Gabon

In brief

Gabon is a country in Central Africa. Its capital is Libreville. With 2.6 million inhabitants in 2025, it ranks 140th in the world by population, out of the 195 countries recognised by the UN. Its area is 267,668 km². It shares land borders with Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and the Republic of the Congo.

GDP per capita stands at $8,263 (2025), 92nd in the world. Life expectancy at birth is 68.5 years (2024). 92% of the population lives in cities.

History of Gabon

Long inhabited by Bantu-speaking peoples, the Gabonese coast was visited by the Portuguese from the 15th century. Libreville was founded in 1849 by freed slaves. A French colony within French Equatorial Africa, Gabon became independent on 17 August 1960. Omar Bongo ruled from 1967 until his death in 2009, followed by his son Ali Bongo until the military coup of August 2023. Oil, manganese and timber are its main resources.

Geography of Gabon

Crossed by the equator, Gabon is nearly 90% covered in rainforest. The Ogooué river drains almost the whole country. Thirteen national parks, including Lopé, protect forest elephants and gorillas.

Map of Gabon

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Flag of Gabon

The flag of Gabon is blue, green and yellow. Its official proportions are 3:4 (height to width).

• Green33%
• Yellow33%
• Blue33%

Share of the flag’s surface taken by each colour.

What the flag stands for

Green, yellow and blue horizontal bands: green for the forest, yellow for the equator and the sun, blue for the sea.

Sources: Wikipedia, articles “Gabon” and “Flag of Gabon”.

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Fact file

Economy and society