République Gabonaise

Political Status: Independent since August 17, 1960; present constitution, providing for “semi-presidential” regime, adopted March 14, 1991.

Area: 103,346 sq. mi. (267,667 sq. km.).

Population: 1,014,976 (1993C). Despite the 1993 figure, recent estimates vary widely, the Africa Research Bulletin in early 1995 suggesting a total of 800,000, while the UN had previously assumed a figure of 1,237,000 for 1992. Based on recent UN estimates, the 2007 total should be approximately 1,441,000.

Major Urban Center (2005E): LIBREVILLE (metropolitan area, 659,000).

Official Language: French.

Monetary Unit: CFA Franc (official rate November 1, 2008: 517.30 francs = $1US). The CFA franc, previously pegged to the French franc, is now permanently pegged to the euro at 655.957 CFA francs = 1 euro.

President: El Hadj Omar (formerly Albert-Bernard) BONGO Ondimba; elected vice president ...