Where is Gabon?

Gabon is located in the Northern Africa region at latitude -0.803689 and longitude 11.609444 and is part of the African continent.

The DMS coordinates for the center of the country are:

  • 0° 48' 13.28'' S
  • 11° 36' 34.00'' E

You can see the location of Gabon on the world map below:

Gabon pointed out on the map by a flag pin.

Gabon Neighboring Countries

The neighboring countries of Gabon (GA) are:

  1. Cameroon (CM)
  2. Congo (CG)
  3. Equatorial Guinea (GQ)

Maritime Borders

Gabon borders the Atlantic Ocean.

Gabon Related Content

Gabon Key Facts

CountryGabon
CoordinatesLatitude: -0.803689
Longitude: 11.609444
Country CodesAlpha 2: GA
Alpha 3: GAB
Country Flag Emoji🇬🇦
Int. Phone Prefix+241
Capital cityLibreville
Continent
Subcontinent
Africa
Northern Africa
Country Area267,667 sq km
Population 20212,278,829
World Rank: 142
Median Age21.6
Life expectancy65.8
Major languagesFrench (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi
UTC/GMT TimeNumber of time zones: 1
  • UTC+01:00
Internet TLD.ga
Biggest AirportLibreville Leon M’ba International Airport (LBV)
Average temperature25.05 °C
77.09 °F
Administrative Divisions9 provinces
Political systemPresidential representative democratic republic

Gabon Economy Facts

World Bank Income GroupUpper middle income
World Bank RegionSub-Saharan Africa
CurrencyCFA Franc (XAF)
GDP in 2020$15.3 (billions of USD)
World Rank: 123
GDP per capita in 2020$6,882
World Rank: 86
Major Industries / Economic SectorsOil and gas, agriculture, forestry, manufacturing
Top 5 Import CountriesFrance, China, United States, Belgium, South Korea
Top 5 Export CountriesChina, United States, France, Belgium, Spain

Biggest Cities in Gabon

Here are the largest cities in Gabon based on 2021 data:

City Population
Libreville 797,003
Port-Gentil 116,836
Oyem 60,685
Franceville 42,967
Moanda 30,151
Lambarene 25,310
Mouila 22,469
Tchibanga 19,365
Bitam 17,637
Makokou 17,070

Map of Gabon with the Largest Cities

Other Countries in the Northern Africa Region

Gabon Map

A political map of Gabon, bordered by Cameroon, Republic of Congo, and the South Atlantic Ocean, with a global inset.
Detailed map of Gabon administrative divisions with country flag and location on the globe.

Geography

The name of Gabon in the middle of the African continent comes from the word gabão, which means “hat” in Portuguese. Gabon, with an area of 267,667 square kilometers, which he named after the Portuguese sailors likened hats, declared his independence in 1960.

A stylized, colorful world map displaying countries in various hues against a blue ocean, not to scale.
Gabon on the World Map

The country is surrounded by many rivers as well as its natural beauties, white sandy beaches, and wildlife. There are 777 different species of birds known in the rainforest of the country, which has a rich nature life. Gabon is also home to 80 percent of the gorillas in the world.

Gabon is a small country on the west coast of Central Africa and is located on the equator, is surrounded by Equatorial Guinea in the northwest, Cameroon in the north, the Republic of Congo in the east and south of and Gulf Guinea in the west.

Ogowe, which is the largest river in the country, has a total length of 1,200 km. The river which flows from its source in the Republic of Congo and flows towards Gabon forms a delta at the point where it joins the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf of Guinea in the west of the country.

Iboundji Mountain, which has a height of 1.575 m, is accepted as the highest point of the country. The major elevations in the northeast and south of the country are 1,000 m above sea level.

Ancient rocks are dating back to the Proterozoic Periods, which are approximately two billion years before today, in different regions of Gabon. In these rocks, fossils belonging to very ancient periods and natural nuclear reactors which are the most famous oklo were found.

Governance

The Republic of Gabon is a republic managed by the constitution. The current constitution was adopted on 28 March 1991 and put into force. The country has a multi-party political system and is governed by the presidential system. The country’s president is elected for a period of seven years. With the amendment made in 2003, an unlimited number of candidates can be elected to the presidency. At the beginning of the government, the prime minister is appointed by the head of state.

The parliament of Gabon consists of two chambers, which are the national assembly and the Senate. The members of the 120 seats in the National Assembly are elected for a five-year term, while the members of the Senate with 91 members are elected for a six-year term.

Climate

Equatorial climate is seen in Gabon, the equatorial country on the Atlantic coast. Due to the humid tropical climate conditions throughout the country, the country is hot in all seasons. The hottest days are the month of January and the driest period between June and September.

In Gabon, where rainfall increases as it approaches the shore, it is very wet between December and January.

Religion

The majority of the population of Gabon are Catholics or Christians belonging to the Protestant sect. Approximately 73 percent of the population performs Christian worship.

In addition, animism is widespread in the country where people of Islam and Bwiti faith live in the country. 5 percent of the country’s population defines itself as an atheist.

Industry and Tourism

Gabon is a country rich in natural resources. Oil, magnesium, iron, gold, and uranium reserves are numerous in the country. Besides, although the country with large forests is considered to be one of the richest countries of the African continent, one-third of the population lives below the hunger limit.

Most of the agricultural activities in the country aim to meet personal needs. The most produced and exported agricultural products are coffee, cocoa, rubber, palm tree oil and sugar.

Art

In Gabon, music and dance performed in local languages constitute an important part of culture. Special days and hunting masks are made in different ways. In addition to handicrafts and masks that are revealed by individuals belonging to Fang ethnic group, baskets, carvings and sculptures are produced.

Sports

One of the most popular sports in Gabon is football. Country football is managed by the Gabon Football Federation (Fédération Gabonaise de Football), founded in 1962. A national league, called Championnat National de Division 1, is organized with thirteen teams in the country.

Gabon national football team ranked 59th in FIFA rankings in May 2015 and achieved 39th highest ranking in 2010.

Image Sources and Copyright Information
  • Gabon Location on Map with Flag Pin: © hyotographics/Shutterstock