Gabon

Many nature lovers consider Gabon an exotic tropical gem. Wildlife-rich forests cover 70% of Gabon’s landmass, its vast picturesque Atlantic coastline is predominantly wild and unspoiled, and its inland and coastal waters teem with fish, reptiles and marine mammals. Tourism in Gabon remains relatively undeveloped, as the oil and logging industries have traditionally provided ample external revenue and employment opportunities. But the government of Gabon has become increasingly interested in tourism as a means of developing its vast natural resources in an ecologically and economically viable and sustainable fashion. The current president of Gabon, Omar Bongo, recently signed a decree creating some 13 new national parks in Gabon. Their combined land area is equal to 10% of Gabon’s total landmass. In 2005, Bongo was re-elected to another 7 year term.

The 500 mile-long sandy costal strip is a series of palm-fringed bays, lagoons, and estuaries. The lush tropical vegetation (which covers about 82% of the interior) gives way in parts to the savannah. The many rivers remain the main communication routes along which settlements have grown. Of the 40 or so Bantu tribes, the largest are the Fang, Eshira, Mbele, and Okande. The population is concentrated in the coastal areas and villages along the banks of Gabon's many rivers, following a more traditional rural style of life, and only a small percentage of native Gabonese live in towns.