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Gabon Story
Attractions
Background
Gabon Map
Photos A
Photos B

Air Gabon
Air Routes
Airline History
Air Fleet
Air Service
Reservations
Visitor Info


OUR TOURISM ATTRACTIONS

GEOGRAPHY PLUS

Did you know that we are truly located exactly at the center of the world! Look on the map, and you will see that where 0º longitude/latitude/Greenwich meantime all meet, is located right outside Libreville, in the town of Booue.

TOURISM

Straddling the Equator, Gabon is three -quarters tropical rain forests, crisscrossed by an extensive network of navigable rivers. From Libreville, our Atlantic coastline stretches on for miles, a serene paradise of unspoiled beaches and secluded coves.

Other attractions include wildlife preserves and jungle expeditions, modern cities and urban facilities, lively night life and thrilling casinos, deep-sea fishing and diving, friendly people and some of West Africa's most creative cultures and prolific artisans.

NATURE

We are home to more than 70,000 forest elephants (more than one tenth of the entire African population!), who are protected both politically and naturally by dense foliage. Our forests and jungles are alive with animals: chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, buffaloes, hippos, antelopes, lemurs, and too many species of tropical birds to count!

The Réserve de la Lopé is not far from Libreville &endash; a mosaic of forests and savannas, mountains and waterfalls that offer a quick sampling of our wildlife and natural splendors.

NOBEL PEACE

In Lamberene, Albert Schweitzer (missionary, physician, philosopher,ex-theologian, and Nobel Peace Prize winner) settled and established the hospital that still bears his name. He made his extraordinary humanitarian dream come true by providing health care for the Gabonese people. Visitors are inspired by the combination of his devotion to the country, and imagination and ingenuity in building his home and hospital.

SHOPPING

We are most renowned for our traditional masks and soapstone sculptures, all inspired by centuries of ethnic history and tribal cultures. The masks range from carved wooden replicas of the face to large head dresses and helmets covering the entire head. Three of the most famous types are the heart-shaped, red, white or black painted Fang masks, expressing serenity or caricatures; the abstract and symmetrical Bakota masks, decorated with animal or leopard spotted designs; and the Bateke masks, which depict the face using flat, square shapes with rounded edges or design-covered, circular shapes.

The M'Bigou sculptures are exquisitely carved small statues or heads from the soft grey, green and brown tinted soapstone of the M'Biguo region. They take their form from traditional Bakwele and Bandjabi carvings. (You just might need to buy another suitcase in Libreville!)

MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS

On board any of our flights, one will find any number of business travelers. Not surprising. We are fast growing into an important business destination and a promising place for investors.

 

Gabon is:

- One of Africa's most credit-worthy nations

- A major producer of oil and timber (including ebony, mahogany, and Okoume)

- The world's third-largest producer of manganese

(with one quarter of the planet's reserves in Gabon)

- The fourth largest producer of uranium

Gabon has:

- Attractive investment opportunities

- Favorable economic climate

- Far-reaching development projects

- Large- and small-market economies

- Sub-Saharan Africa's highest per capita income

- Advanced telecommunications systems