Malabo is the capital of Equatorial Guinea. Malabo is located on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea. Equatorial Guinea is the only country that the capital is on an island, which has the island as well as the mainland.
The city is home to modern buildings as well as historical buildings built after Spanish domination. In Malabo, the oldest city of Equatorial Guinea, Spanish is the official language. Although French and Portuguese are a little used, Spanish is the most commonly used. There are international airports, state palaces, national stadium and port in the city.
When did Malabo Become the Capital?
Malabo is a city with a rich historical background. Discovered in 1472 by the Portuguese explorer Fernão po Do, the island was named Formosa, which means in Portuguese beautiful. In time, his name changed to Bioko. The island was liberated with Equatorial Guinea, which declared its independence in 1968 after staying in Spanish domination for 200 years. Then, in the Spanish colony, the island of Santa Isabel was named as Malabo. In the 1990s, with the discovery of natural gas and oil, Equatorial Guinea became a force in the region and Malabo started to develop rapidly. In 2012, he was known for hosting the African International Football Championship and the African Union Summit in 2011.
Malabo, a privileged location among African cities, with its natural beauties, world cuisine, and a wonderful view of its historical architecture, is one of the cities that can be visited to experience the exotic atmosphere.
Features of Malabo
According to the data of Malabo 2018 has a population of 297,000. Malabo has an area of 21 square kilometers. Malabo is located on the northern coast of the Bioko Island of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea on the African continent. The neighboring country is 32 kilometers away from Cameroon.
Malabo is an oil-rich city. Since the climate is very hot, agricultural activities have not developed. People are interested in fishing and trade as the main source of livelihood. In addition, with the increase in tourism activities, development started to be observed in the city and the country. Malabo International Airport (Saint Isabel Airport) is 9 kilometers from the city center. From the airport, there are flights to Europe and some capitals in Africa. To get to the city from the airport, taxis or public transportation which are not too high-price can be used.
Malabo has a tropical climate. During most months of the year, there is significant rainfall in Malabo. There is an ineffective drought in a very short period of time. The average temperature in Malabo is 25.3 ° C.
Important Places to See in Malabo
Catedrál de Santa Isabel is one of the country’s most admired architectural structures. The construction of the cathedral to the west of Plaza de España began in 1887 and the cathedral was blessed in 1916. Architect Llairadó Luis Segarra also received some information from Catalan Antonio Gaudí, the architect of La Sagrada Familia, Barcelona, in the construction of the cathedral. The gothic architecture of the recently renovated cathedral is surrounded by towers with a height of 40 meters.
Equatoguinean Cultural Center is a bright yellow colonial architectural monument. Cultural Center has a performance scene and gallery. You can participate by following the events here.