Gabon
Capital
Libreville
Population
~2.3 million
Currency
Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Quick Facts
- Languages
- French
- Religion
- Christianity, Traditional beliefs
- Climate
- Tropical rainforest; hot and humid year-round
Culture & History
Known for: oil wealth, rainforests, and low population density
Also famous for: Loango National Park, surfing hippos, and pan-African music
Food: Poulet Nyembwe (chicken in palm butter sauce)
Brief History
French colony; gained independence in 1960; oil wealth has not eliminated poverty; committed to rainforest conservation