Gabon: flag, capital, currency and history
Gabon, officially the Gabonese Republic, is a country in Middle Africa, Africa. Its capital is Libreville. The currency is the Central African CFA franc. Languages spoken include French.
Quick facts about Gabon
- Official name
- Gabonese Republic
- Capital
- Libreville
- Region
- Africa, Middle Africa
- Currency
- Central African CFA franc (XAF, Fr)
- Languages
- French
- Calling code
- +241
- Internet domain
- .ga
- Area
- 267,668 km² (103,347 sq mi)
- Land borders
- Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea
- Demonym
- Gabonese
- National day
- Independence Day, August 17
Flag of Gabon
Download the flag of Gabon as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇬🇦.
History of Gabon
Gabon was inhabited by Bantu-speaking peoples, including the Fang and Myene, when Portuguese navigators reached the coast in the fifteenth century. Coastal trade, including the slave trade, developed over the following centuries. France established a presence from 1839 and extended control inland, and Gabon became part of French Equatorial Africa. It gained independence on 17 August 1960. Omar Bongo led the country from 1967 until his death in 2009. Gabon adopted multiparty politics in the early 1990s, and a military takeover occurred in 2023. Libreville is its capital.
Key dates
- 15th centuryPortuguese navigators reach the Gabon estuary.
- 1839France signs its first treaty with a coastal ruler, beginning its presence.
- 1849Libreville is founded as a settlement for freed slaves.
- 1910Gabon becomes part of French Equatorial Africa.
- 1960Gabon becomes independent from France on 17 August.
- 1990Multiparty politics is introduced following a national conference.
A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.
Currency of Gabon
Gabon uses the Central African CFA franc (XAF, Fr). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Gabon?
The capital of Gabon is Libreville.
What currency does Gabon use?
Gabon uses the Central African CFA franc (XAF, symbol Fr).
What languages are spoken in Gabon?
Languages used in Gabon include French.
What is the calling code of Gabon?
The international calling code of Gabon is +241. Its internet domain is .ga.
Which countries border Gabon?
Gabon shares land borders with Cameroon, Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea.
On which continent is Gabon?
Gabon is in Africa, in the region of Middle Africa.
What is the national day of Gabon?
Gabon marks Independence Day on August 17.
Neighbours of Gabon
More countries in Middle Africa
Country data from the open mledoze/countries dataset (ODbL), with corrections. Flags from flag-icons (MIT).