Gabon: Background & Geography

Introduction Gabon
Background:
 Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence from France in 1960. Gabon's current President, El Hadj Omar BONGO - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - has dominated Gabon's political scene for almost four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, the low turnout and allegations of electoral fraud during the most recent local elections in 2002-03 have exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. In addition, recent strikes have underscored the popular disenchantment with the political system. Presidential elections scheduled for 2005 are unlikely to bring change since the opposition remains weak, divided, and financially dependent on the current regime. Despite political conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous and stable African countries.
Geography Gabon
Location:
 Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea
Geographic coordinates:
 1 00 S, 11 45 E
Map references:
 Africa
Area:
 total: 267,667 sq km
water: 10,000 sq km
land: 257,667 sq km
Area - comparative:
 slightly smaller than Colorado
Land boundaries:
 total: 2,551 km
border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km
Coastline:
 885 km
Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
 territorial sea: 12 NM
contiguous zone: 24 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:
 tropical; always hot, humid
Terrain:
 narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
Elevation extremes:
 lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m
Natural resources:
 petroleum, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower
Land use:
 arable land: 1.26%
permanent crops: 0.66%
other: 98.08% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
 150 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards:
 NA
Environment - current issues:
 deforestation; poaching
Environment - international agreements:
 party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
 a small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity

See Also: