Geography and Environment

Geography and Environment of Equatorial Guinea

Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of Equatorial Guinea.

Terrain: coastal plains rise to interior hills; islands are volcanic
Climate: tropical; always hot, humid
Weather Patterns: http://voap.weather.com/weather/oap/EKXX0003?template=TRVLH&par=1003114983&unit=0&key=5b85ae1d85877a1b34827fba743e2133
Highest Point: 3008 — Pico Basile 3,008 m
Lowest Point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Natural Resources: Oil and natural gas are the dominant natural resources of Equatorial Guinea, forming the backbone of its economy since major offshore discoveries in the 1990s. The country holds significant hydrocarbon reserves, though production has been declining from its mid-2000s peak as mature fields deplete. Timber remains an important resource, with extensive tropical rainforests covering much of the mainland Río Muni region. The country also possesses small, largely unexploited mineral deposits, including gold, manganese, uranium, titanium, and iron ore, none of which have been developed at commercial scale. Methanol production and liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports have grown in importance alongside crude oil, as the country seeks to maximize value from its gas reserves rather than flare them. Fishing grounds in its territorial waters also represent a significant but underleveraged natural asset.
Natural Hazards: violent windstorms, flash floods

Current Environmental Issues: tap water is not potable; deforestation
International Agreements: Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Detailed geography