Part 224

Defense expenditures: exchange rate conversion - $100 million, 1% of GDP (1995)

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@Equatorial Guinea -----------------

Map ---

Location: 2 00 N, 10 00 E -- Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cameroon and Gabon

Flag ----

Description: 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)

Geography ---------

Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cameroon and Gabon

Geographic coordinates: 2 00 N, 10 00 E

Map references: Africa

Area: total area: 28,050 sq km land area: 28,050 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Maryland

Land boundaries: total: 539 km border countries: Cameroon 189 km, Gabon 350 km

Coastline: 296 km

Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: maritime boundary dispute with Gabon because of disputed sovereignty over islands in Corisco Bay

Climate: tropical; always hot, humid

Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Malabo 3,008 m

Natural resources: timber, petroleum, small unexploited deposits of gold, manganese, uranium

Land use: arable land: 8% permanent crops: 4% meadows and pastures: 4% forest and woodland: 51% other: 33%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment: current issues: tap water is not potable; desertification natural hazards: violent windstorms international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban; signed, but not ratified - Desertification, Law of the Sea

Geographic note: insular and continental regions rather widely separated

People ------

Population: 431,282 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 43% (male 93,319; female 92,753) 15-64 years: 53% (male 108,706; female 120,129) 65 years and over: 4% (male 7,235; female 9,140) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 2.58% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 39.77 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)