The Gabonese Republic, or Gabon, is a nation of west central Africa. Ruled by autocratic presidents since independence from France on August 17, 1960, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent electoral process and for reforms of governmental institutions. A small population, abundant natural resources, and foreign private investment have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African countries.
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National motto: Xxxxx | |||||
Official language | French | ||||
Capital | Libreville | ||||
Capital´s coordinates | 0° 30' N, 9° 32' E | ||||
President | El Hadj Omar Bongo | ||||
Area - Total - % water | Ranked 74th 267,667 km² xx% / Negligible | ||||
Population
- Total (July 1995 est.) - Density | Ranked 148th
1,155,749 4.6/km² | ||||
Independence
- Declared - Recognised | (From France)
August 17 1960 (Year) | ||||
Currency | CFA franc | ||||
Time zone | UTC +1 (DST, yes or not) | ||||
National anthem | La Concorde | ||||
Internet TLD | .GA | ||||
Calling Code | 241 |
Table of contents |
2 Politics 3 Provinces 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Indigenous diseases to be careful about.. 9 Miscellaneous topics 10 External links |
France occupied Gabon in 1885 but did not administer it until 1903. In 1910, Gabon became one of the four territories of French Equatorial Africa, a federation that survived until 1959. The territories became independent on August 17, 1960
In March 1991 a new constitution was adopted, among its provisions are a Western-style bill of rights; creation of a National Council of Democracy, which oversees the guarantee of those rights; a governmental advisory board on economic and social issues; Multi-party legislative elections were held in 1990-91, despite the fact that opposition parties had not been declared formally legal.
President El Hadj Omar Bongo was re-elected in December 1998, with 66% of the votes cast. Although the main opposition parties claimed the elections had been manipulated, there was none of the civil disturbance that followed the 1993 election. The president retains strong powers, such as authority to dissolve the National Assembly, declare a state of siege, delay legislation, conduct referenda, and appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet members.
Gabon in divided administratively into nine provinces
Gabon's largest river is the Ogooué. Gabon is also noted for efforts to preserve the natural environment with what may be the largest area of nature parks in the world.
History
Main article: History of GabonPolitics
Main article: Politics of GabonProvinces
Main article: Provinces of GabonGeography
Main article: Geography of Gabon
Gabon is located on the Atlantic coast of central Africa. Clockwise from the northwest, it is bounded by Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Republic of Congo.Economy
Main article: Economy of GabonDemographics
Main article: Demographics of GabonCulture
Main article: Culture of Gabon
Indigenous diseases to be careful about..
Gabon has been in the news the past few years due to outbreaks of the Ebola virus.Miscellaneous topics
External links