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TOGO is a thin, French-speaking country located in West Africa. There are 3 bordering countries: Benin to the east, Burkina Faso to the north, and Ghana to the west. Togo also borders the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean along its southern coastline. The capital and most-populated city is Lomé. Other cities include Bassar, Guérin-Kouka, Kpèssi, Mango, Sokodé, Tabligbo, Tchamba, and Yégué. The currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
SIERRA LEONE is a circular nation located in Western Africa. There are 2 bordering countries: Guinea to the north and Liberia to the southeast. The capital and most-populated city is Freetown. Other cities include Bauya, Bo, Kenema, Lunsar, Makeni, Pendembu, and Serekolia. The currency is the Sierra Leonean Leone, and its ISO 4217 currency code was SLL. In 2022, a new currency code of SLE was established in 2022 to denote a revamped currency in hopes of combating inflation and reducing the number of 0s on coins and banknotes.
Officially known as the République du Sénégal in French and Republic of Senegal in English, SENEGAL is a predominantly French-speaking country located in West Africa. There are 5 bordering countries: Gambia (surrounded by Senegal on three sides), Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Mauritania. The capital is Dakar, a city with over a million residents. Other cities and communities include Diourbel, Kaolack, Kédougou, Kolda, Linguère, Louga, Ndioum, Pikine, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thiès, and Ziguinchor. Senegal's currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
SÃO TOMÉ and PRÍNCIPE (also written as Sao Tome and Principe) is an island county in Western Africa in the Atlantic Ocean. The predominantly Roman Catholic country is located west of Gabon, south of Nigeria, and in the Gulf of Guinea. Hence its straightforward name, there are two main islands named São Tomé (Saint Thomas) and Príncipe (Prince). Other islands include Caroço, Pedras Tinhosas Islands, and Rolas. The capital and most-populated city is São Tomé. Other communities include Alto Douro, Praia Grande, and Santa Catarina on Sao Tome and Esperança, Santo António, and Sundi on Principe. The currency is the São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra, and its ISO 4217 currency code is STD. Sao Tome and Principe's former currency was the Escudo, which was replaced by the Dobra in 1977.
With a population hovering around 177 million (2017 GeoFact of the Day Blog estimate), NIGERIA is Africa's most-populated country and is particularly situated in West Africa. There are four bordering countries: Benin to the west, Cameroon to the east and southeast, Chad to the northeast, and Niger to the north. Nigeria also borders the Gulf of Guinea and the Bight of Benin water bodies in the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Abuja, while Lagos boasts the title of being the most-populated city in Nigeria and one of the largest in Africa. Other cities include Ibadan, Ife, Jos, Lafia, Maiduguri, Ogbomosho, Onitsha, and Port Harcourt. The currency is the Nigerian Naira, and its ISO 4217 currency code is NGN.
Officially known as the Republic of Niger (French: République du Niger), NIGER is a landlocked, mostly arid country situated in northwestern Africa and named after the 4,180 kilometer (2,597 mile) long Niger River. There are 7 bordering countries: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, and Nigeria. The capital and most-populated city is Niamey. Other communities include Agadéz, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéri, and Zinder. The currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
Known as موريتانيا in the Arabic language, Mauritanie in French, and Muritanya in Berber, MAURITANIA is a large country situated in Western Africa. There are 4 bordering countries: Algeria, Mali, Senegal, and Western Sahara (considered a territory). The capital is Nouakchott! The 2nd largest city, Nouâdhibou, is situated on a peninsula east of the Atlantic Ocean. The currency is the Mauritanian Ouguiya, and its ISO 4217 currency code is MRO.
MALI is a large country situated in Western Africa. There are 7 bordering countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal. Mali was part of 3 major empires in Africa. The capital is Bamako. The currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
Established in the 1800s by freed slaves from the United States of America, LIBERIA is an English-speaking country located in Western Africa. The American Colonization Society helped freed slaves move to what is now Liberia. In 1847, the residents declared independence from the colonizing organization, achieving independence before any colonized country of Africa (Ethiopia was never colonized). There are 3 bordering countries: Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone. The capital and most-populated city is Monrovia. Christianity is the country's main religion. The currency is the Liberian Dollar, and its ISO 4217 currency code is LRD.
GUINEA-BISSAU is a Portuguese-speaking country located in Western Africa. The western part of the country borders the Atlantic Ocean, where an archipelago belonging to the country is found. The Bijagós Archipelago, also called the Arquipélago dos Bijagos in Portuguese, is a collection of dozens of small islands. Some of those islands are not inhabited by people. Guinea-Bissau borders two countries; it is west of Guinea and south of Senegal. The capital is Bissau. The currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
GUINEA is a French-speaking country located in Western Africa. The western part of the country borders the Atlantic Ocean. There are 6 bordering countries: Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. The capital is Conakry, which is located on Tombo Island and on a nearby peninsula called the Kaloum Peninsula - the hyperlink to this GeoFact of the Day Blog post opens in new tab or window. The currency is the Guinean Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is GNF.
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Officially known as the Republic of Ghana, GHANA is a West African country with approximately 28.2 million people (GeoFact of the Day's 2017 estimate). There are three bordering countries: Burkina Faso to the north, Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire) to the west, and Togo to the east. The southern coast of Ghana straddles the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea. The country's largest lake, Lake Volta in eastern Ghana has an area of approximately 3,280 square miles and 8,500 square kilometers. Its water flows south past the Akosombo Dam through the Volta River and out into the Atlantic Ocean. The capital and most-populated city in Ghana is Accra. There are over 2 million residents in Accra's metropolitan area. Other cities include Ashiaman, Kumasi, Takoradi, and Tamale. The currency is the Ghanian Cedi, and its ISO 4217 currency code is GHS.
GAMBIA is a relatively tiny, horizontally-skinny country located in West Africa. Senegal is the only bordering country, surrounding Gambia on three sides. The western coast of Gambia borders the Atlantic Ocean. The capital city is Banjul, which is not the most-populated city. While Banjul's metropolitan area exceeds 300,000 residents, the city limits has a population of about 34,500. Serre Kunda boasts over 300,000 residents, followed by Brikama (~78,000) and Bakau (~43,000). Gambia's currency is the Gambian Dalasi, and its ISO 4217 currency code is GMD.
GABON is a country along the equator in West Central Africa, below the Bight of Biafra. There are 3 bordering countries: Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Republic of the Congo. The capital is Libreville. The currency is the Central African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XAF.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA is located in West Africa; it is located barely above the Equator, hence its name. This country is also east of the Atlantic Ocean. There are 2 bordering countries: Cameroon to the north and Gabon to the south and east. The capital is Malabo, which lies on Bioko island. The currency is the Central African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XAF.
COTE D'IVOIRE (Ivory Coast) is a French-speaking country located in West Africa. There are 5 bordering countries: Burkina Faso to the north, Ghana to the east, Guinea to the west, Liberia to the west, and Mali to the north. The capital is Yamoussoukro, while the most-populated city and unofficial economic capital is Abidjan. The currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
Achieving independence from France on Monday, August 15th, 1960, REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO is a French-speaking country located in Western Africa. There are 5 bordering countries: Angola (the small exclave of Cabinda), Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo (a much larger country), and Gabon. The country's southwestern area borders the Atlantic Ocean. Located along the Congo River, the capital is Brazzaville. Other cities include Djambala, Gamboma, Kayes, Loubomo, Madingou, Ouesso, Owando, and Pointe-Noire. The currency is the Central African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XAF.
Officially known as the Republic of Cabo Verde, CABO VERDE (Cape Verde) is a group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean in Western Africa. The archipelago is located about 400 miles west of Senegal. Since December 2013, the official name of the country is now known as Cabo Verde, the Portuguese spelling. The former official name was Cape Verde, the English spelling. This for-government-purposes name change reflects the fact that Portuguese is Cabo Verde's official language. Cabo Verde's currency is the Cabo Verdean Escudo, and its ISO 4217 currency code is CVE. Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal on July 5th, 1975.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● According to Encyclopædia Britannica, Cabo Verde’s population in the year 2020 was about 557,400 and was ranked 174th among populations of the whole world’s countries, dependencies, and territories. The country's capital, located on the southern coast of Santiago island, is Praia. Based on previous years' data, GeoFact of the Day Blog estimates Praia's 2016 population to be almost 135,000. Attractions and landmarks in Praia and surrounding areas include the Archaeology Museum, Farol de D. Maria Pia lighthouse on Ponta (Point) Termosa, Mercado de Sucupira street market, Praca Alexandre Albuquerque town square, Prainha Beach, Presidential Palace (Palácio Presidencial), and Quebra Canela Beach. Other cities and towns in Cabo Verde include Igreja, Mindelo, Nova Sintra, Pedra Badejo, Santa Maria, São Filipe, and Tarrafal. About three-fifths of residents live in a city or other urbanized setting.
In addition to Portuguese, a Cabo Verdean Creole language known as Kabuverdianu is widely used for communication. About 500,000 Cabo Verdean citizens (2016 estimate) and a total of about 875,000 people around the world can communicate in Kabuverdianu. Split into the Barlavento (northern islands) and Sotavento (southern islands) dialects, Kabuverdianu is a statutory language of national identity according to the nation's Constitution. Most Cabo Verdean natives are multiracial, often descended from a mix of Caucasian, African, and/or Arab ancestors. Over 90% of Cabo Verdeans identify as Christians (mostly Roman Catholic), and about 3% are Muslims. Cabo Verdeans also believe in indigenous beliefs, the Bahá'í Faith, Judaism, and other minority religions.
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● Major islands include Santiago (largest), Boa Vista, Fogo, Maio, Sal, Santo Antão, and São Vicente. Some small islands and islets — including Ilhéu Branco, Ilhéu de Cima, Ilhéu Grande, Ilhéu Raso, and Santa Luzia — are not inhabited by people. Cabo Verde's highest point is Pico do Fogo ("Fire Peak"), an active stratovolcano towering over the northeastern portion of Fogo island. Most of Cabo Verde's lakes are filled with little to no water, hence they are salt lakes. One salt lake with a reasonable amount of water sits in the Pedra de Lume ("Stone of Fire") crater, located on Sal island (northeastern area). The country lacks major rivers, existing rivers have relatively little water, and some rivers and streams have wide river beds — such as the central river on Boa Vista island.
This post was updated with more information on October 11th, 2016.
Officially known as the République du Cameroun in French, CAMEROON is a French-speaking country located in Western Africa. Cameroon is home to over 24 million residents in 2017. There are 6 bordering countries: Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, and the Republic of the Congo. The capital is Yaoundé. Cameroon features a diverse climate, varying from a semiarid north to the tropical coastal and southern regions. The currency is the Central African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XAF. Some of the country’s exports for global trade ↗ include aluminum, bauxite, cassava (manioc), cocoa beans, coffee, cotton, crude oil and petroleum products, grain, iron ore, lumber, oilseeds, okra, rubber, and textiles. Principal crops grown in Cameroon include bananas, cocoa, coffee, cotton, oilseed, root starches, and various types of grain.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● According to Encyclopædia Britannica, Cameroon’s population in the year 2020 is about 24,918,000 and is ranked 56th among populations of the whole world’s countries, dependencies, and territories. Highlighted and labeled on the map below, Cameroon’s major cities include Bafoussam, Bamenda, Bertoua, Douala, Ebolowa, Edea, Garoua, Kousséri, Kumba, Loum, Maroua, Meiganga, Mokolo, Ngaoundéré, Nkongsamba, Yagoua, and Yaoundé (national capital). While major cities are labeled on the major cities map, smaller communities with population data are displayed on this map with light orange dots. For example, Ekundukundu — located beside the border with Nigeria in southwestern Cameroon — had only 221 residents in the year 2005.
Notable places and sites of interest all across the country include the Adamawa Plateau in central Cameroon near the towns of Belel and Martap; Chutes de la Lobé waterfalls in the southwest near Akom (on map) and Kribi (not on map); la Dent de Mindif (Mindif Tooth) rocky peak near the communities of Gadjia, Maroua, and Mindif; Espace Doual'art art gallery in Douala; Marché Central (Central Market) and Musée National (National Museum) in Yaoundé; Palais Royal (Royal Palace) in Foumban; and several beaches along the Atlantic coast. Two Cameroonian places of environmental importance are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Dja Faunal Reserve and Sangha Trinational conservation preserve.
As of 2023, over 250 languages belonging to 24 language groups are used for communication in Cameroon. English and French are Cameroon’s official languages. Other languages include but are definitely not limited to Aghem, Akoose, Ambele, Bafia, Bafut, Bakaka, Bakoko, Bamum, Bassa, Bulu, Chadian Arabic, Duala, Eton, Ewondo, Fe’fe’, Fulfulde, Ghomala, Kako, Kom, Mafa, Medumba, Meta’, Ngiemboon, Nso’, Oroko, Psikye, Toupouri, Usaghade, Wandala, Wushi, Yamba, Yemba, and Zulgo-Gemzek. People and ethnic groups of Cameroon include East Nigritic, the Equatorial Bantu, Fulani, Highlanders, Kirdi, and Northwest Bantu. About 57% of Cameroonian citizens are believers in Christianity, followed by animist and ethnic beliefs (23%), Islam (20%), and Bahá’í (0.42%).
● ● ● ● ● Land and Water Features ● ● ● ● ●
Cameroon’s topography is as varied as its climate. Southern Cameroon features a low coastal plain; central Cameroon is predominantly plateaus; northern Cameroon’s grasslands give way to marshes around Lake Chad, an important and struggling lake located at the tippy top of Cameroon; and western Cameroon is dominated by forested mountains. Cameroon’s highest point, Fako, stands with an elevation of 13,435 feet and 4,095 meters and is located on a volcano, Mount Cameroon. Some resources list the peak elevation as 13,451 feet and 4,100 meters. Nicknamed the “mountain of greatness,” Mt. Cameroon is geographically located in southwestern Cameroon and immediately northwest of Buéa, a city between Boa and Douala. Mount Oku (3,011 meters) is another major peak; it is found in the Bamenda Mountains near the town of Mbem by southeast Nigeria. Prominent peaks in the Mandara Mountains of extreme northern Cameroon include Rhumsiki Peak (1,224 meters) near the towns of Gawar and the namesake Rhumsiki, while Tourou Peak (1,442 meters) is geographically situated near the town of Mora.
Cameroon has over 400 kilometers and 250 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. Coastal areas near Nigeria in extreme western Cameroon contain dozens of islands — named and unnamed, habited and uninhabited. Akwabana, Douala Edea, Ewuru, Fiari, Inikoi, Masonjo, Mboza Bombe, Miandjou, and Moukouke are some of the named islands. Various rivers and tributaries throughout Cameroon include the Bek, Bénoué, Boumba, Dja, Faro, Lobé, Logone, Mbam, Ngoko, Ntem, Nyong, Sanaga, and Wouri. The Bakassi and Erong peninsulas are located in the islands’ vicinity. The picturesque Memve’ele Waterfalls are located immediately north of Equatorial Guinea and east of the town of Campo in southwestern Cameroon. Lake Chad is not the only lake within the borders of Cameroon. Other notable lakes include Bamendjing, Lagdo, Mbakaou, and Nyos. The following are national parks and reserves located mostly near the borderlands of Cameroon: Bénoué, Bouba Ndjida, and Waza in the north; Biosphère du Dja, Boumba-Bek, and Lobéké in the southeast; Méfou (Mfou) in south-central Cameroon; Campo-Ma’an in the southwest; and Korup and Takamanda in the west.
This post was updated with more information in December 2023. GeoFact of the Day’s map of Cameroon was designed in June 2020.
● ● ● ● ● People and Places ● ● ● ● ● With about 2.27 million people (2017), the capital and most-populated city is Ouagadougou. Ouagadougou is considered a primate city in the state because of the following criteria: (1) it is the dominant financial and economic hub of Burkina Faso, and (2) there is not another city rivaling Ouagadougou's population. Other cities in Burkina Faso include Banfora, Bobo Dioulasso, Dédougou, Djibo, Fada-N'Gourma, Garango, Koudougou, Ouahigouya, Pouytenga, Tenkodogo, and Zorgo. Attractions and sites of interest throughout Burkina Faso include the Banfora Falls (Les Cascades de Banfora), Bobo Dioulasso Grand Mosque, Laongo Sculpture Symposium (Ouagadougou), Mare aux Hippopotames (Lake of Hippopotamuses) in Bobo Dioulasso, Nazinga Reserve, Ruins of Loropéni (blog post ↗), and Sindou Peaks (Les Pics de Sindou) in Banfora.
While French is Burkina Faso's only official language used for government purposes, about 70 total languages are spoken throughout the state. According to Ethnologue (↗), the three recognized languages of national identity are Fulfulde (over 1,1870,000 people in B.F.), Jula (over 3,600,000), and Mòoré (over 6,400,000 Mossi people). Other major (and minor) languages and their respective ethnic groups/tribes — populations of communicators are listed in parentheses — include Birifor (110,000), Bisa (400,000), Buamu (270,000), Hausa (500), Koromfé (200,000), Lobi (220,000), Lyélé (215,000), Marka (140,000), Ninkare (25,000), Northern Dagara (250,000), Southern Bobo Madaré (185,000), Téén (2,000), and Zarma (600). About half the population believes in the tenets of Islam, followed by animist ethnic religions (30%), Christianity (almost 20%), and Bahá'í (0.03%). The Burkinabé people (people of Burkina Faso) use the West African CFA Franc (ISO 4217 currency code: XOF) as their currency.
● ● ● ● ● Land Features ● ● ● ● ● The generally flat country sits on a vast plateau and mostly includes grassy savanna land. With an area of about 16,000 km², Sahel Reserve is the country's largest park and the major protector of savanna habitat — the type of ecosystem suitable for large mammals and migratory birds. Three major north-south rivers — Black Volta (Mouhoun), Red Volta (Nazinon), and White Volta (Nakambé) from west to east — cut through the plateau's lateritic iron rock. The continuous savanna landscape transitions into here-and-there forests in southern Burkina Faso, especially south of Bobo Dioulasso city. Protected forestland and other areas of savanna land include the Arli National Park, Deux Bale Forest, Forest of the Mou, Kaboré Tambi National Park, Nakambé Forest, Singou Reserve, Sissili Forest, and W National Park. The transnational W National Park is named after the Niger River's W-shaped meander, located in southwestern Niger.
The lakes of Burkina Faso are certainly not as large as Lake Tanganyika, Lake Victoria, etc. However, several substantial lakes provide crucial water to people and animals. Burkinabé lakes include Bam, Dem, Higa, Kompienga, Oursi, and Tengrela. The country's first dam was constructed in the late 1980s on the southeast end of Lake Kompienga. Located along the Koulpeleogo (Koul Péolgo) river, the Kompienga Dam can generate up to 14 electrical megawatts (MWe) of energy for Ouagadougou and surrounding communities. Generating up to 16 megawatts of electricity, Bagré Dam was completed in the 1990s and later expanded to create a 7,000,000,000 m³ reservoir along the White Volta river. Finally, Burkina Faso's highest point is Mount Tena Kourou (Tenakourou). In the Cascades region of southwestern Burkina Faso near Mali, Tena Kourou stands 749 meters and 2,457 feet tall in elevation.
This post was updated with more information on April 14th, 2017.
The map of Burkina Faso was added on June 13th, 2017.
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SIERRA LEONE is a circular nation located in Western Africa. There are 2 bordering countries: Guinea to the north and Liberia to the southeast. The capital and most-populated city is Freetown. Other cities include Bauya, Bo, Kenema, Lunsar, Makeni, Pendembu, and Serekolia. The currency is the Sierra Leonean Leone, and its ISO 4217 currency code was SLL. In 2022, a new currency code of SLE was established in 2022 to denote a revamped currency in hopes of combating inflation and reducing the number of 0s on coins and banknotes.
Officially known as the République du Sénégal in French and Republic of Senegal in English, SENEGAL is a predominantly French-speaking country located in West Africa. There are 5 bordering countries: Gambia (surrounded by Senegal on three sides), Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and Mauritania. The capital is Dakar, a city with over a million residents. Other cities and communities include Diourbel, Kaolack, Kédougou, Kolda, Linguère, Louga, Ndioum, Pikine, Saint-Louis, Tambacounda, Thiès, and Ziguinchor. Senegal's currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
With a population hovering around 177 million (2017 GeoFact of the Day Blog estimate), NIGERIA is Africa's most-populated country and is particularly situated in West Africa. There are four bordering countries: Benin to the west, Cameroon to the east and southeast, Chad to the northeast, and Niger to the north. Nigeria also borders the Gulf of Guinea and the Bight of Benin water bodies in the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Abuja, while Lagos boasts the title of being the most-populated city in Nigeria and one of the largest in Africa. Other cities include Ibadan, Ife, Jos, Lafia, Maiduguri, Ogbomosho, Onitsha, and Port Harcourt. The currency is the Nigerian Naira, and its ISO 4217 currency code is NGN.
Officially known as the Republic of Niger (French: République du Niger), NIGER is a landlocked, mostly arid country situated in northwestern Africa and named after the 4,180 kilometer (2,597 mile) long Niger River. There are 7 bordering countries: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali, and Nigeria. The capital and most-populated city is Niamey. Other communities include Agadéz, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéri, and Zinder. The currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
Known as موريتانيا in the Arabic language, Mauritanie in French, and Muritanya in Berber, MAURITANIA is a large country situated in Western Africa. There are 4 bordering countries: Algeria, Mali, Senegal, and Western Sahara (considered a territory). The capital is Nouakchott! The 2nd largest city, Nouâdhibou, is situated on a peninsula east of the Atlantic Ocean. The currency is the Mauritanian Ouguiya, and its ISO 4217 currency code is MRO.
MALI is a large country situated in Western Africa. There are 7 bordering countries: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal. Mali was part of 3 major empires in Africa. The capital is Bamako. The currency is the West African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XOF.
Established in the 1800s by freed slaves from the United States of America, LIBERIA is an English-speaking country located in Western Africa. The American Colonization Society helped freed slaves move to what is now Liberia. In 1847, the residents declared independence from the colonizing organization, achieving independence before any colonized country of Africa (Ethiopia was never colonized). There are 3 bordering countries: Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone. The capital and most-populated city is Monrovia. Christianity is the country's main religion. The currency is the Liberian Dollar, and its ISO 4217 currency code is LRD.
GUINEA is a French-speaking country located in Western Africa. The western part of the country borders the Atlantic Ocean. There are 6 bordering countries: Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone. The capital is Conakry, which is located on Tombo Island and on a nearby peninsula called the Kaloum Peninsula - the hyperlink to this GeoFact of the Day Blog post opens in new tab or window. The currency is the Guinean Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is GNF.
GAMBIA is a relatively tiny, horizontally-skinny country located in West Africa. Senegal is the only bordering country, surrounding Gambia on three sides. The western coast of Gambia borders the Atlantic Ocean. The capital city is Banjul, which is not the most-populated city. While Banjul's metropolitan area exceeds 300,000 residents, the city limits has a population of about 34,500. Serre Kunda boasts over 300,000 residents, followed by Brikama (~78,000) and Bakau (~43,000). Gambia's currency is the Gambian Dalasi, and its ISO 4217 currency code is GMD.
GABON is a country along the equator in West Central Africa, below the Bight of Biafra. There are 3 bordering countries: Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Republic of the Congo. The capital is Libreville. The currency is the Central African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XAF.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA is located in West Africa; it is located barely above the Equator, hence its name. This country is also east of the Atlantic Ocean. There are 2 bordering countries: Cameroon to the north and Gabon to the south and east. The capital is Malabo, which lies on Bioko island. The currency is the Central African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XAF.
Achieving independence from France on Monday, August 15th, 1960, REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO is a French-speaking country located in Western Africa. There are 5 bordering countries: Angola (the small exclave of Cabinda), Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo (a much larger country), and Gabon. The country's southwestern area borders the Atlantic Ocean. Located along the Congo River, the capital is Brazzaville. Other cities include Djambala, Gamboma, Kayes, Loubomo, Madingou, Ouesso, Owando, and Pointe-Noire. The currency is the Central African Franc, and its ISO 4217 currency code is XAF.
