Malabo, << mah LAH boh, >> is the capital of Equatorial Guinea and an important seaport. It lies on Bioko, an island in the Gulf of Guinea. Most of the people belong to the Bubi, Fernandino, or Fang ethnic groups. The city has a population of about 140,000. Most people work for import-export companies. An airport lies near Malabo.
British businessmen and colonists founded the city in 1827. The British called it Clarencetown or Port Clarence. Spain took control of the city in 1844 and named it Santa Isabel. Malabo received its present name in 1973 after Equatorial Guinea had gained independence from Spain.
