Central Africa is the subregion of the African continent that includes countries such as Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Sao Tome and Principe. There are several synonyms for Central Africa, including equatorial Africa, mid-Africa, and heartland of Africa. The term equatorial Africa emphasizes the region's location along the equator, while mid-Africa highlights its central location on the continent. The term heartland of Africa signifies the region's importance to the continent as it is often considered the cultural epicenter of Africa due to its diverse ethnic groups and rich history.