Gabon

Gabon, officially the Gabonese Republic, is a country on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa. It is bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, the Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and the Gulf of Guinea to the west. The country covers an area of 270,000 square kilometres and has about 2.3 million people.

The landscape of Gabon includes coastal plains, mountains such as the Cristal Mountains and Chaillu Massif, and a savanna in the east. Libreville is the capital and largest city. The original inhabitants of Gabon were the Bambenga, and later Bantu migrants settled there. The Kingdom of Orungu was established around 1700, and France colonised the region in the late 19th century. Gabon gained independence from France in 1960.

Today, Gabon is a developing country with a relatively high standard of living compared to other African nations, because of its oil wealth. Despite this, there is also significant poverty. The official language is French, and most people practice Christianity. Gabon holds a strong economic position in Sub-Saharan Africa, with one of the highest Human Development Index and GDP per capita rankings on the continent.

Etymology

The name "Gabon" comes from a Portuguese word "gabao," which means "hooded cloak." Long ago, Portuguese sailors saw the Komo River and thought it looked like a cloak. That's how the country got its name.

History

Main articles: History of Gabon and French Equatorial Africa

Gabon has a rich history shaped by many influences. Before colonisation, the area was home to various groups, including the Bambenga. By the 18th century, the Kingdom of Orungu had formed as a trading centre.

In the late 19th century, French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza led missions to the region, founding towns like Franceville. Gabon became a territory of French Equatorial Africa in 1910 and gained full independence in 1960. The country's political landscape saw changes over the decades.

In August 2023, military officers took power in a coup. General Brice Oligui Nguema became the transitional leader and was later elected president in 2025 after a new constitution was approved.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Gabon

Gabon is a presidential republic. The president is elected for seven years and has important powers. This includes choosing the prime minister and judges. Gabon has two parts in its government: a National Assembly and a Senate. The National Assembly has 120 members elected for five years. The Senate has 102 members elected for six years.

In 1990, Gabon changed its government to include rights for everyone and allowed other parties. In 2009, work started to make the government better and less corrupt. In 2023, there was a change in leadership when the military took control.

Foreign relations

Further information: Foreign relations of Gabon

Gabon does not strongly support any one side and helps keep peace in Africa. It belongs to many groups, such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the African Union. Gabon joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 2022.

Military

Further information: Armed Forces of Gabon

Gabon has a military with about 5,000 people. This includes an army, navy, air force, gendarmerie, and police. A special guard protects the president.

Administrative divisions

Main article: Subdivisions of Gabon

Gabon is divided into 9 areas called provinces. Each province is split into smaller parts called departments. The president chooses leaders for each province, department, and smaller area.

The provinces are (capitals in parentheses):

1. Estuaire (Libreville)
2. Haut-Ogooué (Franceville)
3. Moyen-Ogooué (Lambaréné)
4. Ngounié (Mouila)
5. Nyanga (Tchibanga)
6. Ogooué-Ivindo (Makokou)
7. Ogooué-Lolo (Koulamoutou)
8. Ogooué-Maritime (Port-Gentil)
9. Woleu-Ntem (Oyem)

Geography

Main articles: Geography of Gabon and Geology of Gabon

Gabon is a country on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa. It sits right on the equator. The land has coastal plains, mountains like the Cristal Mountains and Chaillu Massif, and a savanna in the east. Most of Gabon is covered in rainforests. About 89% of the land is forested.

Gabon is home to many animals and plants. It has many birds, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Some special animals are the Gabon pangolin and the grey-necked rockfowl. The country also has chimpanzees, gorillas, and African forest elephants. The wildlife sometimes faces threats from poaching and loss of forest areas.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Gabon

Gabon's economy relies a lot on oil. Oil is a big part of the country's money, things it sells to other countries, and its wealth. Oil production has gone down since 1997, and some experts think Gabon's oil might run out by 2025. Besides oil, Gabon also earns money from cutting trees and mining manganese, which is used to make steel and batteries. But many people in Gabon are poor, and the country needs to grow other industries.

Main article: Energy in Gabon

Most of Gabon’s energy comes from plants and waste, with some also coming from oil. About half of the country’s power is from clean energy, but many places in the countryside don’t have electricity. Gabon wants to bring electricity to more areas in the future. The country also tries to stay carbon-neutral and grow its renewable energy work.

Gabon is the world’s second-largest producer of manganese. In 2023, selling manganese made up 16% of what Gabon sells to other countries. Starting in 2029, Gabon plans to stop selling raw manganese. This is to help create jobs and make more money from its natural resources by processing it locally.

Transport

Main article: Transport in Gabon

Gabon has many ways to travel, such as roads, railways, and ports. The country has a big railway called the Trans-Gabon Railway. It helps people and goods move across different areas. There are also roads for cars and buses, though some can be hard to travel on because of the land. Near the coast, boats and ships are important. They connect Gabon to other countries and places along the Atlantic Ocean.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Gabon

Gabon has about 2.3 million people. It has a lot of space and a good way of living. The country has many groups of people, like the Fang, Myènè, Punu-Échira, and Nzebi-Adouma. There are also indigenous Pygmy peoples, such as the Bongo and Baka. Over 10,000 native French people live in Gabon.

French is the main language, and most people speak it. Many also speak their own languages. Most people practice Christianity, with some following Islam or traditional beliefs. The country has many hospitals and health centers, and most people can get healthcare. Children must go to school from ages 6 to 16, and there are many schools and universities.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Gabon

Gabon has a rich culture with many traditions. Storytellers, called "raconteurs," keep traditions alive. Masks are important in ceremonies for events like marriages, births, and funerals. These masks are made from local wood and other materials.

Music in Gabon includes many styles, both traditional and modern. People enjoy popular music from other countries and local genres like rumba, makossa, and soukous. Traditional instruments include the obala, the ngombi, the balafon, and drums.

Further information: Music of Gabon

Further information: Media of Gabon

The Gabon national football team has been playing since 1962. The team has hosted major tournaments. Gabon also has a national basketball team and takes part in international sporting events.

The country is known for its fishing, especially for Atlantic tarpon, and hosts an annual bicycle race called La Tropicale Amissa Bongo.