Geography of Gabon

Geography of Gabon
République Gabonaise

Continent	Africa
Region	Central Africa
Coordinates	1°00′N11°45′E / 1.000°N 11.750°E / 1.000; 11.750
Area	Ranked 77th
• Total	267,667 km2 (103,347 sq mi)
• Land	96.3%
• Water	3.7%
Coastline	885 km (550 mi)
Highest point	Mont Bengoué, 1070 m (not Mont Iboundji as claimed by some authorities)
Lowest point	Atlantic Ocean, 0 m
Longest river	Ogooué River
Climate	Tropical monsoon ('Am'), Tropical savanna ('Aw'); always hot, humid
Terrain	narrow coastal plain; hilly interior; savanna in east and south
Natural resources	Petroleum, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, iron ore, hydropower
Environmental issues	deforestation, poaching

Gabon map of Köppen climate classification.

Satellite image of Gabon

Gabon is a country in Central Africa, lying along the Atlantic Ocean, just south of the Bight of Biafra.

Area and borders

Area

• Total: 267,668 km²
  • country rank in the world: 76th/77th
• Land: 257,670 km²
• Water: 10,000 km²

Area comparative

• Australia comparative: approximately ⁠1/6⁠ larger than Victoria
• Canada comparative: approximately ⁠2/3⁠ the size of Newfoundland and Labrador
• United Kingdom comparative: approximately ⁠1/10⁠ larger than the United Kingdom
• United States comparative: slightly smaller than Colorado
• EU comparative: approximately ⁠1/10⁠ smaller than Italy

Gabon has a total of 3,261 km of international boundaries. It borders Equatorial Guinea (335 km) and Cameroon (349 km) to the north and the Republic of the Congo (2,567 km) to the east and south. Gabon lies on the equator.

Maritime claims

• Territorial sea: 12 nmi (22 km)
• Contiguous zone: 24  nmi (44 km)
• Exclusive economic zone: 200 nmi (370 km)

Terrain

Land Use	(2012)
• Arable land	1.26%
• Permanent crops	0.66%
• Other	98.08%

Share of forest area in total land area, top countries (2021). Gabon has the fourth highest percentage of forest cover in the world.

Narrow coastal plain with patches of Central African mangroves; hilly interior; savanna in east and south. A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were 420 km² of tidal flats in Gabon, making it the 50th ranked country in terms of tidal flat area. ^[1]

• Irrigated land: 44.5 km² (2003)
• Total renewable water resources: 164 km³ (2011)

Environment

International agreements:

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

Forests

REDD+ reference levels and monitoring

Under the UNFCCC REDD+ framework, Gabon has submitted a national forest reference level (FRL). On the UNFCCC REDD+ Web Platform, Gabon's 2021 submission is listed as having an assessed reference level, and the platform also lists reported REDD+ results, a safeguards information summary, and a national REDD+ strategy. ^[2]

The first assessed FRL, technically assessed in 2021, covered all five REDD+ activities at national scale - reducing emissions from deforestation, reducing emissions from forest degradation, conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. Using a historical reference period of 2000-2009, the assessed FRL was -96,468,186 t CO2 eq per year, revised from -97,055,549 t CO2 eq per year in the original submission. ^[3] The technical assessment states that the benchmark included above-ground biomass, below-ground biomass, deadwood and litter, excluded soil organic carbon, and reported CO2 only. ^[3]

The same UNFCCC country page lists Gabon's reported REDD+ results for 2010-2018 against that assessed FRL, and records results-based payments from the Central African Forest Initiative for 2016 and 2017. ^[2]

Climate

The equatorial location of Gabon means that it has a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen Am) and a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw), with the temperature being hot year-round and humid, although the Benguela Current can moderate temperatures.

Climate data for Libreville (1961–1990)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	29.5 (85.1)	30.0 (86.0)	30.2 (86.4)	30.1 (86.2)	29.4 (84.9)	27.6 (81.7)	26.4 (79.5)	26.8 (80.2)	27.5 (81.5)	28.0 (82.4)	28.4 (83.1)	29.0 (84.2)	28.6 (83.5)
Daily mean °C (°F)	26.8 (80.2)	27.0 (80.6)	27.1 (80.8)	26.6 (79.9)	26.7 (80.1)	25.4 (77.7)	24.3 (75.7)	24.3 (75.7)	25.4 (77.7)	25.7 (78.3)	25.9 (78.6)	26.2 (79.2)	25.9 (78.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	24.1 (75.4)	24.0 (75.2)	23.9 (75.0)	23.1 (73.6)	24.0 (75.2)	23.2 (73.8)	22.1 (71.8)	21.8 (71.2)	23.2 (73.8)	23.4 (74.1)	23.4 (74.1)	23.4 (74.1)	23.3 (73.9)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	250.3 (9.85)	243.1 (9.57)	363.2 (14.30)	339.0 (13.35)	247.3 (9.74)	54.1 (2.13)	6.6 (0.26)	13.7 (0.54)	104.0 (4.09)	427.2 (16.82)	490.0 (19.29)	303.2 (11.94)	2,841.7 (111.88)
Average rainy days	17.9	14.8	19.5	19.2	16.0	3.7	1.7	4.9	14.5	25.0	22.6	17.6	177.4
Average relative humidity (%)	86	84	84	84	84	81	81	81	84	87	87	86	84
Mean monthly sunshine hours	175.2	176.8	176.9	176.8	159.5	130.6	119.2	90.4	95.9	112.9	134.6	167.8	1,716.6
Source: NOAA [4]

Climate data for Port-Gentil (1961–1990, extremes 1950–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	32.6 (90.7)	38.0 (100.4)	34.6 (94.3)	33.7 (92.7)	33.2 (91.8)	33.2 (91.8)	30.8 (87.4)	33.1 (91.6)	33.3 (91.9)	33.0 (91.4)	34.0 (93.2)	35.0 (95.0)	38.0 (100.4)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	29.5 (85.1)	30.2 (86.4)	30.3 (86.5)	30.0 (86.0)	29.0 (84.2)	26.7 (80.1)	25.9 (78.6)	27.4 (81.3)	27.7 (81.9)	28.3 (82.9)	28.6 (83.5)	29.0 (84.2)	28.5 (83.3)
Daily mean °C (°F)	26.9 (80.4)	27.3 (81.1)	27.3 (81.1)	27.1 (80.8)	26.6 (79.9)	24.4 (75.9)	23.5 (74.3)	24.7 (76.5)	25.4 (77.7)	25.9 (78.6)	26.1 (79.0)	26.5 (79.7)	26.0 (78.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	24.2 (75.6)	24.4 (75.9)	24.3 (75.7)	24.2 (75.6)	24.1 (75.4)	22.0 (71.6)	21.1 (70.0)	21.9 (71.4)	23.0 (73.4)	23.5 (74.3)	23.5 (74.3)	24.0 (75.2)	23.3 (73.9)
Record low °C (°F)	17.6 (63.7)	19.4 (66.9)	19.5 (67.1)	18.0 (64.4)	19.0 (66.2)	16.4 (61.5)	16.0 (60.8)	13.2 (55.8)	18.2 (64.8)	19.5 (67.1)	15.8 (60.4)	18.2 (64.8)	13.2 (55.8)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	247.8 (9.76)	177.8 (7.00)	266.8 (10.50)	299.3 (11.78)	150.6 (5.93)	11.5 (0.45)	3.4 (0.13)	5.0 (0.20)	31.8 (1.25)	179.9 (7.08)	352.2 (13.87)	227.1 (8.94)	1,953.2 (76.90)
Average precipitation days	14.8	12.7	16.4	15.5	10.2	0.9	0.5	3.4	9.0	17.4	19.6	13.9	134.3
Average relative humidity (%)	84	84	83	84	85	84	83	82	82	84	86	84	84
Mean monthly sunshine hours	150.4	160.8	154.5	151.5	147.8	156.3	163.1	135.3	125.7	116.1	115.1	147.2	1,723.8
Source 1: NOAA [5]
Source 2: Meteo Climat (record highs and lows) [6]

Climate data for Lambaréné (1961–1990)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	31.5 (88.7)	32.2 (90.0)	32.3 (90.1)	32.5 (90.5)	31.3 (88.3)	28.9 (84.0)	27.9 (82.2)	28.4 (83.1)	30.0 (86.0)	31.0 (87.8)	30.8 (87.4)	30.9 (87.6)	30.6 (87.1)
Daily mean °C (°F)	27.2 (81.0)	27.6 (81.7)	27.6 (81.7)	27.8 (82.0)	27.2 (81.0)	25.3 (77.5)	23.9 (75.0)	24.7 (76.5)	26.1 (79.0)	26.9 (80.4)	26.9 (80.4)	27.1 (80.8)	26.5 (79.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	22.9 (73.2)	22.9 (73.2)	22.8 (73.0)	23.1 (73.6)	23.1 (73.6)	21.7 (71.1)	19.9 (67.8)	20.9 (69.6)	22.2 (72.0)	22.8 (73.0)	23.0 (73.4)	23.2 (73.8)	22.4 (72.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	175.3 (6.90)	145.2 (5.72)	253.8 (9.99)	212.8 (8.38)	162.2 (6.39)	20.9 (0.82)	3.2 (0.13)	6.9 (0.27)	71.0 (2.80)	347.7 (13.69)	393.9 (15.51)	172.0 (6.77)	1,968.9 (77.52)
Average precipitation days	12.1	10.7	15.0	14.1	13.8	2.9	2.1	5.1	9.6	21.9	20.8	12.5	140.6
Average relative humidity (%)	83	81	81	81	83	84	82	81	80	81	83	84	82
Mean monthly sunshine hours	142.9	145.2	145.1	143.1	123.9	74.2	70.6	53.4	55.9	70.9	117.1	129.4	1,271.7
Source: NOAA [7]

Climate data for Makokou (1961–1990, extremes 1949–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	34.0 (93.2)	41.5 (106.7)	37.0 (98.6)	39.5 (103.1)	41.1 (106.0)	37.3 (99.1)	32.5 (90.5)	33.0 (91.4)	35.4 (95.7)	37.2 (99.0)	36.0 (96.8)	33.5 (92.3)	41.5 (106.7)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	29.2 (84.6)	30.1 (86.2)	30.5 (86.9)	30.5 (86.9)	29.8 (85.6)	27.7 (81.9)	25.8 (78.4)	26.6 (79.9)	28.7 (83.7)	29.2 (84.6)	28.7 (83.7)	27.6 (81.7)	28.7 (83.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)	24.4 (75.9)	24.9 (76.8)	25.2 (77.4)	25.3 (77.5)	24.8 (76.6)	23.4 (74.1)	22.2 (72.0)	22.5 (72.5)	24.0 (75.2)	24.4 (75.9)	24.1 (75.4)	23.5 (74.3)	24.1 (75.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	19.5 (67.1)	19.7 (67.5)	19.8 (67.6)	20.0 (68.0)	19.8 (67.6)	19.0 (66.2)	18.6 (65.5)	18.4 (65.1)	19.2 (66.6)	19.5 (67.1)	19.5 (67.1)	19.3 (66.7)	19.4 (66.9)
Record low °C (°F)	15.9 (60.6)	15.0 (59.0)	16.3 (61.3)	16.6 (61.9)	16.8 (62.2)	14.2 (57.6)	11.5 (52.7)	13.0 (55.4)	13.5 (56.3)	15.0 (59.0)	17.0 (62.6)	15.2 (59.4)	11.5 (52.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	88.1 (3.47)	106.9 (4.21)	190.0 (7.48)	206.7 (8.14)	187.7 (7.39)	54.1 (2.13)	9.0 (0.35)	29.3 (1.15)	142.9 (5.63)	297.3 (11.70)	225.7 (8.89)	103.3 (4.07)	1,641 (64.61)
Average precipitation days	7.3	8.9	13.7	14.7	15.4	6.5	2.6	3.6	11.2	20.9	17.9	8.8	131.5
Average relative humidity (%)	82	79	79	79	80	83	85	83	80	80	81	83	81
Mean monthly sunshine hours	131.6	137.4	158.2	160.5	150.4	101.5	60.9	58.1	95.5	134.1	132.3	122.8	1,443.3
Source 1: NOAA [8]
Source 2: Meteo Climat (record highs and lows) [9]

Climate change

Gabon is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its dense coastal population, economic hubs along the shore, and dependence on rain-fed agriculture. ^[10] Rising sea levels threaten to erode the coastline and contaminate freshwater sources with saltwater. The country is already experiencing more frequent and severe extreme weather events, such as floods, droughts, and storms, which damage infrastructure, displace communities, and disrupt food security and livelihoods. ^[11]

To adapt, Gabon prioritises protecting its coastal areas, as well as its fishing, agriculture, and forestry industries. ^[10] Gabon's vast forests act as a net carbon sink. ^{[12] [13]} It is recognized as a global leader in climate action and is widely considered the most carbon-positive country in the world, due to its strong conservation efforts. ^[11] However, Gabon’s economy remains heavily dependent on oil and other natural resources, leaving it exposed to global market shifts and climate-related risks. In 2023, the country accounted for just over 0.04% of global greenhouse gas emissions (24.7 million tonnes). Gabon has pledged to stay carbon neutral beyond 2050 and, with adequate support, aims to maintain net carbon removals of 100 million tons CO₂ equivalent per year beyond that date. ^[14] It also seeks to expand its renewable energy sector. ^[15]

Extreme points

• Northernmost point - unnamed location on the border with Cameroon on the Ntem River, Woleu-Ntem province
• Easternmost point - the unnamed location on the border with the Republic of Congo immediately south-west of the Congolese village of Mbeyi-Mbola, Haut-Ogooué province
• Southernmost point - the point at which the border with the Republic of Congo enters the Atlantic Ocean, Nyanga Province
• Westernmost point - the north-west point of Cape Lopez, Ogooué Maritime province

Topography of Gabon

Gabon's cities, towns and villages

See also

• Bam Bam Amphitheaters

References

1. Murray, N.J.; Phinn, S.R.; DeWitt, M.; Ferrari, R.; Johnston, R.; Lyons, M.B.; Clinton, N.; Thau, D.; Fuller, R.A. (2019). "The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats" . Nature. 565 (7738): 222–225. doi:10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8. PMID   30568300. S2CID   56481043.
2. "Gabon (GAB) - Submissions provided by Country". REDD+ Web Platform. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
3. Report on the technical assessment of the proposed forest reference level of Gabon submitted in 2021 (PDF) (Report). United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). 31 October 2021. FCCC/TAR/2021/GAB.
4. "Libreville Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 2017-10-10. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
5. "Port-Gentil Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on 2020-08-02. Retrieved March 8, 2015.
6. "Station Port Gentil" (in French). Meteo Climat. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
7. "Lambarn (Lambaréné) Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (FTP). Retrieved 6 November 2016.(To view documents see Help:FTP)
8. "Makokou Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (FTP). Retrieved 6 November 2016.(To view documents see Help:FTP)
9. "Station Makokou" (in French). Meteo Climat. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
10. World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal. "Gabon". climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
11. Othering & Belonging Institute. "Gabon Case Study". belonging.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
12. UNDP Biofin. "Gabon". BIOFIN. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
13. UNFCCC (5 August 2024). Record of the facilitative sharing of views at the sixtieth session of the Subsidiary Body for Implementation: Gabon (PDF).
14. Climate Watch. "Gabon". www.climatewatchdata.org. Retrieved 2025-03-17.
15. "National Climate Plan (Plan Climat) - Climate Change Laws of the World". climate-laws.org. Retrieved 2025-03-17.

 This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook (2025 ed.). CIA.