Key Facts about Gabon

About Gabon

• The Republic of Gabon is located at the Equator in West-Central Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean.
• Bordering countries: It is bordered by Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon to the north and the Republic of the Congo to the east and south.
• A former French colony, Gabon retains strong ties to France and to the French language and culture.
• Independence: Gabon gained independence from France on August 17, 1960.
• Government: It is a presidential republic where the president is both the head of state and the head of government of the country.
• Capital: Libreville
• Language: Spoken languages are French (official) and a variety of Bantu languages.
• Currency: The currency of Gabon is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), a currency used by five other African nations.
• Religion:
  • A large majority of Gabon’s population is Christian.
  • A small segment of the country’s population is Muslim. 
  • Adherents of traditional religions also account for a small segment of the population.
• Climate: It has an equatorial climate, with year-round high temperatures and humidity.
• Gabon's largest river is the Ogooué.
• About three-fourths of the country is covered by a dense equatorial rainforest containing more than 3,000 species of vegetation.
• It is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Q1) What is the Equator?

The Equator is an imaginary line that circles the Earth horizontally, dividing it into two equal halves: the Northern Hemisphere and the Southern Hemisphere. It is situated equidistant from the North Pole and the South Pole and runs east-west around the Earth's circumference.

Source: Mutinous soldiers in Gabon say they have ousted president whose family has ruled for 55 years