 | | | |
|  | GABON COUNTRY SNAPSHOT AND INTERESTING FACTS | Gabon is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and the Congo. The 800km-long (500-mile) sandy coastal strip is a series of palm-fringed bays, lagoons and estuaries. The lush tropical vegetation (which covers much of the interior) gives way in parts to the savannah. There are many rivers along which settlements have grown. Many of the Bantu people are concentrated in coastal areas and villages along the banks of the many rivers. The main cities are Libreville, Port Gentil, Lambaréné, Moanda, Oyem, Mouila and Franceville. Libreville is a lively and charming capital beside the ocean. Its white buildings contrast with the green of the nearby forest. Sights include the art-craft village (Village des Artisans) and the National Museum, which contains some beautiful woodcarvings. Visitors can also enjoy the delightful Peyrie Gardens in the heart of the city. Gabonese food is distinctive and delicious, but not always readily available, as most restaurants tend to serve dishes from Senegal, Cameroon and the Congo. Most nightclubs with music and bars tend to be found in Libreville. Only two autocratic presidents have ruled Gabon since independence from France in 1960. Gabon's current President, El Hadj Omar BONGO Ondimba - one of the longest-serving heads of state in the world - has dominated Gabon's political scene for almost four decades. President BONGO introduced a nominal multiparty system and a new constitution in the early 1990s. However, the low turnout and allegations of electoral fraud during the most recent local elections in 2002-03 have exposed the weaknesses of formal political structures in Gabon. Presidential elections scheduled for 2005 are unlikely to bring change since the opposition remains weak, divided, and financially dependent on the current regime. Despite political conditions, a small population, abundant natural resources, and considerable foreign support have helped make Gabon one of the more prosperous and stable African countries. Gabon enjoys a per capita income four times that of most of sub-Saharan African nations. This has supported a sharp decline in extreme poverty; yet because of high income inequality a large proportion of the population remains poor. Gabon depended on timber and manganese until oil was discovered offshore in the early 1970s. The oil sector now accounts for 50% of GDP. Gabon continues to face fluctuating prices for its oil, timber, and manganese exports. Despite the abundance of natural wealth, poor fiscal management hobbles the economy. Devaluation of its currency by 50% in January 1994 sparked a one-time inflationary surge, to 35%; the rate dropped to 6% in 1996. The IMF provided a one-year standby arrangement in 1994-95, a three-year Enhanced Financing Facility (EFF) at near commercial rates beginning in late 1995, and stand-by credit of $119 million in October 2000. Those agreements mandate progress in privatization and fiscal discipline. France provided additional financial support in January 1997 after Gabon had met IMF targets for mid-1996. In 1997, an IMF mission to Gabon criticized the government for overspending on off-budget items, overborrowing from the central bank, and slipping on its schedule for privatization and administrative reform. The rebound of oil prices in 1999-2000 helped growth, but drops in production hampered Gabon from fully realizing potential gains. In December 2000, Gabon signed a new agreement with the Paris Club to reschedule its official debt. A follow-up bilateral repayment agreement with the US was signed in December 2001. Gabon signed a 14 month Stand-By Arrangement with the IMF in May 2004, and received Paris Club debt rescheduling later that year. Short-term progress depends on an upbeat world economy and fiscal and other adjustments in line with IMF policies. | Open here a detailed map in a new window. Map Server Travel-Island.com. | 
|
| RESORTS AND EXCURSIONS | LIBREVILLE
Gabon's capital is a lively and charming capital, beside the ocean. Its white buildings contrast with the green of the nearby equatorial forest. Sights include the art-craft village (Village des Artisans) and the National Museum, which contains some of the most beautiful woodcarvings in Africa, especially the indigenous Fang style of carving which influenced Picasso's figures and busts. Visitors can also enjoy the delightful Peyrie Gardens, in the heart of the city; the popular quarters of Akebe and Nombakele, the harbour, the Cathedral of St Michael and the Mount Bouet Market.
ELSEWHERE
The main cities in Gabon are Port Gentil, Lambaréné, Moanda, Oyem, Mouila and Franceville.A route winds through a forest of giant trees from Libreville to the beach of Cap Estérias, where the rocks abound with sea urchins, oysters and lobsters. This is a good place to swim. It is possible to go to the Kinguele Falls on M'Bei River or to Lambaréné, the town made famous by Doctor Albert Schweitzer, the tropical disease specialist and musician. Now in its 70th year, Schweitzer's hospital is open to visitors and a tour on Evaro Lake can be organised. Trips are available down the rapids of the Okanda region. Further south, the villages of M'Bigou and Eteke are famous for their local crafts and gold mines and, to the west, the enchanting Mayumba set between sea and lake. Eastwards, the region of Bateke Plateau comprises savannah and forest galleries, and tumultuous rivers spanned by liana bridges, such as the one at Poubara. Game and wildlife include forest elephants, buffaloes, sitatunga, river hogs, gorillas, panthers, crocodiles, monkeys and parrots. In the Sette-Cama, Iguela and N'Dende zones, hunters going on safari can hire guides experienced in tracking and approaching the game. For those armed only with camera and video-camera, there is the Lope reserve and two national parks, Wonga-Wongue and Moukalaba. | | PASSPORT AND VISA APPLICATION Furthermore, in order to get into many countries on the stay abroad you will require a visa of some type, even if you are just visiting. This is usually an insert, stamp or sticker which is placed in your passport and the duration of its validity varies from place to place. If you do intend to work or study in the country to which you are traveling, however, you should organize your visa even further in advance as this can take longer to process.
As well as your passport you should ensure that you have at least one other form of identification with you. This may be a driver’s license, birth certificate or any other form of ID which is acceptable worldwide. As with passports, bring at least two copies of all forms of identification in case of loss or theft.
Help to Passport and Visa Application Forms. How to find the right one(s)?
A passport is issued to you by your home country as proof of citizenship. Visas are stamped into your passport to allow you entry into other countries. Although there are exceptions, you are usually required to display your passport when entering or leaving a country. Once you arrive at your destination, carry a photocopy of your passport and keep the original in a safe place.
A visa is an endorsement or stamp entered into your passport by a foreign government. It allows you to enter that country for a specific reason and period of time. Start applying for visas as soon as your passport is available so that all your documentation is completed well before your departure date. To receive a visa you need to send your passport to an embassy or consulate of the country you want to visit. Most countries have embassies and consulates worldwide, and travel agents can usually tell you where the nearest ones are located. Keep in mind that your passport may be tied up for days or weeks until the paperwork is done, so plan accordingly. In addition, some countries require proof of yellow fever vaccination before they will issue you a visa. The amount of time spent mailing your passport to the various agencies involved can really add up if you are visiting several countries. Plan ahead if possible. If you only have a few weeks to prepare, a commercial visa service can often speed up the process. |
|  More Resources | | | | Traveller Forums |  | Travel Forums. First time users check out the Board Rules for instructions on using this travel message board. You have to create an account before you can add and relpy to messages. Please feel freely at any time to write your query or reply to our forum members.
This is a forum which gives people the opportunity to exchange information about travelling, as well as discuss various topics of interest. |
| | Photo Albums |  | Travel Photo Albums. This category contains photo albums and articles that belong to our users and visitors.
Upload and manage their own photos on our website. Rate the pictures and add additional comments. Images and articles are stored in individual user albums. | | 
| |
