Comprising five islands and the territory of Río Muni on the west coast of Africa, Equatorial Guinea lies just north of the equator. Mangrove swamps border the mainland coast. The republic gained its independence in 1968 after 190 years of Spanish rule. Multipartyism was accepted in 1991, but the fairness of subsequent general elections has been questioned.

The mainland has a majority of Fang, a people who also inhabit Cameroon and north Gabon. Bioko is populated by a majority of Bubi and a minority of Creoles, known as Fernandinos. The Macías dictatorship consolidated the power of the Fang, especially the Mongomo clan, from which both Macías and his successor Obiang come. The extended family has maintained its solidarity, despite disruptive social pressure during the Macías dictatorship.

Strengths

Fertile soils. Timber. Cocoa and coffee. Extensive territorial waters, with potential for fisheries. The economy is strengthening as oil and gas reserves are exploited.

Weaknesses

Lasting effects of economic regression under Macías dictatorship. Maladministration and ideological attacks on the educated have restricted growth; under Macías, cocoa production slumped by 90%. Government complaints that oil exploitation contracts favor the companies.

Despite officially being a multiparty state since 1991, some of the several exiled political parties have not yet found it safe to return. The ruling PDGE was set up in 1987 by Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, nephew of the dictator Francisco Macías Nguema, whom he overthrew in 1979. It replaced Macías' National Workers' Party (PUNT). The PDGE benefits from heavy government patronage, receiving 3% of all salaries.

The movement toward multipartyism – which was initiated in 1988 following the first elections for 20 years – has been marked by instability. The 1993 parliamentary elections were boycotted by the main opposition parties, while the presidential poll in 1996, in which Obiang was the only candidate, was declared farcical by foreign observers. The 1999 legislative elections were won easily by the PDGE, but denounced by the opposition. 68 opposition leaders were jailed in 2002 in connection with a 1997 plot to overthrow the government.

After a period of extreme isolation at the time of the Macías dictatorship, Equatorial Guinea sought to rebuild links, especially with Spain, the former colonial power and traditionally a haven for political dissenters. A maritime border dispute with Nigeria was finally settled in 2000, paving the way for the exploitation of large oil reserves in the Gulf of Guinea. Wealth from these reserves is likely to affect regional relations greatly in the future.

The main concern for the military and paramilitary force is internal security. Cuba and North Korea provided Macías with a presidential guard, while Obiang has been protected by Moroccan troops. Nigeria, Cameroon, and Gabon have interests in maintaining the autonomy of the Malabo and Río Muni regions.

There are estimated to be ten years of oil and gas reserves at current production levels. President Obiang has pledged to use income from oil to promote development. Bata is served by a 3.2 MW hydropower plant.

The government has failed to take any serious measures to stop timber companies depleting the rainforest.

Apart from once- or twice-weekly IBERIA flights to Madrid, all air links are through neighboring countries. The Chinese financed the Ncue–Mongomo Highway project in the 1980s.

Life expectancy, which was just 37 years in 1960, had risen substantially by 2000. There are 25 doctors to every 100,000 people.

Education declined in the Macías years, when attendance rates fell from 90% to 55%. Although education is declared the state's first priority, funding is poor.

The level of recorded crime is relatively low, although much does not get reported. Many human rights abuses still occur.

What wealth there is in Equatorial Guinea tends to be concentrated in the ruling clan. There is also a remnant of the Spanish plutocracy.

Equatorial Guinea is only for the adventurous, independent tourist, despite the potential attraction of beaches and Bioko's spectacular mountain scenery.

Equatorial Guinea remained a backwater of Spanish colonialism until development began after 1939.

• 1968 Independence. President Macías begins reign of terror.
• 1979 Coup puts nephew in power.
• 1991 Multiparty constitution.
• 1999 Ruling party wins majority in election condemned as fraudulent.
• 2001 Cabinet resigns over allegations of mismanagement and corruption.