Gabon

Introduction

Gabon is situated on the west coast of Africa and is bordered on the north by Cameroon, on the east and south by the Congo and the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the northwest by Equatorial Guinea.

Rising from the coastal lowlands (which range in width from 18 to 125 miles) is a band more than 60 miles wide forming a rocky escarpment that ranges in height from 600 to 2,000 ft. Rivers descending from the interior have carved deep channels in the face of the escarpment. There are mountains in various parts of Gabon, the highest peak being Mt. Iboundiki (5,165 ft). The northern coastline is deeply indented with bays, estuaries and deltas as far south as the mouth of the Ogowe River, forming excellent natural shelters. Further south, the coast becomes more precipitous, with coastal areas bordered by lagoons and mangrove swamps. Virtually the entire territory is contained in the basin of the Ogowe River, which is over 500 miles long and navigable for 150 miles. Its two major tributaries are the Ivindo and the N'Gounie, which are navigable for several hundred miles into the interior.

Africa Guide's recommended book
		Gabon, Sao Tome & Principe: The Bradt Travel Guide (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - UK Inside you will find: wildlife-viewing opportunities, from lowland gorillas to humpback whales; full coverage of the newly designated national parks network; getting around, by air, road and rail; volcanic islands of Sao Tome and Principe, Africa's second smallest country; trekking, watersports and other activities.

The Africa Guide's recommended Map
		Gabon Folded map, Full colour   (Maps Worldwide) Published by Institut Geographique National (IGN) - Countries and Cities of the World Road map of Gabon with place name index and town map of Libreville. .