World Country Guide

General Information

Area
267,667 sq km (103,347 sq miles).

Population
1,329,000 (official estimate 2003).

Population Density
5 per sq km.

Capital
Libreville. Population: 573,000 (official estimate 2003).

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.

Government
Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. Head of State: President El Hadj Omar Bongo since 1967. Head of Government: Prime Minister Jean Franois Ntoutoume Emane since 1999.

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.

Religion
About 60 per cent Christian (mainly Roman Catholic), the remainder follow Muslim and animist beliefs.

Time
GMT + 1.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Communications

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 241. No area codes required. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900. Network operators include Celtel (website: www.msi-cellular.com), Libertis and Telecel Gabon (website: www.telecel.co.ga).

Internet
ISPs include Internetgabon (website: www.internetgabon.com). There is a growing number of Internet cafes in Libreville.

Post
Airmail from Gabon takes at least one week to Western Europe. Urgent letters should be sent by special delivery to ensure their safe arrival. Post office hours: 0800-1200 and Mon-Fri 1430-1800.

Press
The two daily newspapers are Gabon Matin and L’Union, published in French. There are several periodicals, published mainly on the topics of the Government and the economy. Official bulletins are published in French and have a limited circulation.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.