An equatorial country on the west coast of Africa, Gabon's major economic activity is oil. Only a small area of Gabon is cultivated, and more than two-thirds of it constitute one of the world's finest virgin rainforests. Gabon became independent of France in 1960. A single-party state from 1968, it returned to multiparty democracy in 1990. Gabon's population is small, and the government is encouraging its increase.

The largest ethnic group in Gabon is the Fang, who live mainly in the north. President Omar Bongo, from a subgroup of the Bateke in the southeast, has artfully united the common interests of other ethnic groups to keep the Fang from government. The Myene group around Port-Gentil consider themselves as the aristocrats of Gabonese society owing to their long-standing ex-colonial contacts. Oil wealth has led to the growth of a distinct bourgeoisie. Gabon is one of Africa's most urbanized countries.

Strengths

Oil and a relatively small population give Gabon a high per capita GNP. Other abundant resources – including some of the world's best tropical hardwoods – are just beginning to be tapped.

Weaknesses

Large debt burden incurred in the 1970s. Continuing dependence on French technical assistance.

Gabon has had a multiparty constitution since 1990, when elections confirmed in power the former sole ruling party – Omar Bongo's PDG. Bongo, in power since 1967, won the first multiparty presidential poll in 1993, but its fairness was widely disputed. Bongo was reelected president in 1998, this time for a seven-year term. In parliamentary elections in December 2001, the PDG again won a majority in the National Assembly.

Gabon still maintains close links with France, although US companies are also making inroads into Gabon's oil-rich economy. Regionally, Gabon remains influential in west Africa (the Gulf of Guinea Commission was launched in Libreville in 2001), although relations further afield, particularly with OPEC, are also important.

President Bongo's background in the military is reflected in Gabon's large defense budget and prestige weaponry, which includes French Mirage jets. France guarantees Gabon's security and keeps a 750-strong garrison in Libreville. A recruitment drive was launched in April 2001 to recruit 1500 18- to 25-year-olds by 2006.

Oil is the major export earner. Gabon also has large deposits of uranium and over 100 years' reserves of manganese. The unexploited iron ore deposits at Bélinga are the world's largest.

The Trans-Gabon Railroad has sliced through one of the world's finest virgin rainforests and has opened the interior to indiscriminate exploitation of rare woods such as oleoirme. Gabon abandoned plans for nuclear power following the 1986 Chernobyl disaster.

The Trans-Gabon Railroad from Owendo port near Libreville to Massoukou is the key transportation link.

Air transportation is well developed, and most big companies have airstrips.

Oil revenues have allowed substantial investment in the health service, which is now among the best in Africa.

Education follows the French system. Université Omar Bongo in Libreville, founded in the 1970s, now has more than 4000 students.

Urban crime rates are rising. Gabon's human rights record has improved in recent years. A campaign to combat child trafficking was launched in 2001.

Oil wealth has led to the growth of an affluent bourgeoisie. Menial and low-income jobs are done by immigrant workers.

Despite Libreville's many hotels, Gabon has little tourism, in part a reflection of its lack of good beaches.

Gabon became a French colony in 1886, administered as part of French Equatorial Africa.

• 1960 Independence. Léon M'ba president.
• 1967 Albert-Bernard (later Omar) Bongo president.
• 1968 Single-party state instituted.
• 1990 Multiparty democracy.
• 1998 Bongo reelected president.
• 2001 Elections: ruling PDG retains majority.