Gabon Travel Guide

Gabon — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: West Coast of Central Africa.
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.
Area: 267,667 sq km (103,347 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 1.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Population: 1.4 million (UN estimate 2005).
Population Density: 5.2 per sq km.
Capital City: Libreville. Population: 673,995 (2005).
Government: Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Paul Biyoghe Mba, since 2009.
Head of State: President Omar Albert Bernard Bongo since 1967.
Religion: About 60% Christian (mainly Roman Catholic), the remainder follow Muslim and animist beliefs.

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.

Communications

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.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.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
12 Mar Renovation Day
17 Apr Women’s Day
22 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
6 May Martyrs’ Day
13 Jun Whit Monday
15 Aug Assumption
16 Aug - 17 Aug Independence Days
30 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
6 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
12 Mar Renovation Day
17 Apr Women’s Day
25 Apr Easter Monday
1 May Labor Day
6 May Martyrs’ Day
28 May Whit Monday
15 Aug Assumption
16 Aug - 17 Aug Independence Days
19 Aug Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
25 Oct Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
1 Nov All Saints’ Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
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