Overview
Gabon, officially known as the Gabonese Republic, is a country located on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa, situated on the equator. It shares borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and the Republic of the Congo to the east and south, while the Gulf of Guinea lies to its west. The country covers an area of approximately 270,000 square kilometres (100,000 square miles) and has a population of around 2.3 million people, making it one of the more sparsely populated nations in the region.
Geography
Gabon's landscape is diverse, featuring coastal plains along the Atlantic, mountainous terrain in the interior, and savanna regions in the east. This varied topography, combined with its equatorial location, contributes to the country's rich natural environment and ecological diversity.
Capital and Major Cities
Libreville serves as both the capital and the largest city of Gabon. Positioned on the Atlantic coast, it functions as the country's principal center for politics, commerce, and culture.
Location and Regional Context
- Bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest
- Bordered by Cameroon to the north
- Bordered by the Republic of the Congo to the east and south
- Fronts the Gulf of Guinea to the west
This positioning places Gabon at a crossroads of Central African nations, giving it both maritime access via the Gulf of Guinea and overland connections to its neighboring countries.