A small country on the west coast of central Africa, Equatorial Guinea comprises the mainland territory of Río Muni (where most people live) and five volcanic islands. The largest island is Bioko on which the country's capital, Malabo, is located. After independence from Spain in 1968, Equatorial Guinea fell under the rule of Francisco Macías Nguema, who plunged the nation into ruin. He was overthrown and executed in 1979 by his nephew. President Obiang Nguema continues the family dictatorship, and there is widespread civil unrest over flawed elections. New oil wealth masks stagnation in the rest of the economy and widespread poverty.