29 Fascinating Gabon Facts: Culture, History, And More
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Gabon is an African country situated on the west coast of Central Africa.
Being a former part of French Equatorial Africa, Gabon still has strong ties with French culture as the nation continues to speak the French language and follow French culture. Gabon is considered one of the richest African countries, yet, ironically, a major chunk of its population is poor.
The reason for this could be the large oil sector of Gabon, constituting 80% of Africa's oil revenue. Gabon is considered quite safe, excluding a few petty crimes here and there.
This Central African nation has at least 40 different ethnic groups, with different speaking languages, but French keeps them tied to their culture as its official language.
Gabon's location keeps it tied to the Atlantic coast from the west, with the land area surrounded by Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea from the north, east, and south by the Republic of Congo.
Gabon's population is controlled and well-addressed, constituting more youth with an average life expectancy of 66 years. Along with cultural and historical significance, Gabon homes 13 national parks, including Loango National Park, Ivindo National Park, and many more.
Gabon or the Gabonese Republic has many such eccentric natural resources you must explore. After a fascinating ride amidst Gabon's interesting facts, plan your next trip or just simply take in these interesting facts about the region to know more! For more such fun articles check out Austria facts and Finland facts.
Gabon History
Back before Europeans came in touch with Gabon, the land was occupied by the indigenous Bantu people. The intrusion of French, Portuguese and British explorers gradually occurred, following which the slave trade was at its peak.
At the time of Gabon's independence, only two political parties took the initiative to contest for elections, and later, Gabon introduced a multi-party system. Gabon follows a democratic constitution now, with legislative elections being held in the national assembly.
What is Gabon famous for?
Gabon is famous for its rich natural wealth, both as an advantage for economic growth and a visual treat for tourists worldwide.
Gabon homes some of the rarest animal species, some of them being endangered ones, and a major part of the country is occupied by rainforests. Gabon resides in a fascinating region where the world's only natural nuclear fission reactor is based.
One more aspect which makes Gabon unique from any other place is the fauna's wealth. Gabon consists of about a quarter of Africa's entire fauna in its rainforests alone. It is a beautiful country, and it is a top ecotourism spot. Even as the smallest African country, Gabon possesses natural wealth similar to any large, prosperous nation.
Gabon Population
Gabon's population is nearly 2.1 million, the least populated nation in the African subcontinent and on Earth, with a population density of 5.5 people per square kilometer. The country ranks fourth highest in human index ranking.
According to World Bank, the Gabon economy enjoys an upper-middle-income with per capita income higher than most African nations, due to various oil reserves.
A major part of the Gabonese population is comprised of ethnic groups nearing 40 and more. Each ethnic group has a different language; still, Gabon generally cherishes its close relations with French and has French as its official language.
People of Gabon exhibit harmony and have a friendly nature as people with diverse ethnicities, religions, cultures, and languages continue to live and thrive together.
Gabon Fun Facts
Gabon has a bunch of interesting facts most people don't know about. Let's uncover some of them and learn more about this vibrant country.
Considering the high number of national parks, Gabon is now known as 'Land of the Surfing Hippos'. This is because 10% of Gabon's total land is dedicated to the national park hippo's ability to wade out into the sea.
Gabon's second presidency rule lasted for a period of 42 years. President Omar Bongo held the responsibility from 1967-2009, after which his brother, Ali Bongo Ondimba, took over the post.
Africa's Last Eden or Loango National Park is one of the largest nature parks in Africa, home to animals such as gorillas, lions, crocodiles, and many more.
Mask making is a prominent art in Gabon. The punu-lumbo mask is an extremely famous type of tribal Gabonese mask and the styles vary dramatically.
Gabon's great coastal wildernesses include the wonders of humpback whales.
Gabon is Africa's fifth-largest oil-producing country.
The principal river of Gabon Ogooue is also Gabon's largest river.
Savorgnan de Brazza was a French explorer and one of the first to navigate to Gabon.
The Gabon capital Libreville or Free Town is a significant place where the French navy freed slaves from the US slave traders and resettled them in the same place.
The Gabon estuary empties in the Gulf of Guinea.
Being one of the top oil-producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, Gabon has the most crude oil reserves.
A significant amount of Africa's gorillas are found in Gabon.
Gabon consists of more than a hundred limestone and dolomite caves. Most of these caves are unexplored as a majority of the country is covered in forests.
Gabon is one of the 13 countries that the equator passes across. Usually, such countries suffer from extreme poverty or economic instability, but Gabon's economy is seen to do well.
Being near the coastal region and having the line of equator passing through offers Gabon a climate with a tropical weather pattern to be enjoyed all year long.
Gabon practices major religions such as Christianity, Islam, and other indigenous religions where people pay a visit to Mosques, and Churches to receive blessings before important life events.
Gabon masks are not just artifacts or cultural symbols. With thorough usage of different metals and alloys, the masks are believed to offer spiritual protection and even promote fertility.
Gabon homes distinct regions within itself that range from the hilly interior, narrow coastal plains, and savanna from the east and west.
Gabon country boasts being the only Oklo reactor zone. It is the only human-known natural nuclear fission reactor that was active around two billion years ago.
Lope National Park of Gabon contains the world's highest elephant concentration.
Gabon is home to incredible beaches along the gorgeous Atlantic coastline. A must-visit place in your Gabon tourism list!
Gabon's largest city, Libreville, is a trading center for the nation's most significant trading produce, timber.
Gabon's flag proudly promotes its natural wealth with the green representing forests, blue recognizing the beautiful coasts and waters, and yellow to depict the equator line and sunlight's warmth.
Gabon drafted a transitional constitution in May 1990.
A few examples of Gabon's rich natural resources include petroleum, iron, manganese, and timber.
Gabon is enjoying strong economic growth as the World Bank says, courtesy of its naturally gifted landscape.
Gabon mask-making styles vary dramatically with a change in the type of group making the mask.
Gabon has opted for a democratic constitution since its independence from the French colonies.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Gabon facts, then why not take a look at Hungary facts or Jamaica facts?
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English
Rajnandini RoychoudhuryBachelor of Arts specializing in English, Master of Arts specializing in English
With a Master of Arts in English, Rajnandini has pursued her passion for the arts and has become an experienced content writer. She has worked with companies such as Writer's Zone and has had her writing skills recognized by publications such as The Telegraph. Rajnandini is also trilingual and enjoys various hobbies such as music, movies, travel, philanthropy, writing her blog, and reading classic British literature.
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