Gabon is a Central African country on the Atlantic coast, straddling the equator and bordered by Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and the Republic of the Congo. It is known for its exceptional biodiversity, with dense rainforests covering most of the country and a network of national parks protecting wildlife such as forest elephants and gorillas. Gabon is also a significant oil producer, which has made it one of the more prosperous nations in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Capital
- Libreville
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- Middle Africa
- Area
- 267,668 km²
- Coordinates
- 1° S, 11.75° E
Country facts
- About 85 percent of Gabon is covered by tropical rainforest, making it one of the most forested countries in the world.
- Gabon is home to roughly half of the world's remaining forest elephant population.
- The country established 13 national parks in 2002, protecting around 11 percent of its land area.
- French is the official language, a legacy of Gabon's status as a former French colony that gained independence in 1960.
- Gabon is one of the few countries in the world where the rainforest meets the ocean, creating rare coastal forest ecosystems.
Capital facts
- Libreville was founded in 1849 by freed enslaved people, and its name means 'free town' in French.
- The city sits on the Komo River estuary where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, giving it a scenic waterfront setting.
- Libreville is home to the Presidential Palace, a prominent landmark that overlooks the bay.
- The Peyristère Church, built in 1881, is one of the oldest churches in Gabon and a notable historic site in the city.
- Libreville serves as the country's main economic and cultural hub, housing the majority of Gabon's universities and government institutions.