Gabon

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The Gabonese Republic, or Gabon, is a nation of west central Africa. It borders on Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo and the Gulf of Guinea. Ruled by autocratic presidents since independence from France on August 17, 1960, Gabon introduced a multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s that allowed for a more transparent electoral process and for reforms of governmental institutions. A small population, abundant natural resources, and foreign private investment have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African countries.

Republique Gabonaise

(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: none''
Official language	French
Capital	Libreville
Capital´s coordinates	0° 30' N, 9° 32' E
President	Omar Bongo
Prime Minister	Jean-Francois Ntoutoume Emane
Area  - Total  - % water	Ranked 74th 267,667 km² xx% / Negligible
Population  - Total (July 1995 est.)  - Density	Ranked 148th 1,155,749 4.6/km²
Independence  - Declared  - Recognised	(From France) August 17 1960 (Year)
Currency	CFA franc
Time zone	UTC +1 (DST, yes or not)
National anthem	La Concorde
Internet TLD	.GA
Calling Code	241

Table of contents

1 History 2 Politics 3 Provinces 4 Geography 5 Economy 6 Demographics 7 Culture 8 Indigenous diseases to be careful about.. 9 Miscellaneous topics 10 External links

History

Main article: History of Gabon France occupied Gabon in 1885 but did not administer it until 1903. In 1910, Gabon became one of the four territories of French Equatorial Africa, a federation that survived until 1959. The territories became independent on August 17, 1960

Politics

Main article: Politics of Gabon In March 1991 a new constitution was adopted, among its provisions are a Western-style bill of rights; creation of a National Council of Democracy, which oversees the guarantee of those rights; a governmental advisory board on economic and social issues; Multi-party legislative elections were held in 1990-91, despite the fact that opposition parties had not been declared formally legal.

President El Hadj Omar Bongo was re-elected in December 1998, with 66% of the votes cast. Although the main opposition parties claimed the elections had been manipulated, there was none of the civil disturbance that followed the 1993 election. The president retains strong powers, such as authority to dissolve the National Assembly, declare a state of siege, delay legislation, conduct referenda, and appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet members.

• List of Presidents of Gabon

Provinces

Main article: Provinces of Gabon Gabon in divided administratively into nine provinces

• Estuaire
• Haut Ogooue
• Moyen Ogooue
• Ngounie
• Nyanga
• Ogooue-Ivindo
• Ogooue-Lolo
• Ogooue-Maritime
• Woleu Ntem

Geography

Main article: Geography of Gabon

• List of places in Gabon

Gabon is located on the Atlantic coast of central Africa. Clockwise from the northwest, it is bounded by Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, and the Republic of Congo.

Gabon's largest river is the Ogooue. Gabon is also noted for efforts to preserve the natural environment with what may be the largest area of nature parks in the world.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Gabon

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Gabon

Culture

Main article: Culture of Gabon

• Ethnic groups of Gabon
• List of writers from Gabon
• Bwiti

Indigenous diseases to be careful about..

• malaria (common)
• loa loa filariasis (fairly common in villages)
• ebola (very rare)

Gabon has been in the news the past few years due to outbreaks of the Ebola virus.

Miscellaneous topics

• Communications in Gabon
• Transportation in Gabon
• Military of Gabon
• Foreign relations of Gabon

External links

• Gabon - CIA World Factbook