Equatorial Guinea vs. Gabon
Geography
| Equatorial Guinea | Gabon | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Central Africa, bordering the Bight of Biafra, between Cameroon and Gabon | Central Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea |
| Geographic coordinates | 2 00 N, 10 00 E | 1 00 S, 11 45 E |
| Map references | Africa | Africa |
| Area | total: 28,051 sq km land: 28,051 sq km water: 0 sq km | total: 267,667 sq km land: 257,667 sq km water: 10,000 sq km |
| Area - comparative | slightly smaller than Maryland | slightly smaller than Colorado |
| Land boundaries | total: 528 km border countries (2): Cameroon 183 km, Gabon 345 km | total: 3,261 km border countries (3): Cameroon 349 km, Republic of the Congo 2567 km, Equatorial Guinea 345 km |
| Coastline | 296 km | 885 km |
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
| Climate | tropical; always hot, humid | tropical; always hot, humid |
| Terrain | coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic | narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south |
| Elevation extremes | highest point: Pico Basile 3,008 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 577 m | highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 377 m |
| Natural resources | petroleum, natural gas, timber, gold, bauxite, diamonds, tantalum, sand and gravel, clay | petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower |
| Land use | agricultural land: 10.1% (2018 est.) arable land: 4.3% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 2.1% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 3.7% (2018 est.) forest: 57.5% (2018 est.) other: 32.4% (2018 est.) | agricultural land: 19% (2018 est.) arable land: 1.2% (2018 est.) permanent crops: 0.6% (2018 est.) permanent pasture: 17.2% (2018 est.) forest: 81% (2018 est.) other: 0% (2018 est.) |
| Irrigated land | NA | 40 sq km (2012) |
| Natural hazards | violent windstorms; flash floods volcanism: Santa Isabel (3,007 m), which last erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano; Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, form Bioko Island in the Gulf of Guinea | none |
| Environment - current issues | deforestation (forests are threatened by agricultural expansion, fires, and grazing); desertification; water pollution (tap water is non-potable); wildlife preservation | deforestation (the forests that cover three-quarters of the country are threatened by excessive logging); burgeoning population exacerbating disposal of solid waste; oil industry contributing to water pollution; wildlife poaching |
| Environment - international agreements | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban | party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements |
| Geography - note | insular and continental regions widely separated; despite its name, no part of the Equator passes through Equatorial Guinea; the mainland part of the country is located just north of the Equator | a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity |
| Total renewable water resources | 26 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) | 166 billion cubic meters (2017 est.) |
| Population distribution | only two large cities over 30,000 people (Bata on the mainland, and the capital Malabo on the island of Bioko); small communities are scattered throughout the mainland and the five inhabited islands as shown in this population distribution map | the relatively small population is spread in pockets throughout the country; the largest urban center is the capital of Libreville, located along the Atlantic coast in the northwest as shown in this population distribution map |
Source: CIA Factbook
