Discover Equatorial Guinea: Top 9 Fascinating Fun Facts You Never Knew!

1. Spanish-speaking Africa

"If you thought Dora the Explorer had the market cornered on multicultural adventures, think again: Equatorial Guinea is the only Spanish-speaking country in Africa, boasting the third highest biodiversity on the continent and rich reserves of crude oil and natural gas, all while fitting snuggly into just 28,000 square kilometers since its independence from Spain in 1968."
Source => egembassydc.com

2. Rainy Ureca

If you've ever wanted to shower in Mother Nature's very own deluge spa, pack your best galoshes and hop on over to: San Antonio de Ureca in Bioko Sur, Equatorial Guinea, which holds the prestigious title of being the wettest place in Africa! Soaking up an annual average rainfall of about 10,450 millimeters (418 inches), Ureca turns heads as one of the top H2O hotspots on Earth - a rain lover's dream come true and the ultimate playground for water-based adventure seekers.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Discover where King Kong vacations and meet an enchanting entourage of primates on Mount Cameroon, West Africa's highest and world's 31st-most prominent peak. Get ready for a volcanic adventure!

=> Fun Facts about Cameroon

3. Africa's Spanish Tango

Well slap my thigh and call me Federico: Equatorial Guinea is not only the belle of a unique linguistic ball, but it's also the sole bump-and-grind partner for the Spanish language on Africa's dance floor, all thanks to its historic tango with Spanish colonial rule until 1968!
Source => history.state.gov

4. Capital City Switcharoo

It seems Equatorial Guinea is playing a real-life game of musical chairs with its capital cities: Malabo's reign as the capital may not be eternal! The serious reveal: Malabo, founded in 1827 as Santa Isabel, was renamed in 1973 after the last Bubi king, and is set to be replaced by an under-construction city, Ciudad de la Paz, as Equatorial Guinea's new capital.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

5. Ecosystem Extravaganza

Lend me your (hungry anteater) ears, for a tale that will make you want to (pencilfish) wiggle with excitement like a slippery (Pachyophis) serpent: Equatorial Guinea boasts a smorgasbord of ecosystems, from tropical and swampy rainforests to mangroves and subalpine grasslands, hosting a plethora of endemic species just waiting to be discovered.
Source => cafi.org

6. Sea Turtle Maternity Ward

Why did the sea turtle cross the road? To lay her eggs on Equatorial Guinea's pristine beaches, of course: Home to four species of sea turtles, Punta Tika on the mainland and the southern shores of Bioko Island become nesting havens from January to April.
Source => bradtguides.com

7. Malabo vs. Ciudad de la Paz

If Malabo sent out a memo saying, "Equatorial Guinea, we need to talk," it might have a lot to do with Ciudad de la Paz, a sleek newcomer with renewable energy goals in its sights: Djibloho, also known as Ciudad de la Paz, is a freshly minted city looking to steal the limelight from Malabo as the nation's capital. This sustainable utopia designed by Portuguese Studio FAT – Future Architecture Thinking is set to house around 200,000 residents while entirely relying on renewable energy, sporting a university, a golf course, a luxury hotel, and even receiving construction support from China, Poland, Brazil, and North Korea. No hard feelings, Malabo?
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Tipsy Picasso's Playground

In a land where creativity runs wilder than a tipsy Picasso on roller skates, Equatorial Guinea is the proud birthplace of Don Leandro Mbomio Nsue, an artist so legendary that Mona Lisa herself would beam with approval: Gaining international recognition for his extraordinary sculptures and paintings, Don's masterpieces can be found in museums and galleries across the globe, while the local CEIBA ballet group's nomination at the prestigious Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod gives a rhythmic nod to the country's vivacious musical heritage.
Source => experience-africa.de

9. Jungle VIP Reunion

If Tarzan and Mowgli ever held a family reunion, Equatorial Guinea's Monte Alen National Park would be the prime spot for its lush ambiance and wild attendees: Covering 2000 sq km, this park houses gorillas, chimpanzees, forest elephants, crocodiles, and a diverse collection of birds and insects. This rainforest wonderland offers adventurous hikes through dense foliage with the help of local guides – but beware, as accommodations from the '90s have gone the way of the dinosaurs.
Source => lonelyplanet.com