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Area: 267,667 sq km (103,347 sq miles).
Population: 1,206,000 (official estimate 2000).
Population Density: 4.5 per sq km.
Capital: Libreville.
Population: 500,000
Time: GMT + 1.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
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Geography
Gabon is bordered to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the north by Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, and to the east and south by the Congo. The 800km- (500 mile-) long sandy coastal strip is a series of palm-fringed bays, lagoons and estuaries. The lush tropical vegetation (which covers about 82 per cent of the interior) gives way in parts to the savannah. There are many rivers and they remain the main communication routes along which settlements have grown. Of the 40 or so Bantu tribes, the largest are the Fang, Eshira, Mbele and Okande. Only a small percentage of native Gabonese live in the towns, as the population is concentrated in the coastal areas and the villages along the banks of the many rivers, following a more traditional rural style of life. |
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Climate
Gabon has the moist, hot climate typical of tropical regions. From June to September, there is virtually no rain but high humidity; there is occasional rain in December and January. During the remaining months rainfall is heavy. The excessive rainfall is caused by the condensation of moist air as a result of the meeting of the cold South Polar Current and the warm Guinea Current directly off the coast. At Libreville, the capital, the average annual rainfall is more than 100 inches. Further north on the coast, it is 150 inches. The temperature varies only slightly throughout the year, maintaining a daily average of 26.6°C (80°F). |
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Politics
Government: Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State: President El Hadj Omar Bongo since 1967. Head of Government: Prime Minister Jean François Ntoutoume Emane since 1999. |
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Language
The official language is French. The principal African language is Fang. Eshira is spoken by a tenth of the population. Bantu dialects spoken include Bapounou, Miene and Bateke. |
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Religion
About 60 per cent Christian (mainly Roman Catholic), the remainder follow Muslim and Animist religions. |
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Communications
Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 241. No area codes required. Outgoing international code: 00. Mobile telephone: GSM 900. Network operators include Telecel Gabon, Celtel (website: www.msi-cellular.com) and Libertis. |
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Internet
ISPs include Internetgabon (website: www.internetgabon.com). There is a growing number of Internet cafes in Libreville. |
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Post
Airmail from Gabon takes at least a week to Western Europe. Urgent letters should be sent by special delivery to ensure their safe arrival. Post office opening hours are 0800-1200 and Mon-Fri 1430-1800. |
