Gabon

Get to know Gabon

Gabon, officially the Gabonese Republic, is a country on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa, lying on the equator. It is bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, the Republic of the Congo to the east and south, while sharing a maritime border with São Tomé and Príncipe to the west in the Gulf of Guinea. It has an area of 270,000 square kilometres and a population of 2.6 million people. There are coastal plains, mountains , and savanna in the east. Libreville is the capital and largest city; other major cities include Port-Gentil and Franceville. Gabon's original inhabitants were the Bambenga. In the 13th century BCE, Bantu migrants began settling in the area. The Kingdom of Orungu was established around 1700. France colonised the region in the late 19th century. Since its independence from France in 1960, Gabon has had four presidents. In the 1990s, it introduced a multi-party system and a democratic constitution that aimed for a more transparent electoral process and reformed some governmental institutions.

Explore places in Gabon

Libreville →

Compare Libreville for seasonal weather, housing and everyday journeys. Open its guide for the local introduction, monthly climate and sources.

Planning a move or a longer stay

National averages are a starting point, not a neighbourhood budget. Shortlist specific places in Gabon, compare housing for your dates and check the journey to work, school or the activities that matter to you.

For a move, confirm residence and work requirements with the relevant government authority for your nationality. For a holiday, compare transport, accommodation and daily spending separately.

Understanding national conditions

These figures describe Gabon as a whole. Check the dates when comparing these national indicators with current local conditions.