GABON – Country Information

Population:
Gabon has a population of 2.2 million as of 2020.

Size:
267,665 sq km / 103,346 sq mi (similar size to Colorado)

Capital City:
The capital city of Libreville is located in northern Gabon along the coastline. 

Ethnic Groups:
37.5% Other
28.6% Fang
10.2% Punu
8.9% Nzebi
6.7% French
4.1% Mpongwe
4% Teke

Religion:
41.9% Roman Catholic
32.4% Other Christian
13.7% Protestant
6.4% Muslim
5.6% Other / Nonreligious

Languages:
French

Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, and Bandjabi are also spoken in Gabon.

Geography:
Three-fourths of Gabon is covered in rainforests, with the remaining made up of flat coastal plains, hills, and savannas.

Economy:
Gabon continues to have strong ties to France with heavy financial investments. The main exports are timber, oil, and manganese. 

Interesting Fact:
Gabon lies directly on the equator and has year-round tropical weather.

Important Facts:
The first to arrive to Gabon was the Portuguese in 1472. They established trade and in the 1500s the area was used for trade with many European nations. In 1910 Gabon became one of the four colonies within the French Equatorial Africa. Gabon received independence from France on August 17, 1960.