Gabon

Gabon is a country on the west coast of Central Africa. Located on the equator, Gabon is adjacent to Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, the Republic of Congo to the east and south, and the Gulf of Guinea to the west. It covers an area of ​​approximately 270,000 square kilometers (100,000 square miles) and is estimated to have a population of 2.1 million. There are three different regions: the coastal plain, the mountains (central Crystal Mountains and Child Massif), and the eastern savanna. The largest city in the capital of Gabon is Libreville. The official language is French.

Originally settled by the Pygmy, it was replaced and absorbed by the Bantu as they migrated. By the 18th century, a Mieni-speaking kingdom known as the Kingdom of Orungu was formed in Gabon. The ability to buy and sell slaves has made it a powerful trading center. The kingdom collapsed with the end of the slave trade in the 1870s. Since independence from France in 1960, Gabon's sovereign state has had three presidents. In the early 1990s, Gabon introduced a multi-party system and a new democratic constitution, enabling a more transparent election process and reforming many government agencies.

With abundant oil and foreign private investment, Gabon has become one of the most prosperous countries in sub-Saharan Africa, with the region's fifth highest HDI (after Mauritius, Saychel, Botswana and Southern Africa). Fifth highest per capita GDP (PPP) across Africa (after Saychel, Mauritius, Equatorial Guinea, Botswana). Its GDP grew by more than 6% each year from 2010 to 2012. However, due to inequality in income distribution, a significant proportion of the population remains poor.

Gabon is rich in folklore and myths. The Raconteurs make use of traditions such as Muvet between fangs and Inwara among Nzabi. Gabon is also known for masks such as n'goltang and Kota's reliquary. Musically, Gabon boasts a variety of folk styles, with some singers performing in non-traditional styles such as Patience Dabany and Annie-Flore Batchiellilys. Also known are guitarists and singers Oliver N'Goma, such as Georges Oyendze, La Rose Mbadou and Sylvain Avara. Gabon's folk instruments include Obara, Ngonbi, Balafon, and traditional drums.