Through its control of the slave trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, it was able to become the most powerful of the trading centers that developed in Gabon during that period. On February 10, 1722, Bartholomew Roberts, Barti Ddu, a Welsh pirate known in English as Black Bart, died at sea off Cape Lopez.
He raided ships off the Americas and West Africa from 1719 to 1722. === Colonial Era (1885–1960) === French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza led his first mission to the Gabon-Congo area in 1875.
The kingdom fell with the demise of the slave trade in the 1870s.
He raided ships off the Americas and West Africa from 1719 to 1722. === Colonial Era (1885–1960) === French explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza led his first mission to the Gabon-Congo area in 1875.
Several Bantu groups lived in the area that is now Gabon when France officially occupied it in 1885. In 1910, Gabon became one of the four territories of French Equatorial Africa, a federation that survived until 1958.
Historical and environmental factors caused Gabon's population to decline between 1900 and 1940.
Several Bantu groups lived in the area that is now Gabon when France officially occupied it in 1885. In 1910, Gabon became one of the four territories of French Equatorial Africa, a federation that survived until 1958.
A vivid description of taboos and magic is provided by Schweitzer. === Health === Most of the health services of Gabon are public, but there are some private institutions, of which the best known is the hospital established in 1913 in Lambaréné by Albert Schweitzer.
Historical and environmental factors caused Gabon's population to decline between 1900 and 1940.
Several Bantu groups lived in the area that is now Gabon when France officially occupied it in 1885. In 1910, Gabon became one of the four territories of French Equatorial Africa, a federation that survived until 1958.
Since its independence from France in 1960, the sovereign state of Gabon has had three presidents.
Gabon has a domestic supply of pharmaceuticals from a factory in Libreville. The total fertility rate has decreased from 5.8 in 1960 to 4.2 children per mother during childbearing years in 2000.
Of the five hotly contested seats, the PDG won three and the UN won two; both sides claimed victory. In January 2019, there was an attempted coup d'état led by soldiers against the President Ali Bongo; the coup ultimately failed. == Government and politics == Gabon is a republic with a presidential form of government under the 1961 constitution (revised in 1975, rewritten in 1991, and revised in 2003).
Several periodicals actively criticize the government and foreign publications are widely available. === Cuisine === Gabonese cuisine is influenced by French cuisine, but staple foods are also available. ===Sports=== The Gabon national football team has represented the nation since 1962.
However, when M'ba dissolved the National Assembly in January 1964 to institute one-party rule, an army coup sought to oust him from power and restore parliamentary democracy.
When M'Ba died in 1967, Bongo replaced him as president. In March 1968, Bongo declared Gabon a one-party state by dissolving the BDG and establishing a new party—the Parti Democratique Gabonais (PDG).
When M'Ba died in 1967, Bongo replaced him as president. In March 1968, Bongo declared Gabon a one-party state by dissolving the BDG and establishing a new party—the Parti Democratique Gabonais (PDG).
The site was discovered during uranium mining in the 1970s to supply the French nuclear power industry. Gabon's largest river is the Ogooué which is long.
The Grondin Oil Field was discovered in water depths offshore, in 1971 and produces from the Batanga sandstones of Maastrichtian age forming an anticline salt structural trap which is about deep. Gabonese public expenditures from the years of significant oil revenues were not spent efficiently.
The Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang plays for the Gabon national team. The Gabon national basketball team, nicknamed Les Panthères, finished 8th at the AfroBasket 2015, its best performance ever. Gabon has competed at most Summer Olympics since 1972.
Bongo was elected president in February 1975; in April 1975, the position of vice president was abolished and replaced by the position of prime minister, who had no right to automatic succession.
Of the five hotly contested seats, the PDG won three and the UN won two; both sides claimed victory. In January 2019, there was an attempted coup d'état led by soldiers against the President Ali Bongo; the coup ultimately failed. == Government and politics == Gabon is a republic with a presidential form of government under the 1961 constitution (revised in 1975, rewritten in 1991, and revised in 2003).
Bongo was re-elected President in both December 1979 and November 1986 to 7-year terms. In early 1990 economic discontent and a desire for political liberalization provoked violent demonstrations and strikes by students and workers.
In 1981, a commercial radio station, Africa No.
By 1985 there were 28 hospitals, 87 medical centers, and 312 infirmaries and dispensaries.
Bongo was re-elected President in both December 1979 and November 1986 to 7-year terms. In early 1990 economic discontent and a desire for political liberalization provoked violent demonstrations and strikes by students and workers.
Bongo was re-elected President in both December 1979 and November 1986 to 7-year terms. In early 1990 economic discontent and a desire for political liberalization provoked violent demonstrations and strikes by students and workers.
In addition, he promised to open up the PDG and to organize a national political conference in March–April 1990 to discuss Gabon's future political system.
Participants essentially divided into two loose coalitions, the ruling PDG and its allies, and the United Front of Opposition Associations and Parties, consisting of the breakaway Morena Fundamental and the Gabonese Progress Party. The April 1990 conference approved sweeping political reforms, including creation of a national Senate, decentralization of the budgetary process, freedom of assembly and press, and cancellation of an exit visa requirement.
The RSDG drafted a provisional constitution in May 1990 that provided a basic bill of rights and an independent judiciary but retained strong executive powers for the president.
After further review by a constitutional committee and the National Assembly, this document came into force in March 1991. Opposition to the PDG continued after the April 1990 conference, however, and in September 1990, two coup d'état attempts were uncovered and aborted.
Despite anti-government demonstrations after the untimely death of an opposition leader, the first multiparty National Assembly elections in almost 30 years took place in September–October 1990, with the PDG garnering a large majority. Following President Omar Bongo's re-election in December 1993 with 51% of the vote, opposition candidates refused to validate the election results.
The Senate was created in the 1990–1991 constitutional revision, although it was not brought into being until after the 1997 local elections.
The President of the Senate is next in succession to the President. Despite the democratic system of government, the Freedom in the World report lists Gabon as "not free", and elections in 2016 have been disputed. === Political culture === In 1990, the government made major changes to Gabon's political system.
A transitional constitution was drafted in May 1990 as an outgrowth of the national political conference in March–April and later revised by a constitutional committee.
Multiparty legislative elections were held in 1990–91, despite the fact that opposition parties had not been declared formally legal.
The small processing and service sectors that do exist are largely dominated by a few prominent local investors. At World Bank and IMF insistence, the government embarked in the 1990s on a program of privatization of its state-owned companies and administrative reform, including reducing public sector employment and salary growth, but progress has been slow.
After further review by a constitutional committee and the National Assembly, this document came into force in March 1991. Opposition to the PDG continued after the April 1990 conference, however, and in September 1990, two coup d'état attempts were uncovered and aborted.
Of the five hotly contested seats, the PDG won three and the UN won two; both sides claimed victory. In January 2019, there was an attempted coup d'état led by soldiers against the President Ali Bongo; the coup ultimately failed. == Government and politics == Gabon is a republic with a presidential form of government under the 1961 constitution (revised in 1975, rewritten in 1991, and revised in 2003).
Among its provisions were a Western-style bill of rights, creation of a National Council of Democracy to oversee the guarantee of those rights, a governmental advisory board on economic and social issues, and an independent judiciary. After approval by the National Assembly, the PDG Central Committee, and the President, the Assembly unanimously adopted the constitution in March 1991.
In January 1991, the Assembly passed by unanimous vote a law governing the legalization of opposition parties. After President Omar Bongo was re-elected in 1993, in a disputed election where only 51% of votes were cast, social and political disturbances led to the 1994 Paris Conference and Accords.
Despite anti-government demonstrations after the untimely death of an opposition leader, the first multiparty National Assembly elections in almost 30 years took place in September–October 1990, with the PDG garnering a large majority. Following President Omar Bongo's re-election in December 1993 with 51% of the vote, opposition candidates refused to validate the election results.
While Bongo's major opponents rejected the outcome as fraudulent, some international observers characterized the results as representative despite many perceived irregularities, and there were none of the civil disturbances that followed the 1993 election.
In January 1991, the Assembly passed by unanimous vote a law governing the legalization of opposition parties. After President Omar Bongo was re-elected in 1993, in a disputed election where only 51% of votes were cast, social and political disturbances led to the 1994 Paris Conference and Accords.
These talks led to the Paris Accords in November 1994, under which several opposition figures were included in a government of national unity.
In January 1991, the Assembly passed by unanimous vote a law governing the legalization of opposition parties. After President Omar Bongo was re-elected in 1993, in a disputed election where only 51% of votes were cast, social and political disturbances led to the 1994 Paris Conference and Accords.
Overspending on the Trans-Gabon Railway, the CFA franc devaluation of 1994, and periods of low oil prices caused serious debt problems that still plague the country. Gabon earned a poor reputation with the Paris Club and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) over the management of its debt and revenues.
In 1995, Gabon withdrew from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), rejoining in 2016.
This arrangement soon broke down, however, and the 1996 and 1997 legislative and municipal elections provided the background for renewed partisan politics.
Local and legislative elections were delayed until 1996–97.
This arrangement soon broke down, however, and the 1996 and 1997 legislative and municipal elections provided the background for renewed partisan politics.
The PDG won a landslide victory in the legislative election, but several major cities, including Libreville, elected opposition mayors during the 1997 local election. Facing a divided opposition, President Omar Bongo coasted to easy re-election in December 1998, with large majorities of the vote.
The Senate was created in the 1990–1991 constitutional revision, although it was not brought into being until after the 1997 local elections.
In 1997, constitutional amendments put forward years earlier were adopted to create the Senate and the position of vice president, as well as to extend the president's term to seven years. In October 2009, newly elected President Ali Bongo Ondimba began efforts to streamline the government.
Oil production is currently declining rapidly from its high point of 370,000 barrels per day in 1997.
The PDG won a landslide victory in the legislative election, but several major cities, including Libreville, elected opposition mayors during the 1997 local election. Facing a divided opposition, President Omar Bongo coasted to easy re-election in December 1998, with large majorities of the vote.
The maternal mortality rate was 520 per 100,000 live births as of 1998.
Gabon played an important leadership role in the stability of Central Africa through involvement in mediation efforts in Chad, the Central African Republic, Angola, the Republic of the Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R.C.), and Burundi. In December 1999, through the mediation efforts of President Bongo, a peace accord was signed in the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) between the government and most leaders of an armed rebellion.
, there were an estimated 29 physicians per 100,000 people, and approximately 90% of the population had access to health care services. In 2000, 70% of the population had access to safe drinking water and 21% had adequate sanitation.
Gabon has a domestic supply of pharmaceuticals from a factory in Libreville. The total fertility rate has decreased from 5.8 in 1960 to 4.2 children per mother during childbearing years in 2000.
In 2002 the gross primary enrollment rate was 132 percent, and in 2000 the net primary enrollment rate was 78 percent.
Peaceful though flawed legislative elections held in 2001–2002, which were boycotted by a number of smaller opposition parties and were widely criticized for their administrative weaknesses, produced a National Assembly almost completely dominated by the PDG and allied independents.
As of 2001, 69 percent of children who started primary school were likely to reach grade 5.
In 2002, President Omar Bongo Ondimba designated roughly 10% of the nation's territory to be part of its national park system (with 13 parks in total), one of the largest proportions of nature parkland in the world.
As of 2002, the overall mortality rate was estimated at 17.6 per 1,000 inhabitants. The HIV/AIDS prevalence is estimated to be 5.2% of the adult population (ages 15–49).
In 2002 the gross primary enrollment rate was 132 percent, and in 2000 the net primary enrollment rate was 78 percent.
The national press service is the Gabonese Press Agency, which publishes a daily paper, Gabon-Matin (circulation 18,000 as of 2002). L'Union in Libreville, the government-controlled daily newspaper, had an average daily circulation of 40,000 in 2002.
Of the five hotly contested seats, the PDG won three and the UN won two; both sides claimed victory. In January 2019, there was an attempted coup d'état led by soldiers against the President Ali Bongo; the coup ultimately failed. == Government and politics == Gabon is a republic with a presidential form of government under the 1961 constitution (revised in 1975, rewritten in 1991, and revised in 2003).
The president is elected by universal suffrage for a seven-year term; a 2003 constitutional amendment removed presidential term limits and facilitated a presidency for life.
There were an estimated 2,400 deaths from AIDS in 2009 – down from 3,000 deaths in 2003. === Education === Gabon's education system is regulated by two ministries: the Ministry of Education, in charge of pre-kindergarten through the last high school grade, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Innovative Technologies, in charge of universities, higher education, and professional schools. Education is compulsory for children ages 6 to 16 under the Education Act.
In 2003, there were an estimated 488 radios and 308 television sets for every 1,000 people.
Also in 2003, there were 22.4 personal computers for every 1,000 people and 26 of every 1,000 people had access to the Internet.
The most powerful radio station on the continent, it has participation from the French and Gabonese governments and private European media. In 2004, the government operated two radio stations and another seven were privately owned.
In November 2005 President Omar Bongo was elected for his sixth term.
However, in September 2005 Gabon successfully concluded a 15-month Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF.
In 2005, the infant mortality rate was 55.35 per 1,000 live births and life expectancy was 55.02 years.
There were some instances of violence following the announcement of his win, but Gabon generally remained peaceful. National Assembly elections were held again in December 2006.
Several seats contested because of voting irregularities were overturned by the Constitutional Court, but the subsequent run-off elections in early 2007 again yielded a PDG-controlled National Assembly. On June 8, 2009, President Omar Bongo died of cardiac arrest at a Spanish hospital in Barcelona, ushering in a new era in Gabonese politics.
Another 3-year Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF was approved in May 2007.
A National Geographic Expedition visited the caves in the summer of 2008 to document them. Gabon is also noted for efforts to preserve the natural environment.
Several seats contested because of voting irregularities were overturned by the Constitutional Court, but the subsequent run-off elections in early 2007 again yielded a PDG-controlled National Assembly. On June 8, 2009, President Omar Bongo died of cardiac arrest at a Spanish hospital in Barcelona, ushering in a new era in Gabonese politics.
In accordance with the amended constitution, Rose Francine Rogombé, the President of the Senate, became Interim President on June 10, 2009.
The first contested elections in Gabon's history that did not include Omar Bongo as a candidate were held on August 30, 2009 with 18 candidates for president.
Omar Bongo's son, ruling party leader Ali Bongo Ondimba, was formally declared the winner after a 3-week review by the Constitutional Court; his inauguration took place on October 16, 2009. The court's review had been prompted by claims of fraud by the many opposition candidates, with the initial announcement of election results sparking unprecedented violent protests in Port-Gentil, the country's second-largest city and a long-time bastion of opposition to PDG rule.
In 1997, constitutional amendments put forward years earlier were adopted to create the Senate and the position of vice president, as well as to extend the president's term to seven years. In October 2009, newly elected President Ali Bongo Ondimba began efforts to streamline the government.
In November 2009, President Bongo Ondimba announced a new vision for the modernization of Gabon, called "Gabon Emergent".
Because of the financial crisis and social developments surrounding the death of President Omar Bongo and the elections, Gabon was unable to meet its economic goals under the Stand-By Arrangement in 2009.
There were an estimated 2,400 deaths from AIDS in 2009 – down from 3,000 deaths in 2003. === Education === Gabon's education system is regulated by two ministries: the Ministry of Education, in charge of pre-kindergarten through the last high school grade, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Innovative Technologies, in charge of universities, higher education, and professional schools. Education is compulsory for children ages 6 to 16 under the Education Act.
Its GDP grew by more than 6% per year from 2010 to 2012.
Gendarmes and the military were deployed to Port-Gentil to support the beleaguered police, and a curfew was in effect for more than three months. A partial legislative by-election was held in June 2010.
Gabon was elected to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for January 2010 through December 2011 and held the rotating presidency in March 2010. === Military === Gabon has a small, professional military of about 5,000 personnel, divided into army, navy, air force, gendarmerie, and police force.
Under this program, exports of raw timber have been banned, a government-wide census was held, the work day has been changed to eliminate a long midday break, and a national oil company was created. In provisional results, the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG) won 84 out of 120 parliamentary seats. On January 25, 2011, opposition leader André Mba Obame claimed the presidency, saying the country should be run by someone the people really wanted.
Gabon was elected to a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for January 2010 through December 2011 and held the rotating presidency in March 2010. === Military === Gabon has a small, professional military of about 5,000 personnel, divided into army, navy, air force, gendarmerie, and police force.
The Under-23 football team won the 2011 CAF U-23 Championship and qualified for the 2012 London Olympics.
Its GDP grew by more than 6% per year from 2010 to 2012.
In Gabon as of 2012, the literacy rate of its population ages 15 and above was 82%. The government has used oil revenue for school construction, paying teachers' salaries, and promoting education, including in rural areas.
The Under-23 football team won the 2011 CAF U-23 Championship and qualified for the 2012 London Olympics.
Gabon were joint hosts, along with Equatorial Guinea, of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, and the sole hosts of the competition's 2017 tournament.
The country's sole Olympic medalist is Anthony Obame, who won a silver medal in taekwondo at the 2012 Olympics, held in London. Gabon has excellent recreational fishing and is considered one of the best places in the world to catch Atlantic tarpon. == See also == Outline of Gabon Index of Gabon-related articles GA == References == == Bibliography == == External links == Gabon.
The Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang plays for the Gabon national team. The Gabon national basketball team, nicknamed Les Panthères, finished 8th at the AfroBasket 2015, its best performance ever. Gabon has competed at most Summer Olympics since 1972.
The President of the Senate is next in succession to the President. Despite the democratic system of government, the Freedom in the World report lists Gabon as "not free", and elections in 2016 have been disputed. === Political culture === In 1990, the government made major changes to Gabon's political system.
The UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, said that he recognized Ondimba as the only official Gabonese president. The 2016 presidential election was disputed, with very close official results reported.
In 1995, Gabon withdrew from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), rejoining in 2016.
Gabon were joint hosts, along with Equatorial Guinea, of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, and the sole hosts of the competition's 2017 tournament.
Gabon had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 9.07/10, ranking it 9th globally out of 172 countries. Natural resources include petroleum, magnesium, iron, gold, uranium, and forests. == Economy == Gabon's economy is dominated by oil.
Of the five hotly contested seats, the PDG won three and the UN won two; both sides claimed victory. In January 2019, there was an attempted coup d'état led by soldiers against the President Ali Bongo; the coup ultimately failed. == Government and politics == Gabon is a republic with a presidential form of government under the 1961 constitution (revised in 1975, rewritten in 1991, and revised in 2003).
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