Key Facts about Gabon

About Gabon:

• The Republic of Gabon is located at the Equator in West-Central Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean.
• Bordering countries: It is bordered by Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon to the north and the Republic of the Congo to the east and south.
• A former French colony, Gabon retains strong ties to France and to the French language and culture.
• Independence: Gabon gained independence from France on August 17, 1960.
• Government: It is a presidential republic where the president is both the head of state and the head of government of the country. 
• Capital: Libreville
• Language: Spoken languages are French (official) and a variety of Bantu languages.
• Currency: The currency of Gabon is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), a currency used by five other African nations.
• Religion:
  • A large majority of Gabon’s population is Christian.
  • A small segment of the country’s population is Muslim. 
  • Adherents of traditional religions also account for a small segment of the population.
• Climate: It has an equatorial climate, with year-round high temperatures and humidity.
• Gabon's largest river is the Ogooué. 
• About three-fourths of the country is covered by a dense equatorial rainforest containing more than 3,000 species of vegetation.
• It is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).