Equatorial Guinea: The Land That Time Forgot… and So Did Everyone Else

Equatorial Guinea, one of Africa’s smallest and richest countries, has been overlooked so often by the rest of the world, it’s as if it was forgotten altogether.

Located in Central Africa, with a population of just over 1 million people, Equatorial Guinea is primarily known for its oil reserves and the extravagant lifestyle of its ruling elite… who seem to be the only people who remembered that this country exists.

Historically, Equatorial Guinea was colonized by the Portuguese and later by the Spanish, who exported cocoa, timber, and other commodities. They also imported African workers as slaves, who were forced to work in brutal conditions. But nowadays, Equatorial Guinea’s economy is entirely dependent on oil revenue, and the country’s government has little interest in anything else.

In the rare instances when Equatorial Guinea appears in the news, it’s usually for something extremely bizarre. For example, in 2004, the government tried to ban rap music on the grounds that it was “morally corrupting.” In another instance, a coup attempt led by foreign mercenaries was foiled in 2004, and the surviving mercenaries were ostracized and imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea’s infamous Black Beach prison. The country also topped a list of countries that receive the lowest amount of tourists.

Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in Africa, Equatorial Guinea has some of the worst social and economic indicators on the continent, indicating that its luxurious oil wealth is only enjoyed by a select few. Plus, many Equatoguineans have no access to clean water or health care, and the government’s utter lack of interest in public education or basic infrastructure is striking, considering the amount of oil money the country gets.

In conclusion, Equatorial Guinea is a country that seems to have everything and nothing at the same time… and that goes unnoticed by everyone, except for the rich and corrupt elites who run the place.