Bioko

Bioko (spelled also Bioco) is an island off the west coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea, formerly called Fernando Pó or Fernando Póo. It is part of Equatorial Guinea.

Related Topics:
Africa - Gulf of Guinea - Equatorial Guinea

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Bioko has a total area of 2,017 kilometers. It is 70 km long from N.N.E. to S.S.W. and about 32 km across. It is volcanic and very mountanous, and in this way resembles neighboring islands such as São Tomé and Príncipe.

Related Topics:
São Tomé - Príncipe

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The first European discovery of the island was made, probably in 1472, by the Portuguese navigator Fernão do Pó. It was at first named Formosa ('Beautiful'), but in 1494 was renamed for its discoverer (Fernando Pó or Fernando Póo). Unlike other islands in the area, Bioko had an indigenous (African) population. Presently still a distinct ethnic group on the island, these indigenous people, the Bubi, speak a Bantu language; the island was likely inhabited by this or other Bantu-speaking groups since before the 7th century BCE.

Related Topics:
1472 - Portuguese - Fernão do Pó - 1494 - Bubi - Bantu - 7th century BCE

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Portugal ceded to Spain Fernando Póo, Annobón and the Guinea coast (modern Equatorial Guinea) in 1778, with the Treaty of El Pardo, signed between Queen Maria II of Portugal and King Charles III of Spain, in exchange for territory in the American continent. Spain then mounted an expedition to Fernando Póo, led by the Conde de Argelejos.

Related Topics:
Portugal - Spain - Annobón - Equatorial Guinea - 1778 - El Pardo - Maria II of Portugal - Charles III of Spain - Conde de Argelejos

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From 1827 to 1843 the British leased bases at Port Clarence (modern Malabo) and San Carlos for the anti-slavery patrols.

Related Topics:
1827 - 1843 - Malabo - San Carlos - Slavery

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The island was used as a base for flights into Biafra during the Nigerian civil war.

Related Topics:
Biafra - Nigerian civil war

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Notably, Fernando Póo was a central historical nexus in Robert Anton Wilson and Robert Shea's Illuminatus! trilogy.

Related Topics:
Robert Anton Wilson - Robert Shea - ''Illuminatus!'' trilogy

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