Gabon 12027 225973416 2008-07-16T07:45:17Z Kman543210 6844949 [[WP:UNDO|Undid]] revision 225971339 by [[Special:Contributions/58.106.21.112|58.106.21.112]] no sources or explanation given to back up changes {{otheruses}} {{Infobox Country |native_name = ''République Gabonaise'' |conventional_long_name = Gabonese Republic |common_name = Gabon |image_flag = Flag_of_Gabon.svg |image_coat = Coat of arms of Gabon.svg |image_map = LocationGabon.svg |national_anthem = ''[[La Concorde]]'' |capital = [[Libreville]] |latd=0 |latm=23 |latNS=N |longd=9 |longm=27 |longEW=E |largest_city = capital |official_languages = [[French language|French]] |demonym = Gabonese |government_type = [[Republic]] |leader_title1 = [[Heads of state of Gabon|President]] |leader_name1 = [[Omar Bongo]] |leader_title2 = [[Heads of Government of Gabon|Prime Minister]] |leader_name2 = [[Jean Eyeghe Ndong]] |national_motto = |area_magnitude = 1 E11 |area_km2 = 267,668 |area_sq_mi = 103,347 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |percent_water = 3.76% |population_estimate = 1,454,867 |population_estimate_rank = 150th |population_estimate_year = July 2005 |population_census = |population_census_year = |population_density_km2 = 5.4 |population_density_sq_mi = 13.5 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]--> |population_density_rank = 216th |GDP_PPP = $9.621 billion |GDP_PPP_rank = 136th |GDP_PPP_year = 2007 |GDP_PPP_per_capita = $14,083 |GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 53rd |sovereignty_type = [[Independence]] |established_event1 = from [[France]] |established_date1 = [[August 17]] [[1960]] |HDI = {{increase}} 0.677 |HDI_rank = 119th |HDI_year = 2007 |HDI_category = <span style="color:#fc0">medium</span> |currency = [[CFA franc]] |currency_code = XAF |time_zone = [[West Africa Time|WAT]] |utc_offset = +1 |time_zone_DST = not observed |utc_offset_DST = +1 |cctld = [[.ga]] |calling_code = 241 |footnotes = }} '''Gabon''' ({{pronEng|gəˈbɒn}} or /gaˈbõ/ in [[French language|French]]) is a country in west central [[Africa]] sharing borders with [[Equatorial Guinea]], [[Cameroon]], [[Republic of the Congo]] and the [[Gulf of Guinea]]. The capital and largest city is [[Libreville]]. Since its independence from [[France]] on [[August 17]], [[1960]], the Republic has been ruled by four presidents. In the early 1990s, Gabon introduced a [[multi party system]] and a new [[democratic]] [[constitution]] that allowed for a more transparent electoral process and reformed many governmental institutions. A small population (less than two million), abundant [[natural resources]], and [[foreign]] private [[investment]] have helped make Gabon one of the most prosperous countries in the region, with the highest [[Human Development Index|HDI]] in Sub-Saharan Africa. == History == {{main|History of Gabon}} The earliest inhabitants of the area were [[Pygmy]] peoples. They were largely replaced and absorbed by [[Bantu peoples|Bantu]] tribes as they [[human migration|migrated]]. In the 15th century, the first Europeans arrived. The nation's name originates from these days as 'Gabão' is Portuguese for cabin, which is roughly the shape of the [[estuary]] of the Komo River by Libreville. French explorer [[Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza]] led his first mission to the Gabon-Congo area in 1875. He founded the town of [[Franceville]], and was later colonial governor. Several [[Bantu]] groups lived in the area that is now Gabon when [[France]] officially occupied it in 1885. In 1910, Gabon became one of the four territories of [[French Equatorial Africa]], a federation that survived until 1959. These territories became independent on [[August 17]], [[1960]]. The first president of Gabon, elected in 1961, was [[Léon M’ba]], with [[Omar Bongo Ondimba]] as his vice president. When M'Ba died in 1967, Bongo replaced him as president, and has been the head of state ever since, winning each contested election with a substantial majority. == Government == [[Image:Bongo and Bush.jpg|thumb|left| President [[Omar Bongo]] Ondimba of Gabon (left) in Washington, USA.]] {{main|Politics of Gabon}} In March of 1991, a new constitution was enacted. Among its provisions are a bill of rights, the creation of a body to guarantee those rights ([[National Council of Democracy]]) and a governmental advisory board which deals with economic and social issues. Multi-party legislative elections were held in 1990-91 even though opposition parties had not yet been formally declared legal. President [[Omar Bongo|El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba]], in power since 1967 <ref>[http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/801828,castrolong021908.article "Bongo set to rise to senior world leader",] ''Chicago Sun-Times'', February 19, 2008. Accessed February 19, 2008. </ref>, was re-elected to his third consecutive seven-year term on [[November 27]] [[2005]]. According to figures provided by Gabon's Interior Ministry, he received a 79.1% majority of votes. Voting age in Gabon is 21 years of age<ref name = "cinnwk">[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gb.html CIA - The World Factbook - Gabon<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. In 2003, the President amended the [[Constitution of Gabon]] to remove any restrictions on the number of terms a president is allowed to serve. The president retains strong powers, such as authority to dissolve the National Assembly, declare a state of siege, delay legislation, conduct referendums, and appoint or dismiss the prime minister as well as cabinet members. In provisional results, the ruling [[Gabonese Democratic Party]] (PDG) won 84 out of 120 parliamentary seats. As with previous Gabonese elections, the opposition parties have contested the results. There were calls for a boycott and accusations of electoral fraud and bribery. There were also incidences of violence and protest, particularly in the first round of voting held two weeks prior. However, several international observers including the Economic Community of Central African States have reported that the election "met international standards" for [[democracy|democratic]] voting. {{further|[[List of Presidents of Gabon]]}} Gabon has a small, professional [[Military of Gabon|military]] of about 5,000 personnel, divided into army, navy, air force, [[gendarmerie]], and national police. Gabonese forces are oriented to the defense of the country and have not been trained for an offensive role. A 1,800-member guard provides security for the president. In September, 2007, [[René Ndémezo'o Obiang]], the government's spokesperson, announced that Gabon's cabinet council had decided to formally abolish the [[death penalty]], which had not been applied in the country in over a decade. == Provinces and departments == {{main|Provinces of Gabon|Departments of Gabon}} [[Image:Gabon provinces numbered.png|thumb|right|200px|Provinces of Gabon]] Gabon is divided into 9 [[Provinces of Gabon|provinces]] and further divided into 37 [[Departments of Gabon|departments]]. The provinces are: #[[Estuaire Province|Estuaire]] #[[Haut-Ogooué]] #[[Moyen-Ogooué]] #[[Ngounié]] #[[Nyanga Province|Nyanga]] #[[Ogooué-Ivindo]] #[[Ogooué-Lolo]] #[[Ogooué-Maritime]] #[[Woleu-Ntem]] == Geography == {{MapLibrary|Gabon_sat.png|Gabon}} {{main|Geography of Gabon}} Gabon is located on the [[Atlantic Ocean|Atlantic]] coast of central Africa. Located on the [[equator]], Gabon has an [[equatorial climate]] with an extensive system of rainforests covering 85% of the country. There are three distinct regions: the coastal plains (ranging between 20 to 300 km from the ocean's shore), the mountains (the [[Cristal Mountains]] to the northeast of Libreville, the Chaillu Massif in the centre, culminating at 1575 m with Mont Iboundji), and the [[savanna]] in the east. Gabon's largest river is the [[Ogooué]] which is 1200 km long. Gabon has three karst areas where there are hundreds of caves located in the dolomite and limestone rocks. Some of the caves include Grotte du Lastoursville, Grotte du Lebamba, Grotte du Bongolo, and Grotte du Kessipougou. Many caves have not been explored yet. A National Geographic Expedition is heading to the caves in the summer of 2008 to document them ([http://blogs.nationalgeographic.com/blogs/gabon-caves Expedition Website]. Gabon is also noted for efforts to preserve the natural environment. In 2002, President Omar Bongo Ondimba put Gabon firmly on the map as an important future ecotourism destination by nominating more than 11% of the nation's territory as National Park (13 in total), which may be the largest area of [[nature parks]] in the world. Natural resources include: petroleum, magnesium, iron, gold, uranium, and forests. {{seealso|List of places in Gabon}} == Economy == {{main|Economy of Gabon}} Gabon is more prosperous than most nearby countries, with a [[per capita income]] of four times the average for [[Sub-Saharan Africa]]. This is in large part due to offshore [[petroleum|oil]] production. Critics note that the income was not invested in modernizing or diversifying the economy and Gabon remains heavily reliant on its natural resources. Gabon was a full member of [[Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries|OPEC]] from 1975 to 1995. It is an exporter of [[manganese]], [[iron]], and [[wood]]. [[Uranium]] mines near [[Franceville]] were shut down in 2001 with the arrival of new competition on the global market and is work in progress to re-open them. Plans to exploit rich [[iron]] deposits north-east of [[Makokou]] are foreseen to begin in 2012. During the 1990s, [[devaluation]] of the [[CFA franc]] left Gabon struggling to pay its overseas [[Third World debt|debt]]; [[France]] and the [[International Monetary Fund|IMF]] have provided further loans and aid in exchange for the implementation of changes to the economy. Gabon's principal trading partners are the [[United States of America|United States]], [[China]], and [[Russia]] for exports while importing mainly from France<ref name = "cinnwk"/>. On December 5, [[JPMorgan]] acted as Joint-Bookrunner on the Gabonese Republic’s (BB-/BB-) debut international US$1 billion 10-year bond issue. The issue was very well received despite the challenging market environment. == Demographics == {{main|Demographics of Gabon}} [[Image:Gabon demography.png|thumb|650px|centre|Demographic evolution of Gabon from 1961 to 2003]] The population of Gabon is nearly 1.5 million (1,454,867 <ref name = "cinnwk"/>). Almost all Gabonese are of [[Bantu]] origin, though Gabon has at least forty [[ethnic group]]s with separate languages and cultures. The [[Beti-Pahuin#Fang|Fang]] are generally thought to be the largest, although recent census data seem to favor the [[Bandjabi]] (or [[Nzebi]]). Others include the [[Myene]], [[Bakota]], [[Eshira]], [[Bapounou]], and [[Okande]]. Ethnic group boundaries are less sharply drawn in Gabon than elsewhere in [[Africa]]. [[French language|French]], the [[official language]], may be regarded as a unifying force. It is estimated that 80%<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_French#_note-2007_report</ref> of the country's population are able to speak French, and that one-third of Libreville residents are native speakers of the language<ref>[http://www.tlfq.ulaval.ca/axl/afrique/gabon.htm Le Gabon<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>. More than 10,000 [[French people]] live in Gabon, and France is the predominant foreign cultural and commercial influence. Historical and environmental factors caused Gabon's population to decline between 1900 and 1940. It has one of the lowest [[population density|population densities]] of any country in Africa, and labor shortages form a major obstacle to development and a draw for foreign workers. Most inhabitants are [[Christianity|Christians]] (with estimates of the Christian population ranging from 55 to 77%), mostly members of the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. Other religious groups include animists, Muslims, and practitioners of indigenous African religions. Gabon's literacy rate is 63.2%<ref name = "cinnwk"/> {{seealso|Ethnic groups of Gabon|Languages of Gabon|Bwiti}} ==Culture== [[Image:Chancery.jpg|thumb|Chancery building, [[Libreville]].]] ===Music=== Gabonese music is little-known in comparison with regional giants like the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and [[Cameroon]]. The country boasts an array of folk styles, as well as pop stars like [[Patience Dabany]] and Annie Flore Batchiellilys, a Gabonese singer and renowned live performer. Dabany's albums, though recorded in Los Angeles, have a distinctively Gabonese element and are popular throughout Francophone Africa. Other major musicians include [[Pierre-Claver Akendengue]] (considered a master-poet), "the veteran" Mack Joss, Vickos Ekondo, known as "the king of Tandima". Annie Flore has participated in musical events, both improvised and planned, with a wide variety of musicians from around the world, including: Youssou N'dour (Senegal), Ray Léma (DRC), Lokua Kanza (DRC), La Baronne (France), Carlo Rizzo (Italy), Cynthia Scott (USA), Mario Chenart (Canada), Solange Campagne (Canada), Philip Peris (Australia) and Qiu-Xia-He (China). Also known are guitarists like [[Georges Oyendze]], [[La Rose Mbadou]] and [[Sylvain Avara]], and the singer [[Oliver N'Goma]]. Imported rock and hip hop from the US and UK are popular in Gabon, as are [[Cuban Rumba|rumba]], [[makossa]] and [[soukous]]. Gabonese folk instruments include the [[obala (instrument)|obala]], the [[ngombi]], [[balafon]] and traditional drums. {{seealso|Music of Gabon}} ===Oral tradition=== A country with a primarily [[oral tradition]] up until the spread of [[literacy]] in the 21st century, Gabon is rich in [[folklore]] and [[mythology]]. "Raconteurs" are currently working to keep traditions alive such as the [[mvett]] among the Fangs and the [[ingwala]] among the Nzebis. {{seealso|List of African writers (by country)#Gabon}} ===Masks=== Gabon also features internationally celebrated masks, such as the [[n'goltang]] (Fang) and the relicary figures of the [[Bakota|Kota]]. Each group has its own set of masks used for various reasons. They are mostly used in traditional ceremonies such as marriage, birth and funerals. Traditionalists mainly work with rare local woods and other precious materials. ===Television=== Gabon will be the host for the [[Survivor: Gabon|seventeenth season]] of ''[[Survivor (U.S. TV series)|Survivor]]''. == See also == {{columns |width=270px |col1 = * [[Communications in Gabon]] * [[Foreign relations of Gabon]] * [[List of Gabon-related topics]] * [[Military of Gabon]] |col2 = * [[Postage stamps and postal history of Gabon]] * [[Fédération Gabonaise du Scoutisme|Scouting in Gabon]] * [[Transport in Gabon]] }} ==References== * Maria Petringa, ''Brazza, A Life for Africa'' (2006) ==External links== {{sisterlinks|Gabon}} ;Government *[http://www.legabon.org Le Gabon : official site of the Gabonese Republic] *[http://www.assemblee.ga/ Assemblée Nationale du Gabon] official site *[http://gabon.embassyhomepage.com/ Gabonese Embassy in London] government information and links *{{fr icon}} [http://www.senat.ga/ Le Sénat de la République Gabonaise] official site *{{fr icon}} [http://www.louisgastonmayila.com/ UNPR Louis Gaston Mayila : Official Site] political opposition party UNPR ;News *[http://gaboneco.com Gaboneco.com - ''Gabon''] news headline links *[http://allafrica.com/gabon/ AllAfrica.com - ''Gabon''] news headline links *[http://www.bloomberg.com/news/regions/africa.html Bloomberg Africa - ''Gabon''] news headline links ;Overviews *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1023203.stm BBC News Country Profile - ''Gabon''] *[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/gb.html CIA World Factbook - ''Gabon''] ;Culture *[http://www.gabonart.com The official site of the Arts, Traditions and Culture of Gabon - Discover the first Virtual Museum of the arts and traditions] *[http://www.arts.uwa.edu.au/AFLIT/CountryGabonEN.html#clien Gabonese literature at a glance] ;Ethnic groups *[http://www.pygmies.info/ Baka Pygmies of Cameroon and Gabon] Culture and music of the first inhabitants of Gabon *[[Bakota|Bakota/Kota ethnic group in Gabon]] Bakota/Kota ethnic group in northeastern Gabon *[[Fang language|Fang ethnic group in Gabon]] Info about the Fang ethnic group ;Directories *[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/Gabon/ Open Directory Project - ''Gabon''] directory category *[http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/gabon.html Stanford University - Africa South of the Sahara: ''Gabon''] directory category *[http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/Gabon.html University of Pennsylvania - African Studies Center: ''Gabon''] directory category *[http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Gabon/ Yahoo! - ''Gabon''] directory category ;Tourism *[http://www.gabonart.com The Travel Book – Destination Gabon] *{{wikitravel}} ==References== {{reflist}} {{Template group |title = Geographic locale |list = {{Countries of Africa}} }} {{Template group |title = International membership |list = {{OIC}} {{Member states of the African Union}} {{South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone}} {{La Francophonie}} {{Niger-Congo-speaking}} }} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Gabon| ]]<!--The indexing for this category should be a blank space (" ") as this article is its main article.--> [[Category:African Union member states]] [[Category:Member states of La Francophonie]] [[Category:French-speaking countries]] <!--Other languages--> [[af:Gaboen]] [[als:Gabun]] [[am:ጋቦን]] [[ar:الغابون]] [[an:Gabón]] [[frp:Gabon]] [[ast:Gabón]] [[az:Qabon]] [[bm:Gabon]] [[bn:গাবন]] [[zh-min-nan:Gabon]] [[be:Габон]] [[be-x-old:Габон]] [[bcl:Gabon]] [[bs:Gabon]] [[br:Gabon]] [[bg:Габон]] [[ca:Gabon]] [[ceb:Gabon]] [[cs:Gabon]] [[cy:Gabon]] [[da:Gabon]] [[de:Gabun]] [[dv:ގެބޯން]] [[et:Gabon]] [[el:Γκαμπόν]] [[es:Gabón]] [[eo:Gabono]] [[eu:Gabon]] [[fa:گابن]] [[fr:Gabon]] [[ga:An Ghabúin]] [[gv:Gabon]] [[gd:Gabon]] [[gl:Gabón - Gabon]] [[ko:가봉]] [[hy:Գաբոն]] [[hr:Gabon]] [[io:Gabon]] [[ilo:Gabon]] [[bpy:গ্যাবন]] [[id:Gabon]] [[ia:Gabon]] [[ie:Gabon]] [[os:Габон]] [[is:Gabon]] [[it:Gabon]] [[he:גבון]] [[jv:Gabon]] [[pam:Gabon]] [[kn:ಗಬೊನ್]] [[ka:გაბონი]] [[kk:Ғабон]] [[kw:Gabon]] [[sw:Gabon]] [[kg:Ngabu]] [[ht:Gabon]] [[ku:Gabon]] [[la:Gabonia]] [[lv:Gabona]] [[lb:Gabun]] [[lt:Gabonas]] [[lij:Gabòn]] [[li:Gabon]] [[ln:Gabɔ́]] [[hu:Gabon]] [[ml:ഗാബോണ്‍]] [[ms:Gabon]] [[nah:Gabon]] [[nl:Gabon]] [[ja:ガボン]] [[no:Gabon]] [[nn:Gabon]] [[nov:Gabon]] [[oc:Gabon]] [[ps:ګابون]] [[pms:Gabòn]] [[nds:Gabun]] [[pl:Gabon]] [[pt:Gabão]] [[crh:Gabon]] [[ro:Gabon]] [[qu:Gabun]] [[ru:Габон]] [[se:Gabon]] [[sa:गाबोन]] [[sq:Gabonia]] [[scn:Gabon]] [[simple:Gabon]] [[sk:Gabon]] [[sl:Gabon]] [[sr:Габон]] [[sh:Gabon]] [[fi:Gabon]] [[sv:Gabon]] [[tl:Gabon]] [[ta:காபோன்]] [[th:ประเทศกาบอง]] [[vi:Gabon]] [[tg:Габон]] [[tpi:Gabon]] [[tr:Gabon]] [[uk:Габон]] [[vec:Gabon]] [[vo:Gabunän]] [[wo:Gaboŋ]] [[ts:Gabon]] [[yi:גאבאן]] [[yo:Gabon]] [[diq:Gabon]] [[zea:Gabon]] [[bat-smg:Gabuons]] [[zh:加蓬]]