The term 'Equatorial Republic' refers to a nation located on or near the equator. The most well-known example of an Equatorial Republic is the Democratic Republic of the CONGO, which is often referred to simply as the CONGO. The CONGO is a Central African nation with a population of over 80 million people. It is bordered by nine other countries and is the second largest country in Africa. The CONGO is home to a wide variety of cultures, languages, and religions, making it one of the most diverse nations in the world.