Gabon Map

Gabon Map



Location: Western Africa, bordering the Atlantic Ocean at the Equator, between Republic of the Congo and Equatorial Guinea

Geographic coordinates: 1 00 S, 11 45 E

Map references: Africa

Area: Total: 267,667 sq km land: 257,667 sq km water: 10,000 sq km

Area - comparative: Slightly smaller than Colorado

Land boundaries: Total: 2,551 km border countries: Cameroon 298 km, Republic of the Congo 1,903 km, Equatorial Guinea 350 km

Coastline: 885 km

Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate: Tropical; always hot, humid

Terrain: Narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south

Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Iboundji 1,575 m

Natural resources: Petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower

Land use: Arable land: 1.26% permanent crops: 0.66% other: 98.08% (2001)

Irrigated land: 150 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: NA

Environment - current issues: Deforestation; poaching

Environment - international agreements: Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geography - note: A small population and oil and mineral reserves have helped Gabon become one of Africa's wealthier countries; in general, these circumstances have allowed the country to maintain and conserve its pristine rain forest and rich biodiversity