last edited Dec 11, 2019
Introduction to Gabon
Location Map of Gabon
Gabon
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Quick Overview
Located in Central Africa and straddling the equator, Gabon is a former French colony.
Key Facts
- Type of place: country.
- Location: in Central Africa, just below Cameroon, and straddling the equator.
- Latitude/longitude: 0°23' N, 9°24' E
- Local time:
- Capital: Libreville.
- Nature of the state: dominant-party presidential system.
- Official language: French.
- Currency: CFA franc.
- Population: 2,119,036 inhabitants (2018).
- Area: 267,667 km².
- Density: 8 inhabitants/km².
- Highest point: Mont Milondo (1,020 m).
- Lowest point: sea level.
- Coastline: 885 km².
- Driving: on the right.
Tourism
Not typically associated with a tourist image, this country, covered 80% by forests and rich in resources whose benefits few enjoy, will delight above all nature and adventure lovers with its many parks and reserves, some of which still shelter gorilla populations. That said, the country sees little tourism, with fewer than 200,000 entries each year (75% of which are business travelers), and local infrastructure is similarly limited.
Travel Essentials
- Destination:
- By air: France-Libreville.
- Entry requirements: passport + visa + yellow fever vaccination.
- Currency to bring: euros.
- Exchange rate:
- Daily "backpacker" budget:
- Best for accommodation:
- Best for getting around:
- Risks:
- Best time for climate/crowds/prices:
- Interests (out of ): Nature ; Adventure ; Culture ; Relaxation/holidays /
Useful Addresses
Socio-Economic Statistics
- "Quality of life": 110/188 (2018 ranking)
- GDP per capita: $18,100 (2017)
- Average monthly income: ()
- Inflation: +2.7% (2017)
- "Official" unemployment: 28% (2015)
- Population below poverty line: 34.3% (2015)
- Life expectancy: 68 years (2018)
- Migration rate per 1,000 inhabitants: -2 (2017)
- Population growth: +2.73% (2018)
- Literacy rate: 83.2% (2015)
- Urban population: 89.4% (2018)
- Press freedom: 108/180 (2018 ranking)
- Political regime: authoritarian regime (124/167 in 2018)
Sources: World Bank, Human Development Indicators, RSF, The Economist, The World Factbook