II.

Land and Resources

A belt of coastal lowlands, generally narrow in width, is found in the western part of Gabon. To the interior is the plateau zone, which extends over the entire northern and eastern sections of Gabon and part of the south. The Cristal Mountains in the north are about 900 m (about 3,000 ft) high. The central Chaillu Mountains contain Mount Iboundji (972 m/3,189 ft), the highest summit in the country. This escarpment is crossed by numerous rivers, notably the Ogooué River, which empties into the Atlantic Ocean. Virtually the entire country is contained in the basin of the Ogooué River, which is navigable to Ndjolé. Some 85 percent of the land is covered by a dense equatorial rain forest.

A.

Climate

Gabon has a hot and humid climate. The temperature varies only slightly throughout the year. The average daily temperature is 27°C (80°F). The dry seasons are from May to September and December to January, while the rainy seasons are from February to April and October to November. At Libreville the average annual rainfall averages 2,520 mm (99 in).

B.

Natural Resources

Gabon is rich in mineral resources. The country has deposits of uranium, manganese, and petroleum, all of which are being exploited; large deposits of iron ore, considered among the richest in the world, have also been found, and lead and silver ores have been discovered. Gabon also has valuable forest resources, mainly in its stands of okoume, mahogany, kevazingo, and ebony.

C.

Environmental Issues

Mineral production in Gabon has kept pressure off the forests as a source of revenue. As a result, about 69.3 percent (1995) of Gabon remains covered in forest, and wildlife is abundant. Protected areas cover 2.8 percent (1997) of the country, and hunting is prohibited. However, enforcement is weak, and some species of wildlife are under threat from poaching.