Attribute | Value |
---|---|
Geography | |
Area | 267,667 km² |
Continent | Africa |
Land area | 257,667 km² |
Water area | 10,000 km² |
Land boundaries | 3,261 km |
Border countries |
|
Coastline | 885 km |
Mean elevation | 377 m |
Lowest point | 0 m |
Highest point | 1,575 m |
People | |
Population | 2,230,908 |
Official languages |
|
Religion | Roman Catholic |
Government | |
Long country name | Gabonese Republic |
Short country name | Gabon |
Long local name | Republique Gabonaise |
Short local name | Gabon |
Former name | Add |
Government type | Presidential republic |
Capital | Libreville |
Economy | |
GDP (PPP) | 36,660,000,000 USD |
GDP (OER) | 14,930,000,000 USD |
GDP (real growth rate) | 0.5 % |
GDP - per capita (PPP) | 18,100 USD |
Gross national saving | 25.6 % of GDP |
Labor force | 557,800 |
Unemployment rate | 28 % |
Population below poverty line | 34.3 % |
Budget revenues | 2,634,000,000 USD |
Budget expenditures | 2,914,000,000 USD |
Military expenditures | 1.53 % of GDP |
Taxes and other revenues | 17.6 % of GDP |
Budget surplus or deficit | -1.9 % of GDP |
Public debt | 62.7 % of GDP |
Inflation rate | 2.7 % |
Central bank discount rate | 3 % |
Commercial bank prime lending rate | 15 % |
Stock of narrow money | 2,357,000,000 USD |
Stock of broad money | 2,357,000,000 USD |
Stock of domestic credit | 2,910,000,000 USD |
Market value of publicly traded shares | Add |
Current account balance | -725,000,000 USD |
Exports | 5,564,000,000 USD |
Imports | 2,829,000,000 USD |
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold | 981,600,000 USD |
External debt | 6,490,000,000 USD |
National currency | Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs |
National currency (code) | XAF |
National currency (symbol) | FCFA |
National currency rate to USD | 605.3 |
Following, independence from France in 1960, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-ruling heads of state in the world - dominated the country's political scene for four decades (1967-2009). President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in December 2002 and the presidential election in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Following President BONGO's death in 2009, a new election brought his son, Ali BONGO Ondimba, to power. Despite constrained political conditions, Gabon's small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make it one of the more stable African countries.President Ali BONGO Ondimba’s controversial August 2016 reelection sparked unprecedented opposition protests that resulted in the burning of the parliament building. The election was contested by the opposition after fraudulent results were flagged by international election observers. Gabon’s Constitutional Court reviewed the election results but ruled in favor of President BONGO, upholding his win and extending his mandate to 2023.