Gabon Country & Tourist Information

Location
West Coast of Central Africa.

Area
267,667 sq km (103,347 sq miles).

Population
1.4 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
5.2 per sq km.

Capital
Libreville.
Population: 673,995 (2005).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960.

Language
The official language is French. The principal African language is Fang. Eshira is spoken by a tenth of the population. Bantu dialects spoken include Bapounou, Miene and Bateke.

Religion
About 60% Christian (mainly Roman Catholic), the remainder follow Muslim and animist beliefs.

Time
GMT + 1.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Jean Eyeghe Ndong since 2006.

Head of State
President Omar Albert Bernard Bongo since 1967.

Recent History
From 1990, in common with much of the rest of Africa, President Omar Bongo and his government effected the transformation from a one-party state to a pluralistic political system. The 120-seat elected national assembly acquired genuine political power although it remains dominated by the Parti Démocratique Gabonais (PDG). The constitution was changed in 2003 allowing the president to run for office as many times as he likes. Omar Bongo was re-elected in 2005, winning 80% of the vote. He is the longest-serving African head of state.

Telephone
Country code: 241. No area codes required.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is variable.

Internet
Internet is increasingly available; there are a growing number of Internet cafes in Libreville.

Media
Mostly, Gabon’s media is government controlled and journalistic pressure is subtle but ever-present.


Post
Airmail from Gabon takes at least one week to Western Europe. Urgent letters should be sent by special delivery to ensure their safe arrival.

Post office hours: 0800-1200 and Mon-Fri 1430-1800.

Press
• The two daily newspapers are Gabon Matin and L’Union, published in French.
• There are several private weeklies, published mainly on the topics of the government and the economy.
• Official bulletins are published in French and have a limited circulation.

Radio
• There is a French-language radio network and a network of provincial stations.
• Africa No 1 is a Pan-African broadcaster based in Gabon, heard across Africa on shortwave and on FM relays in many cities.
• French concerns have a financial stake Radio France Internationale is available via an FM relay.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
12 Mar Renovation Day. 
13 Apr Easter Monday.
17 Apr Women's Day.
1 May Labor Day.
6 May Martyrs' Day. 
1 Jun Whit Monday.
15 Aug Assumption.
16-17 Aug Independence Days. 
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
1 Nov All Saints' Day. 
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
12 Mar Renovation Day. 
5 Apr Easter Monday.
17 Apr Women's Day.
1 May Labor Day.
6 May Martyrs' Day. 
24 May Whit Monday.
15 Aug Assumption.
16-17 Aug Independence Days. 
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
1 Nov All Saints' Day. 
17 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information:

Center Gabonais de Promotion Touristique (GABONTOUR)
Street address: 622 Avenue du Colonel Parant, Center Ville, Libreville, Gabon
Postal address: BP 2085, Libreville, Gabon
Tel: 728 504 or 723 949.
Website: www.gabontour.ga

Embassy of the Gabonese Republic in the UK
27 Elvaston Place, London SW7 5NL, UK
Tel: (020) 7823 9986.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1500.

Embassy of the Gabonese Republic in the USA
2034 20th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 797 1000.
Website: www.ambagabonusa.net 


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