Gabon

Gabon is a country on the west coast of Africa with 1½ million inhabitants. Neighboring countries are Equatorial Guinea, Congo and Cameroon. The republic has a coastline with the Atlantic ocean. The interior of Gabon is dominated by high plains covered with dense rainforest. In the northeast lies the Cristal Mountains. In the south and in the east there is savannah landscape. The coastal strip is characterized by beaches, bays and lagoons, with southern mangrove forests. There is a tropical climate with a rain and a dry season. The capital Libreville has 580,000 inhabitants. Sights are the Museum of art and traditions, the St-Michel church, the Peyrie gardens, the presidential palace, the arts and crafts center and the beaches of Pointe Denis and Ekwata Beach. Other cities are Franceville, Lambaréné, Mouila, Tchibanga, Makokou, Koulamoutou, Port-Gentil and Oyem. The UNESCO world heritage list includes the ecosystem and cultural landscape of Lopé-Okanda. Other sights include the 13 national parks, gorilla island of Evengue and the lake district.