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Gabon:
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Other pages in this profile of Gabon:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence from France in 1960. The current president of Gabon, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - has dominated the country's political scene for almost four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the presidential elections in 2005 have exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Gabon's political 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. |
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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 land: 257,667 sq km water: 10,000 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 |
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, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower |
Land use |
arable land: 1.21% permanent crops: 0.64% other: 98.15% (2005) |
Irrigated land |
70 sq km (2003) |
Natural hazards |
NA |
Environment - current issues |
deforestation; poaching |
Environment - international agreements |
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling 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 |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |