17 Facts You May Not Know About Gabon:

17 Facts You May Not Know About Gabon:

1 Gabon has one of the highest urbanization rates in Africa, with over 80% of the population living in cities.
2 It is one of the most forested countries in the world, with forests covering approximately 85% of the land.
3 The country gained independence from France in 1960.
4 Gabon is rich in biodiversity, home to large populations of forest elephants and gorillas.
5 The capital, Libreville, means “Freetown” in French.
6 Gabon has significant oil reserves and oil accounts for a large part of its GDP.
7 The country hosts the world’s largest intact tropical rainforest reserve, Lopé-Okanda.
8 Gabon has a low population density with about 2 million people.
9 It is one of the few countries where over half of the land is covered by national parks.
10 The Gabonese cuisine includes dishes like nyembwe chicken and manioc.
11 Gabon is known for its Bwiti spiritual practice and iboga ceremonies.
12 French is the official language, and Fang is widely spoken.
13 The country has a high literacy rate compared to other African nations.
14 Gabon has a stable political environment and has been relatively peaceful since independence.
15 It is a member of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.
16 Gabon is one of the most prosperous countries in Africa in terms of GDP per capita.
17 It is a leader in environmental conservation, with plans to transition to a green economy.