Small, oil-rich West African country ruled by Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, its long-time dictator. The capital is Malabo. Obiang holds the record as the longest-serving leader in the world, barring monarchs, with more than 46 years in power. The country has a cosy relationship with China and Russia.
As of 2004, more than half the population had no access to clean water and the mortality rate for newborns was nearly one in ten, despite the country being awash with petrodollars.
According to the Sunday Times, Frederick Forsyth, the British thriller writer, spent $200,000 via an intermediary to hire mercenaries to depose President Obiang's predecessor. The aim was reportedly to create a new homeland for those defeated in the Biafran war. Spanish police intercepted the group in the Canary Islands. Mr Forsyth denied the story.
A group of 69 mercenaries led by Simon Mann, mostly ex-South African Defence Force veterans, attempted to overthrow Obiang and install Severo Moto, an exile based in Spain. The plot was foiled when the team was arrested in Harare, Zimbabwe, before reaching Malabo.
Experience is what you get when you were expecting something else.