15 Places That Don't Mean What You Think: Explained
Discover 15 places that don't mean what you think—from Paris, Texas to Greenland—and the surprising stories behind their misleading names.
Equatorial Guinean
/ˌiːkwəˈtɔːriəl ɡɪˈniən/

Equatorial Guinea is a small Central African nation that holds the distinction of being the only Spanish-speaking country on the African continent. Its capital city is Malabo, located on the island of Bioko, although the government has been developing Oyala as a planned new administrative capital on the mainland. The country consists of a mainland region called Río Muni and several islands in the Gulf of Guinea. Oil discoveries transformed its economy in recent decades, making it one of the continent's notable petroleum producers. Its landscapes include lush rainforests, volcanic islands, and beaches that support rich biodiversity. Bioko Island is home to a variety of primates and bird species, which attract nature enthusiasts. Spanish and French are official languages, alongside local traditions rooted in Bantu cultures. Travelers interested in unusual African destinations and tropical wildlife will find Equatorial Guinea distinctive.
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Named for its location near the equator and the Guinea region of Africa.
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Want to explore where Equatorial Guineans live? Here's the atlas that does it best:
Highly detailed, stunning visuals
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Challenge yourself with our demonym quizzes and see how many you can get right!
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Take a Quiz →Discover demonyms from other places in this region