Dialing code +241
ISO 2 code GA
ISO 3 code GAB
Capital Libreville
Main Language French
Currency Franc (XAF)
GDP $21.4 billion 116th
Population 1,545,255 151st

Geography

Continent Africa
Location Western Africa bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Land 267,667 km2 76th
Terrain Narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
Climate Tropical; always hot humid
Natural Hazards Narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
Note: A small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity

Neighbouring Countries

Cameroon Equatorial Guinea Republic of the Congo

History

Until recently only two autocratic presidents had ruled Gabon since its independence from France in 1960. The recent president of Gabon El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba -one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - had dominated the country's political scene for four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the presidential elections in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. President BONGO died in June 2009 and was replaced in accordance with the constitution by Rose Francine ROGOMBE the president of the Senate. New elections are planned for the summer of 2009. This will be the first Gabonese elections in which BONGO is not participating. Despite political conditions a small population abundant natural resources and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous and stable African countries.
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Demographics

Life Expectancy 53.11 years 180th
Median Age 18.6 years 178th
Birth Rate 35.57 births/1,000 population 32nd
Death Rate 12.76 births/1,000 population 32nd
Sex Ratio 0.72 male(s)/female 139th
Literacy 63.2% 171st
Population

1.5 million

Transportation

Roadways 9170 km 137th
Railways 814 km 99th
Airports 39 105th
Waterways 1600 km 50th
Heliports None
Airports paved 1 138th

Economy

Currency Franc (XAF)
GDP $21.4 billion 116th
GDP per capita (PPP) $14400 71st