Gabon
Gabon
- Capital
- Libreville
- Population
- 2,225,728
- Region
- Africa
- Languages
- French
Gabon is frequently referred to as Africa's Last Eden because roughly eighty-five percent of its land remains covered by dense, equatorial rainforest. Within the Loango National Park, visitors can witness the rare phenomenon of hippos and forest elephants wandering onto white sand beaches to surf in the Atlantic waves. The government has prioritized conservation by designating over ten percent of the nation's entire landmass as protected national park territory. This commitment helps preserve a vital sanctuary for the world's largest remaining population of western lowland gorillas.
Currency
The official currency is the Central African CFA franc, which uses the ISO code XAF. It was originally introduced in 1945 to spare French colonies from the devaluation of the French franc following World War II. Interestingly, while the currency is used by six different independent states, the banknotes feature unique identification letters and security designs specific to each issuing region.
Flag symbolism
The flag of Gabon consists of three horizontal bands of green, yellow, and blue. The green stripe represents the country's vast forest resources and the timber industry that has historically driven the economy. The center yellow stripe symbolizes the equator, which passes through the nation, as well as the warmth of the sun. The bottom blue stripe represents the Atlantic Ocean and the extensive coastal maritime activities that connect Gabon to the rest of the world.
Emblem history
The Gabonese coat of arms was designed by the famous Swiss heraldist Louis Mühlemann and adopted in 1963. It features two black panthers acting as supporters, which represent the vigilance and courage of the president as he protects the nation. An okoumé tree stands at the center of the shield, showcasing the importance of the timber trade to the country's identity. Above the shield, a Latin motto translates to 'United we progress,' while a ribbon below carries the French national motto 'Union, Work, Justice.'