République Gabonaise

Note: President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba died on June 8, 2009. Bongo’s son Ali Ben Bongo Ondimba was elected in disputed presidential balloting on August 30. Following a recount that began on September 29, the Constitutional Court ruled on October 12 that Bongo was the winner. He was sworn in on October 16 and formed a new, smaller government on October 17.

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: 1,269,000 (2003C); 1,351,000 (2008E).

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

Official Language: French.

Monetary Unit: CFA Franc (official rate December 1, 2009: 434.59 francs = $1US). The CFA franc, previously pegged to the French franc, is now permanently pegged ...