Discover Fascinating Gabon Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Gabon.
Gabon
Background
π**Gabon: A Quick Dive into Its Background!**π
Gabon is a vibrant country that became independent from France in 1960. Since then, it has gone through some significant changes!
From 1967 to 2023, Gabon was led by two presidents from the same family: El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba and his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba. That's a long time! Almost 56 years of one family in charge! π
Recently, in 2023, things took a dramatic turn when a military coup ended the BONGO dynasty. Now, Gen. Brice OLIGUI Nguema is steering the country as its transitional president. Change is in the air! π¨
Year of Independence
1960
Years ruled by the BONGO Family
56
Year the BONGO dynasty ended
2023
Exports - commodities
Gabon is rich in natural resources, and its exports reflect this treasure trove! πβ¨ The main commodities that Gabon exports include:
- Crude Petroleum: Gabon is known for its high-quality crude oil, which is one of the key components of its export market.
- Manganese Ore: This mineral is essential for steel production and Gabon is one of the top producers in the world! π©
- Wood: With its vast forests, Gabon prides itself on providing high-quality timber and wood products.
- Veneer Sheets: Gabon's expertise in wood also extends to producing beautiful veneer sheets, perfect for craftsmen and builders.
- Refined Petroleum: Beyond crude oil, Gabon also refines petroleum, contributing to its economic framework.
These commodities showcase the natural wealth of Gabon and its export prowess! π¦π°
Main Export Commodities
Crude Petroleum, Manganese Ore, Wood, Veneer Sheets, Refined Petroleum
Exports - partners
π¬π¦ Gabon has some interesting trading partners! In 2022, China was the biggest partner, making up a whopping 43% of Gabon's exports! π Next in line are South Korea, Italy, and India, all contributing 8%, 7%, and 7% respectively. Not to forget, Indonesia also plays a part with 5% of the exports. It's amazing to see how Gabon connects with different countries around the world! π
Percentage of exports to China
43%
Percentage of exports to South Korea
8%
Percentage of exports to Italy
7%
Percentage of exports to India
7%
Percentage of exports to Indonesia
5%
Export Partners of Gabon (2022)
Capital
π The beautiful country of Gabon has its capital city in Libreville! This vibrant city is located along the coast and is known for its lush greenery and diverse culture. If you're ever in Gabon, Libreville is a must-visit! ποΈ
Imports - commodities
Gabon is bustling with imports! π³οΈ The country brings in various commodities to meet the needs of its people. In 2022, the top imports included:
- Poultry π
- Plastic Products π₯€
- Iron Pipes π§
- Fish π
- Excavation Machinery ποΈ
Each of these products plays a vital role in daily life, contributing to the economy and supporting local industries. Let's dive deeper into what these imports mean for Gabon!
Climate
Gabon has a tropical climate that keeps things warm and humid all year round! ππ΄ This means you can expect hot temperatures and a lot of moisture in the air. It's the perfect weather for those who love the heat and vibrant nature! πΊ
Executive branch
π The Leadership of Gabon π
Gabon has some new faces in its executive branch!
π€ Chief of State: Gen. Brice OLIGUI Nguema has taken on the role of Transitional President since 4 September 2023.
π¨βπΌ Head of Government: Prime Minister Raymond NDONG SIMA stepped into his position on 7 September 2023.
This fresh leadership marks an important moment in Gabonβs governance! π
Date Gen. Brice OLIGUI Nguema became Transitional President
4 September 2023
Date Raymond NDONG SIMA became Prime Minister
7 September 2023
Legislative branch
π¬π¦ Let's dive into Gabon's Legislative Branch! The country has a Special Transitional Parliament that is made up of two key components:
- Senate: This body has 70 seats! ποΈ
- National Assembly: This important assembly has 98 seats! π
Together, these two parts of the parliament shape the laws and policies in Gabon! Isn't that exciting? π€©
Total Seats in Parliament
168
Seats in Gabon's Legislative Branch
Natural resources
π Gabon is rich in a variety of natural resources! Hereβs a fun overview of what Gabon has in its treasure chest:
- Petroleum: A major player in the country's economy!
- Natural Gas: An essential resource for energy.
- Diamonds: Sparkling gems that shine bright!
- Niobium: A rare metal used in alloys.
- Manganese: Important for steelmaking!
- Uranium: A key element for energy production.
- Gold: A valuable metal that everyone loves!
- Timber: Lush forests provide beautiful wood materials.
- Iron Ore: A major component in construction.
- Hydropower: Harnessing the power of water for energy! π§
Gabon truly has a wealth of resources that not only support its economy but also contribute to the worldβs supply of essential materials! π
Economic overview
Gabon is a natural-resource-rich country π with a Central African economy. As an upper-middle-income nation, it has a significant reliance on oil and mineral exports π°. The population is highly urbanized, which means many people live in cities ποΈ.
However, Gabon faces challenges, including high levels of poverty and unemployment π«. To compound the situation, there is uncertainty about institutional and development reform progress after the 2023 military coup βοΈ.
This mixture of wealth from resources and struggles with social issues makes Gabon's economy both fascinating and complex!
Income classification
Upper-middle-income
Economic reliance
Oil and mineral exports
Population type
Highly urbanized
Poverty level
High levels
Unemployment level
High levels
Recent political event
2023 military coup
Government type
Gabon is a presidential republic! π³οΈ This means that the President is the head of state and government, which gives them a significant role in shaping the country's future. In a presidential republic, the President is often elected by the people, and they have the power to enforce laws, oversee the government, and represent the nation in international matters. π Do you think a presidential system makes it easier for citizens to have a voice? π€
Ethnic groups
Gabon is a beautiful country rich in cultures and traditions! πβ¨ The population of Gabon is made up of various ethnic groups, each contributing to the vibrant fabric of society. Check out the breakdown of these ethnic communities:
- Fang: 23.5%
- Shira-Punu'Vii: 20.6%
- Nzabi-Duma: 11.2%
- Mbede-Teke: 5.6%
- Myene: 4.4%
- Kota-Kele: 4.3%
- Okande-Tsogho: 1.6% β¬οΈ
- Others: 12.6%
- Foreigners: 16.2% π
They all blend together to create the unique identity of Gabon! Let's take a look at how these groups compare on a chart! π
Percentage of Fang
23.5%
Percentage of Shira-Punu'Vii
20.6%
Percentage of Nzabi-Duma
11.2%
Percentage of Mbede-Teke
5.6%
Percentage of Myene
4.4%
Percentage of Kota-Kele
4.3%
Percentage of Okande-Tsogho
1.6%
Percentage of Others
12.6%
Percentage of Foreigners
16.2%
Ethnic Groups in Gabon
Religions
In Gabon, a colorful mix of religions can be seen! π Let's take a closer look at the different beliefs:
- Protestant: 46.4% π
- Revival Church: 37%
- Other Protestant: 9.4%
- Roman Catholic: 29.8% βͺ
- Other Christian: 4% βοΈ
- Muslim: 10.8% πΏ
- Traditional/Animist: 1.1% π±
- Other: 0.9% π
- None: 7% β
This diverse landscape of faith shows how varied the beliefs are in Gabon! Each group contributes to the rich tapestry of Gabonese culture. π
Percentage of Protestants
46.4%
Percentage of Roman Catholics
29.8%
Percentage of Muslims
10.8%
Percentage of Traditional/Animists
1.1%
Percentage of Those with No Religion
7%
Distribution of Religions in Gabon
Languages
ππ Gabon is a vibrant country with a rich tapestry of languages! The official language is French, but that's just the beginning! πβ¨ People also speak various local languages, including Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, and Bandjabi. This diversity showcases the cultural heritage and identity of the Gabonese people! π£οΈβ€οΈ
Official Language
French
Local Languages
5
Imports - partners
Gabon has a diverse array of import partners, with each country playing a unique role in its economy. π Hereβs a snapshot of Gabonβs import partners in 2022:
- China takes the lead with 22% of imports! π¨π³
- France follows closely behind with 21%! π«π·
- The UAE and the US both contribute 5% each to Gabon's imports! π¦πͺπΊπΈ
- Lastly, Belgium rounds out the list with 4%! π§πͺ
These numbers reflect the different countries that supply goods to Gabon, showing a variety of trade relationships that the country has built over time.
Top Import Partner
China
Second Top Import Partner
France
Percentage of imports from UAE
5%
Percentage of imports from US
5%
Percentage of imports from Belgium
4%
Gabon Import Partners - 2022
Population
π Gabon is home to a total population of 2,455,105 people! That's a vibrant mix of cultures, languages, and traditions living together in this beautiful country. With such a rich diversity, Gabon is truly a special place! π₯³
Total Population
2,455,105
Area
Gabon is a country with a total area of 267,667 sq km! π Of this, 257,667 sq km is land, making it a fantastic place for exploring nature! π³ There are also 10,000 sq km of water, which means plenty of beautiful rivers and lakes to enjoy! π§
Total Area
267667 sq km
Land Area
257667 sq km
Water Area
10000 sq km
Gabon Area Distribution
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
π Gabon is on a growth journey with its Real GDP (purchasing power parity)! Here's how it has looked over the past few years:
- 2021: $45.776 billion
- 2022: $47.134 billion
- 2023: $48.201 billion
As you can see, Gabon's GDP has been increasing steadily! This means that the country is producing more goods and services, which is a great sign for its economy! ππ
GDP in 2021
45.776 billion USD
GDP in 2022
47.134 billion USD
GDP in 2023
48.201 billion USD
Gabon Real GDP (PPP) Growth
Real GDP per capita
π° Gabon has been making strides in its economy! Let's dive into the impressive numbers of Real GDP per capita over the past few years:
- 2021: $19,600
- 2022: $19,700
- 2023: $19,800
As we can see, there has been a steady increase each year! π This shows that Gabon is advancing in terms of its economic output per person. Isn't it fascinating to witness the growth? π
Wouldn't it be cool to visualize this progress? π
Real GDP per Capita in Gabon (2021-2023)
Imports
π Gabon's imports have seen some interesting changes over the years! Let's dive into the numbers! In 2022, Gabon imported a total of $3.499 billion, which was an increase from $3.353 billion in 2021. Back in 2020, imports were around $3.454 billion. π These figures show how trade can fluctuate year to year, impacting the economy and everyday life in Gabon.
Imports in 2022
$3.499 billion
Imports in 2021
$3.353 billion
Imports in 2020
$3.454 billion
Gabon Imports Over the Years
Exports
π Gabon's exports have shown impressive growth over recent years! Let's take a look at the numbers:
- 2020: $7.275 billion π
- 2021: $11.229 billion π
- 2022: $12.935 billion π
From 2020 to 2022, Gabon's exports nearly doubled! π This growth highlights the increasing strength and diversity of Gabon's economy. π
Total Exports in 2022
$12.935 billion
Total Exports in 2021
$11.229 billion
Total Exports in 2020
$7.275 billion
Gabon Exports Over Time
Population growth rate
π Gabon is experiencing a notable population growth rate! As of 2024, the population is expected to grow by 2.37%. This growth can influence various aspects of life in Gabon, from education to healthcare! π
Estimated Population Growth Rate (2024)
2.37%