Discover Gabon

Covered with 80% of forest, Gabon hosts an incredible flora and fauna. The country has no less than 13 national parks, including La Lopé, a World Heritage Site. With these natural reserves, Gabon is one of the most important green lungs of the planet. Wild nature lovers will be captivated by the biodiversity that the territory has to offer. Beyond its lush vegetation, Gabon has idyllic beaches with coconut palms and fine sand while being the territory of many marine mammals. Among them, the humpback whale and the dolphin participate in marine life. The economy, based mainly on hydrocarbon exploitation, has boosted the cities and contributes a lot to the country’s development. Fly to Gabon, a land that blends traditions and modernism. From the hustle and bustle of its capital to the giant tropical forests, Gabon is a popular place for eco-tourism and business travel. Discover more about this exceptional country, which will certainly win your heart !

Identity card

Hello, my name is Gabon.

Official long form: Gabonese Republic
Government type: Republic

Area: 267,667 km2
Capital: Libreville
Main cities: Libreville, Port-Gentil, Franceville
Regions: Estuary, Upper Ogooué, Middle Ogooué, Ngounie, Nyanga, Ogooué-Ivindo, Ogooué-Lolo, Ogooué Maritime and Woleu Ntem.
Official language: French
Currency: CFA franc
Population: 1.8 million (UNDP 2018)
Density: 6.7 inhab/km2
Religions: Christian (85%), Islam, Animism

Some key dates:
1471: Gabon is discovered by the Portuguese
1849: Foundation of Libreville, the capital
1886: Gabon becomes a French colony
1960: Gabon’s independence is proclaimed
1961: Léon Mba became the first president of Gabon. He remained the Head of the country until his death in 1967.

Climate and Weather

It’s nice and hot!

Gabon enjoys an equatorial climate. The weather is warm, with an average annual temperature of 26°C, and humid, with a high humidity level (85 to 100% in the rainy season). The climate is more temperate near the coast due to sea winds.

The country alternates wet and dry seasons:

  • A small dry season from mid-December to mid-February, with little rain and clear skies
  • A great rainy season from mid-February to mid-May, with very heavy rains
  • A long dry season from mid-May to mid-September, with no rain and mild temperatures
  • A small rainy season from mid-September to mid-December, with alternating sunshine and rainfall

Best period to go? Ideally, you should visit Gabon in the dry season, from June to September. You will be able to travel more easily, especially to discover national parks and reserves.

Natural Resources

Enjoy the beauty of a true, wild and fragile nature!

GEOGRAPHY
Crossed by the equator, Gabon is located in Central Africa. This country bordered by the Atlantic Ocean shares its frontiers with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the northeast and the Republic of Congo on its entire eastern and southern side.

LANDSCAPES
Gabon’s territory offers a variety of landscapes. Plains spread along the coast while savannah extends to the east and south. When you go inland, the relief changes and gives way to mountain ranges. Mount Iboundji is the highest peak in the country, with its 1575 metres high.

FOREST
Gabon is covered with 80% of forest which is composed of different areas such as mangroves, swampy and submerged forests or mountain forests. Nearly 8,000 plant species have been identified.

ANIMALS
Gabon’s fauna is particularly rich. In the plains, elephants, buffaloes and antelopes live in harmony. In the forests, vipers, pythons, porcupines, turtles, baboons, makis, toucans and parrots cohabit. Other species prefer riversides such as crocodiles and hippopotamus.

RICHNESS OF THE SOIL
Gabon has a very rich subsoil. The country has made of oil, natural gas, manganese and uranium exploitation its most important activities. Gabon also works in wood and minerals industry.

Culture

Discover traditions of Gabon

ETHNIC GROUPS
Gabon has nearly fifty ethnic groups, the pygmies is the oldest one. The several ethnic groups are spread over the territory. The biggest ones in terms of numbers are the Fang (32%), followed by the Mpongwe (15%), the Mbédé (14%), the Punu (12%)…

MASKS
Masks have an important place in the ethnic groups life. Each group has its own masks, dedicated to different ceremonies.

DANCE
Gabon’s traditional dances reflect the diversity of the ethnic groups and are closely linked to the rites, like the initiatory rite of Bwiti. Both ritual and recreational, they remind the close link between real world and sacred.

MUSIC
Gabonese music is characterized by pop and folk styles carried by artists such as Pierre-Claver Akendengue, Patience Dabany, Annie-Flore Batchiellilys, Vickos Ekondo or Oliver N’Goma.

Gastronomy

Taste some traditional food with a local beer!

In Gabon, eating habits vary according to the regions and lifestyles of their respective tribes. But the population mixing brings out dishes common to the whole country. Let’s talk about few of them:

  • Crabe Farci is a delight for Gabonese people. The crab meat is removed and mixed with chopped shrimps, tomatoes, onions, garlic and chili pepper.
  • Odika, also known as “indigenous chocolate”, is a brown sauce made from the fruit of the acacia tree, that oddly looks like a wild mango and tastes like cocoa. This sauce goes well with all kinds of fish, shellfish and meat.
  • Smoked chicken Nyembwe, whose sauce is made with the pulp of palm kernels, is served with ripe bananas and grated manioc or rice.
  • Cassava leaves are a key food in Gabon’s diet. The leaves, finely crushed and boiled, are usually served with smoked fish.
  • Nkumu: the leaves of this small liana are very rich in protein. They are cooked with fish and vegetables in a salted broth.
  • The Coupé Coupé of beef is a famous street food made of small pieces of braised meat served in bread. Another speciality to take away is the Nikes, braised chicken skewers.

Gabonese people are fond of sodas, and also drink the national beer called Régab. The palm wine, stronger, is also appreciated.

Active Life

Behave like a local!

Some tips for living in Gabon:

  • When you go out for a drink and dinner or when you take a taxi, giving a tip is not mandatory but will always be appreciated.
  • Always ask permission before taking pictures of people.
  • For any purchase of souvenirs, do not hesitate to bargain, it is part of the custom. At the market, it’s even mandatory!

The most beautiful sites to visit

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