> pastures<br> - Forests and<br> woodlands<br> - Other ||<br>5 %
4 %
4 %
46 %<br>41 % (1993 est.)
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| '''[[Climate]]''': || [[Tropics|Tropical]]
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| '''add more''' || need ideas
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| '''Natural resources''' || [[petroleum]], [[timber]], small unexploited deposits of [[gold]], [[manganese]], [[uranium]]
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| '''Environmental issues''' || [[drinking water]], [[desertification]]
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{{MapLibrary|EquatorialGuinea_sat.png|Equatorial Guinea}}
The Republic of '''Equatorial Guinea''' is located in west central [[Africa]]. [[Bioko|Bioko Island]] lies about 40 kilometers (25 mi.) from [[Cameroon]]. [[Annobón]] Island lies about 595 kilometers (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 (780 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 (120-mi.) coastline is steep and rugged in the south but lower and more accessible in the north, with excellent harbors at [[Malabo]] and [[Luba, Equatorial Guinea|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 (7 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 539 km. It borders [[Cameroon]] (189 km) in the north and [[Gabon]] (350 km) in the east and south.
'''Maritime claims:'''
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
== 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 inches (2,388 millimetres) a year. At Calatrava, farther south on the coast, it sometimes reaches 180 inches. Inland, however, rainfall diminishes; Mikomeseng, for example, receives only about 58 inches. The average annual temperature is about 79°F (26°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°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 inches a year around San Antonio de Ureca.
== Terrain ==
Coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
'''Irrigated land:'''
NA km²
'''Natural hazards:'''
violent windstorms, flash floods
'''Environment - current issues:'''
tap water is not potable; desertification
'''Environment - international agreements:'''
party to:
Biodiversity, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
'''Geography - note:'''
insular and continental regions rather widely separated
==See also==
*[[Equatorial Guinea]]
{{Geography of Africa}}
[[Category:Geography of Equatorial Guinea| ]]
[[es:Geografía de Guinea Ecuatorial]]
[[fr:Géographie de la Guinée équatoriale]]
[[it:Geografia della Guinea Equatoriale]]
[[pt:Geografia da Guiné Equatorial]]
[[vec:Giografia de la Guinea Equatorial]]