Page last updated on January 27, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Equatorial Guinea gained independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. This tiny country, composed of a mainland portion plus five inhabited islands, is one of the smallest on the African continent. President Teodoro OBIANG NGUEMA MBASOGO has ruled the country since 1979 when he seized power in a coup. Although nominally a constitutional democracy since 1991, the 1996, 2002, and 2009 presidential elections - as well as the 1999, 2004, and 2008 legislative elections - were widely seen as flawed. The president exerts almost total control over the political system and has discouraged political opposition. Equatorial Guinea has experienced rapid economic growth due to the discovery of large offshore oil reserves, and in the last decade has become Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil exporter. Despite the country's economic windfall from oil production, resulting in a massive increase in government revenue in recent years, improvements in the population's living standards have been slow to develop.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Africa
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 28,051 sq km
country comparison to the world: 146
land: 28,051 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Maryland
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 539 km
border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
296 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 4.63%
permanent crops: 2.5%
other: 92.87% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 0.02 cu km/yr (80%/15%/5%)
per capita: 31.41 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
violent windstorms; flash floods
volcanism: Santa Isabel (elev. 3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tap water is not potable; deforestation
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, 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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
insular and continental regions widely separated
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Equatorial Guinean(s) or Equatoguinean(s)
adjective: Equatorial Guinean or Equatoguinean
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4% (1994 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Spanish (official) 67.6%, other (includes French (official), Fang, Bubi) 32.4% (1994 census)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
nominally Christian and predominantly Roman Catholic, pagan practices
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
704,001 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 41% (male 146,797/female 142,034)
15-24 years: 19.4% (male 69,547/female 67,096)
25-54 years: 31.3% (male 109,062/female 111,489)
55-64 years: 4.2% (male 12,647/female 16,708)
65 years and over: 4.1% (male 12,163/female 16,458) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 71.4 %
youth dependency ratio: 66.6 %
elderly dependency ratio: 4.8 %
potential support ratio: 21 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 19.2 years
male: 18.7 years
female: 19.8 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.58% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34.35 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.59 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 84
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 39.5% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.16% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
MALABO (capital) 137,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.76 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female
total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
240 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 49
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 73.12 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 14
male: 74.18 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 72.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 63.12 years
country comparison to the world: 184
male: 62.09 years
female: 64.18 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.74 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.1% (2000)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 164
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.3 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.1 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 1,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria and dengue fever
animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.6% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 129
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.6% (2004)
country comparison to the world: 67
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.6% of GDP (2003)
country comparison to the world: 173
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 94.2%
male: 97.1%
female: 91.1% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 8 years
male: 9 years
female: 7 years (2002)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 35,382
percentage: 28 % (2000 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Republic of Equatorial Guinea
conventional short form: Equatorial Guinea
local long form: Republica de Guinea Ecuatorial/Republique de Guinee equatoriale
local short form: Guinea Ecuatorial/Guinee equatoriale
former: Spanish Guinea
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Malabo
geographic coordinates: 3 45 N, 8 47 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 provinces (provincias, singular - provincia); Annobon, Bioko Norte, Bioko Sur, Centro Sur, Kie-Ntem, Litoral, Wele-Nzas
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
12 October 1968 (from Spain)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 12 October (1968)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
approved by referendum 17 November 1991; amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed system of civil and customary law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Teodoro OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo (since 3 August 1979 when he seized power in a military coup)
head of government: Prime Minister Vicente Ehate TOMI (since 22 May 2012)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (two term limits); election last held on 29 November 2009 (next to be held in 2015); prime minister and deputy prime ministers appointed by the president; note - according to the constitutional referendum on November 2011, elections are to be held in 2015 and the presidency is limited to two terms
election results: Teodoro OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo reelected president; percent of vote - Teodoro OBIANG Nguema Mbasogo 95.8%, Placido Mico ABOGO 3.6%, other 0.6%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate (70 seats; 55 seats directly elected and 15 appointed by the president) and the House of People's Representatives or Camara de Representantes del Pueblo (100 seats; members directly elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 26 May 2013 (next to be held in 2018)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 54, CPDS 1; House of People's Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDGE 99, CPDS 1
note: note - Parliament has little power since the constitution vests all executive authority in the president; the constitutional referendum of 2011 established a bicameral legislature formed following the May 2013 elections; the newly formed Senate consists of elected and appointed (by the President) members
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Justice (consists of the chief justice and NA judges); Constitutional Court (consists of the court president and 4 members)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the president for 5-year terms; Constitutional Court members appointed by the president
subordinate courts: Court of Guarantees; military courts; Courts of Appeal; first instance tribunals; district and county tribunals
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Convergence Party for Social Democracy or CPDS [Placido MICO Abogo]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ASODEGUE (Madrid-based pressure group for democratic reform)
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, CPLP (associate), FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Ruben Maye Nsue MANGUE (since 10 September 2013)
chancery: 2020 16th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone: [1] (202) 518-5700
FAX: [1] (202) 518-5252
consul general(s): Houston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Mark L. ASQUINO (since 29 June 2012)
embassy: K-3, Carretera de Aeropuerto, Al lado de Restaurante El Paraiso, Malabo
mailing address: B.P. 817, Yaounde, Cameroon; US Embassy Yaounde, US Department of State, Washington, DC 20521-2520
telephone: [240] 333 09 88 95
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
three equal horizontal bands of green (top), white, and red, with a blue isosceles triangle based on the hoist side and the coat of arms centered in the white band; the coat of arms has six yellow six-pointed stars (representing the mainland and five offshore islands) above a gray shield bearing a silk-cotton tree and below which is a scroll with the motto UNIDAD, PAZ, JUSTICIA (Unity, Peace, Justice); green symbolizes the jungle and natural resources, blue represents the sea that connects the mainland to the islands, white stands for peace, and red recalls the fight for independence
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
silk cotton tree
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Caminemos pisando la senda" (Let Us Tread the Path)
lyrics/music: Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO/Atanasio Ndongo MIYONO or Ramiro Sanchez LOPEZ (disputed)
note: adopted 1968
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The discovery and exploitation of large oil and gas reserves have contributed to dramatic economic growth, but fluctuating oil prices have produced huge swings in GDP growth in recent years. The economy is still dominated by hydrocarbon production. The government has solicited foreign investment, particularly from the United States, to diversify the economy. Undeveloped natural resources include gold, zinc, diamonds, columbite-tantalite, and other base metals. Forestry and farming are also minor components of GDP. Subsistence farming is the dominant form of livelihood. Although pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings, the neglect of the rural economy under successive regimes has diminished potential for agriculture-led growth. The government has stated its intention to reinvest some oil revenue into agriculture. A number of aid programs sponsored by the World Bank and the IMF have been cut off since 1993 because of corruption and mismanagement. The government has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency and misuse of oil revenues. The government has made efforts to address this issue working towards compliance with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative in 2010. The economy recovered from the global recession in 2011-12 stimulated by higher oil prices and large investments in public infrastructure and hotels.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$19.7 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$17.45 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$26,500 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
note: data are in 2010 US dollars; population figures are uncertain for Equatorial Guinea; these per capita income figures are based on a estimated population of less than 700,000; some estimates put the figure as high as 1.2 million people; if true, the per capita GDP figures would be significantly lower
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26.4% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 27.4%
government consumption: 3.7%
investment in fixed capital: 42%
investment in inventories: 1%
exports of goods and services: 83.7%
imports of goods and services: -57.9%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 4.6%
industry: 87.6%
services: 7.8% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
coffee, cocoa, rice, yams, cassava (manioc), bananas, palm oil nuts; livestock; timber
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum, natural gas, sawmilling
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
195,200 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 172
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $6.429 billion
expenditures: $6.585 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
15% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.023 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3.115 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-631.4 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$-2.945 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$14.86 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum products, timber
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Japan 18.8%, France 16.1%, China 11.7%, US 11.3%, Netherlands 7.2%, Spain 7.1%, Italy 5.1% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8.045 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
petroleum sector equipment, other equipment, construction materials, vehicles
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Spain 18.4%, China 17.4%, US 11.1%, France 8%, Italy 5.9%, Cote dIvoire 5.3%, Brazil 4.4% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$4.397 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.858 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
97 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
90.21 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
38,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
97.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 61
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.6% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
318,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 34
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
319,100 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.1 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 42
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,074 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,588 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,320 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4,561 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.88 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.58 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.26 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
36.81 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 68
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.232 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14,900 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 195
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
501,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 169
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: digital fixed-line network in most major urban areas and good mobile coverage
domestic: fixed-line density is about 2 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular subscribership has been increasing and in 2011 stood at about 60 percent of the population
international: country code - 240; international communications from Bata and Malabo to African and European countries; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
state maintains control of broadcast media with domestic broadcast media limited to 1 state-owned TV station, 1 state-owned radio station, and 1 private radio station owned by the president's eldest son; satellite TV service is available; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible (2007)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.gq
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 227
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14,400 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 200
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 166
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 6
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 2 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
condensate 42 km; condensate/gas 5 km; gas 79 km; oil 71 km (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,880 km (2000)
country comparison to the world: 168
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5
country comparison to the world: 128
by type: cargo 1, chemical tanker 1, petroleum tanker 3
foreign-owned: 1 (Norway 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Bata, Luba, Malabo
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Equatorial Guinea Armed Forces (FAGE): Equatorial Guinea National Guard (Guardia Nacional de Guinea Ecuatoria, GNGE (Army), with Coast Guard (Navy) and Air Wing) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age for selective compulsory military service, although conscription is rare in practice; 2-year service obligation; women hold only administrative positions in the Coast Guard (2013)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 151,147
females age 16-49: 150,345 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 113,277
females age 16-49: 115,320 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 7,398
female: 7,126 (2010 est.)
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
in 2002, ICJ ruled on an equidistance settlement of Cameroon-Equatorial Guinea-Nigeria maritime boundary in the Gulf of Guinea, but a dispute between Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon over an island at the mouth of the Ntem River and imprecisely defined maritime coordinates in the ICJ decision delayed final delimitation; UN urged Equatorial Guinea and Gabon to resolve the sovereignty dispute over Gabon-occupied Mbane and lesser islands and to create a maritime boundary in the hydrocarbon-rich Corisco Bay