Little Known History About Gabon
The capital Libreville was established in 1849 by freed slaves who opted to go back home when they were set free. Slaves had been taken as part of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Gabon is a small country in West Africa right in the heart of the rainforest.
The original Gabonese are Bantu and speak several Bantu languages. The major ethnic groups and languages are Mpongwe; Orungu; Fang, Sira, Mbete, Punu, Benga, Seke, Kota and Teke.
Although Gabon is now known as a former French colony, the Portuguese are said to have been the first Europeans to set foot on the land that is present day Gabon in 1470. The French claimed that the Gabonese rulers gave up their sovereignty through concessions and treaties. The Bantu Gabonese did not speak French so it is not clear how this happened. Like all former French colonies, Gabon still has close ties to France and uses the French currency.
Geographically Gabon borders Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, the Congo and the Atlantic Ocean.
The majority of the Gabonese are Christian. Roman Catholics make up 40% of the population. The rest are Pentecostal called the Holy Ghost Fathers. These are the ones that guide the faith of the Gabonese.
Economic facts about Gabon:
- Oil made up 43% of the GDP in early 2000s.
- In early 2000s, China was the major purchaser of Gabon logs.
- Gabon imported plywood a finished product and exported raw materials. Raw material exports pay less than manufactured products.
- China purchased most of the fishing products with little regard to sustainability and exploiting the Gabonese waters to satisfy demand for fresh food in Chinese. Depleting the supplies for the locals who rely on fish for food.
- China supported social projects such as constructing hospitals to win the hearts and minds of the Gabonese. This was meant to endear the Chinese to the local Gabonese people.
