The Largest Cities In Gabon

Gabon is a Central African nation that is located on the equator and bordered by Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, and Equatorial Guinea. The country has a coastline on the Gulf of Guinea. Gabon spans an area of 270,000 square km and houses a population of about 1.5 million people. Libreville is the biggest and capital city of the country. Gabon is one sub-Saharan Africa’s most prosperous nations with the region’s third highest GDP per capita and the 4th highest HDI. Here, we discuss the major cities of the country and their important features.

The 5 Biggest Cities In Gabon

Libreville

Gabon’s capital city and biggest city by area, Libreville is located on the Komo River near the Gulf of Guinea. The city is a major port and trade center of the country. The largest airport in Gabon, the Libreville International Airport is located near this city. French is the major language spoken in Libreville. A shipbuilding industry, sawmills, and brewing industry are active in the city. Wood, cocoa, and rubber are the main items exported from the Port of Libreville. The headquarters of the Gabon Airlines is also located in the city. Several attractions present in the city include the National Museum of Arts and Traditions, St. Marie’s Cathedral, cultural villages, and others. Important educational centers like the Omar Bongo University, a library, and several research institutes are also housed by Libreville.

Port-Gentil

Gabon’s second largest city is Port Gentil, also known as Mandji. The city is the major seaport in the country. Gabon’s petroleum and timber industry is centered within this city. Port Gentil is isolated from the rest of Gabon by a stretch of remote forest area and no roads connect it to other parts of the country. The city houses the Port-Gentil International Airport, and regular flights operate here connecting the city to the capital city of Gabon and other parts of the world.

Franceville

Gabon’s third biggest urban center, Franceville is located on the Mpassa River at the end of the N3 Road and the Trans-Gabon Railway. It was originally a village that was chosen as a settlement for the former slaves by Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza. Brazza founded the town on June 13, 1880, and named it Franceville. The important buildings housed in this city include a primate medical research institute, the St Hilaire's Church, a golf course, and an airport. Bushmeat including meat of local animal species, monkeys, and African rock python is sold at the market in Franceville. The infrastructure of this town is better than that in many other parts of Gabon. A few hotels are located here. Waterfalls are an important tourist attraction in the city.

Oyem

The capital of the Woleu-Ntem province, Oyem is Gabon’s fourth biggest urban center. It lies on the River Ntem and the N2 road at an elevation of about 3,000 feet on a plateau. Coffee and cocoa are produced in significant quantities in Oyem and exported via the Douala and Kribi ports of Cameroon. Farming of potatoes and rubber is also carried out here. The Oyem Airport serves the town. A hospital, a government secondary school, two churches, and an agricultural school are located in Oyem.

Moanda

The town of Moanda is Gabon’s fifth biggest town that is located on the N3 road. It is one of the world’s most significant manganese mining towns and is the Haut Ogooué Region’s second biggest urban center. The manganese company operating here, COMILOG, manages to export an average of 3.5 million tons of manganese annually. The Moanda Railway Station serves the town, and an airfield is also located here.