Gabon is a country located on the west 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.
Gabon has an area of 267,667 square kilometers (103,347 square miles) and a population of about 2.2 million people.
The capital city of Gabon is Libreville, which is also the largest city in the country. Other major cities include Port-Gentil, Franceville, and Oyem.
The official language of Gabon is French, but there are over 40 indigenous languages spoken in the country.
The most common of these are Fang, Myene, and Nzebi. Gabon is a relatively wealthy country, with a GDP per capita of $12,100 (PPP).
Their economy is based on oil, timber, and manganese. Gabon is home to the world's largest known deposit of manganese.
Apart from oil and manganese, Gabon has other mineral resources like gold, diamond, and uranium, although these have been less extensively exploited than oil.
Gabon is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including gorillas, chimpanzees, elephants, and lions. The country has 13 national parks and reserves, which protect over 10% of its land area.
Gabon is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).
Gabon is one of the most forested countries in Africa, with over 88% of its land area covered in rainforest.
It is a popular tourist destination, with stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and unique wildlife. It is known that the first humans to inhabit Gabon arrived over 400,000 years ago.
The country was first explored by Europeans in the 15th century. The famous archaeological site of Lopé-Okanda in Gabon has provided valuable insights into human evolution.
It contains evidence of early hominid activity dating back millions of years. Gabon was colonized by France in the 19th century but gained its independence from France in 1960.
Omar Bongo ruled Gabon as president for over 40 years, from 1967 to 2009. Ali Bongo Ondimba, the son of Omar Bongo, has been president of Gabon since 2009.
Gabon is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Since independence, Gabon has experienced 3 coup attempts with being successful.
Ali Bongo is the first president and the only president to be overthrown in a coup d'etat.
The equator passes through Gabon, making it one of only two countries in Africa to be bisected by the line.
The country's national parks are home to over 1,000 species of birds, including the rare black parrot. One of the most famous parks is Loango National Park.
The official currency of Gabon is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), which is also used by several other countries in Central Africa.
The official name of the country is the Gabonese Republic. The people of Gabon are known as Gabonese.
The predominant religion in Gabon is Christianity, with a significant portion of the population adhering to Catholicism and various Protestant denominations.
Traditional indigenous beliefs are also practiced in some regions. The cuisine of Gabon often includes a combination of local ingredients such as plantains, cassava, rice, and fish. The national dish, "Poulet Nyembwe," is a chicken stew cooked with palm oil and served with plantains. Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Gabon.
The national football team is known as "Les Panthères" (The Panthers), and the country co-hosted the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 2012.
Popular footballer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is from Gabon. The Omar Bongo University, located in Libreville, is one of the prominent institutions for higher education in Gabon.
The flag of Gabon consists of three horizontal stripes—green at the top, followed by yellow, and then blue.
The green symbolizes the country's forests, the yellow represents the sun, and the blue represents the sea. Gabon celebrates its Independence Day on August 17th with various cultural events, parades, and festivities across the country.
Gabon's national emblem features two panthers supporting a shield with a ship, palm tree, and waves.
Gabon established its space agency, the Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observation (AGEOS), to develop its capabilities in space technology and satellite communications.
Gabon's rainforests are home to a wide variety of plant life, including over 5,000 species of trees.
The country's coastline is home to several coral reefs, which are home to a variety of marine life.
Gabon is a popular destination for birdwatching, with over 650 species of birds recorded in the country.
The country is also home to several waterfalls, including the N'Gounie Falls, which are the tallest waterfalls in Gabon.
Gabon is a relatively peaceful country, with a low crime rate. The country has not experienced a civil war since its independence in 1960.
The country has a strong military and police force, which helps to maintain law and order.
Gabon has a relatively high literacy rate of 87%. The life expectancy in Gabon is 65 years.