Isle of Fernando (Bioko): Location in Gulf of Guinea

The Isle of Fernando—historically Fernando Pó, now Bioko—is the largest island of Equatorial Guinea.

Geography

• Location: Gulf of Guinea, 32 km (20 mi) off Cameroon coast
• Coordinates: 3°45′N 8°47′E
• Area: 2,017 km² (779 sq mi)
• Highest point: Pico Basile (3,011 m / 9,879 ft) – dormant volcano
• Capital: Malabo (on north coast) – national capital of Equatorial Guinea

History

• Discovered 1472 by Portuguese navigator Fernão do Pó
• Spanish colony (1778–1968)
• Named Bioko 1979 (after independence)

Significance

• Oil/gas hub (major GDP driver)
• Biodiversity: Endemic primates (Bioko drill, Pennant's red colobus), birds
• Tropical climate, volcanic soils

Not to be confused with Fernando de Noronha (Brazil, Atlantic).