With its 1,545,255 people Gabon is the 149th largest country in the world by population. It is the 76th largest country by area with 267,667 square kilometers. Until recently, only two autocratic presidents had ruled Gabon since its independence from France in 1960. The recent president of Gabon, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - had dominated the country's political scene for four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, allegations of electoral fraud during local elections in 2002-03 and the presidential elections in 2005 exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. President BONGO died in June 2009. New elections in August 2009 brought Ali Ben BONGO, son of the former president, to power. Despite political conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous and stable African countries. In January 2010, Gabon assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2010-11 term.
Check out the recommended reading list below for great sources of information on Gabon.
Cameroon 1:1,500,000 and Gabon 1:950,000 Travel Map
ITM Canada
Gabon: Including its History, The Ogooué, The Ivindo River, and More
Renee Browning
Gabon, Sao Tome & Principe: The Bradt Travel Guide
Sophie Warne
Gabon Country Study Guide (World Country Study Guide
Ibp Usa
Gabon and Equitorial Guinea Map by ITMB (Travel Reference Map)
ITMB Publishing
Gabon 1:1,000,000 & Libreville Travel Map IGN
IGN France
Gabon Map (French Edition)
Institut Geographique National
Atlas du Gabon (French Edition)
Danielle Ben Yahmed
Last Place on Earth (v. 1&2)
Mike Fay
Gabon Foreign Policy And Government Guide
Ibp Usa
