Gabon is a small Central African country on the Atlantic Equator, where 88% of the country is forest and the government has set aside more than 11% of land area as national parks.
Geography & landscape
Gabon sits in Middle Africa, in the southern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 267,668 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the southern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Libreville, lies near coordinates -1°, 11.75°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Middle Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Gabon.
People & society
The population of Gabon is around 2.4M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
The official language is French, used in government, education and most public life. Regional dialects, minority languages and immigrant communities add further linguistic texture.
Government & politics
Gabon is structured as a presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Libreville, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Gabon is the Central African CFA Franc (XAF). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Libreville and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Gabon shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Gabon through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Libreville, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +241, and clocks are set to the WAT (UTC+1) time zone. ISO standards identify Gabon as GA (alpha-2) and GAB (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇬🇦, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Libreville | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Middle Africa | — |
| Population | 2.4M | people |
| Area | 267,668 | km² |
| Currency | Central African CFA Franc (XAF) | — |
| Calling code | +241 | international dialling |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) | standard time |
| Government type | Presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | GA | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | GAB | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | -1 | degrees |
| Longitude | 11.75 | degrees |
Did you know?
Gabon designated 13 national parks covering more than 11% of its territory in 2002, one of the most ambitious conservation moves in Africa.
