Gabon

Background: Ruled by autocratic presidents since independence from France in 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 considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous black African countries.
Location: Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea 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.
Climate and Terrain:
People: Population: 1,321,560. Ethnic groups: Bantu tribes including four major tribal groupings (Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi, Obamba), other Africans and Europeans 154,000, including 10,700 French and 11,000 persons of dual nationality. Religions: Christian 55%-75%, animist, Muslim less than 1%. Languages: French (official), Fang, Myene, Nzebi, Bapounou/Eschira, Bandjabi.
Government: Government type: Republic; multiparty presidential regime. Capital: Libreville. Independence: 17 August 1960 (from France).
Economy overview: Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most nations of sub-Saharan Africa. This has supported a sharp decline in extreme poverty; yet because of high-income inequality a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. Devaluation of its Francophone currency by 50% on 12 January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped to 6% in 1996.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 39,000. Telephones - mobile cellular: 120,000. Radio broadcast stations: AM 6, FM 7 (and 11 repeaters), shortwave 4. Radios: 208,000. Television broadcast stations: 4. Televisions: 63,000. Internet users: 18,000. Railways: Total: 814 km. Highways: Total: 8,464 km, paved: 838 km, unpaved: 7,626 km. Airports - with paved runways: 10, with unpaved runways: 47.