Equatorial Guinea, officially the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, is a country in West Middle Africa, one of the smallest in continental Africa. Formerly the Spanish colony of Spanish Guinea, the country's territory (continentally known as Río Muni) includes a number of islands, including the sizable island of Bioko where Malabo, the capital, is located. It is the only country in Africa where Spanish is an official language, excluding the Spanish exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.

Pre-independence Equatorial Guinea counted on cocoa production for hard currency earnings. The discovery of large oil reserves in 1996 and its subsequent exploitation have contributed to a dramatic increase in government revenue. Forestry, farming, and fishing are also major components of GDP.