Libreville

Libreville, with an estimated population of 703,940 (362,400 in 1993), is the capital of Gabon and the Estuaire province. It is home to 40% of the country's population, with Europeans representing 1/6 of its population. Port city on the Gabon River, near the Gulf of Guinea, and the center of commerce for the Timber region. It was founded in 1843 as an exchange point. Freed slaves from the United States settled in this city in 1848, baptizing the site as Libreville (Free City in French). It was the main port of the French colonies in French Equatorial Africa between 1934 and 1946.

Libreville is home to the Gabon School of Management and Law School. It is the headquarters of the Omar Bongó University, which has a Spanish Department, in charge of disseminating the Spanish language and Hispanic-American and Hispanic-African cultures.

History

Entrance to Libreville, 1899.

When the French arrived in the region in 1839, there were several native peoples including the Mpongwé tribe.

In 1842, missionaries from New England arrived and settled at the Baraka Mission, in what is now the city of Libreville. In 1846 the Brazilian slave ship L'Elizia, carrying slaves from the Congo, was captured near Loango by the French Navy, which was contributing to the British blockade of Africa. Fifty-two of the freed slaves were resettled in Libreville ('free city' in French) in 1849. It was the main port of French Equatorial Africa between 1934 and 1946, and was the main focus of the Battle of Gabon in 1940, during World War II.

In 1910 French Equatorial Africa (Afrique équatoriale française, AEF) was created and French companies were authorized to exploit the Middle Congo (present-day Republic of the Congo). It soon became necessary to build a railway connecting Brazzaville, the terminus of the river navigation of the Congo River and the Ubangui River, with the Atlantic Ocean coast. Since the rapids made navigation through the Congo beyond Brazzaville impossible, and the coastal terminus of the railway had to allow the construction of a deep-water port, the authorities chose Ponta Negra instead of Libreville as originally planned. Construction of the Congo-Ocean railway began in 1921, and Libreville was overtaken by the rapidly growing Pointe-Noire, much closer to the coast.

Libreville was named after the city of Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, and grew slowly as a center of trade and minor administrative center with a population of 32,000 at the time of Gabon's independence in 1960. It had its first banking entity when the Bank of West Africa (BAO) opened a branch in 1930. Since independence, the city has grown rapidly and is now home to almost half of the entire Gabonese population.

Geography

Satellite view of Libreville.

From north to south, the main districts of the city are the residential area Batterie IV, Quartier Louis (known for its nightlife), Mont-Bouët and Nombakélé (populous commercial areas), Glass (the first European settlement in Gabon), Oloumi (prominent industrial area) and Lalala, a residential area. The city's port and railway station for the Trans-Gabon Railway to Franceville is in Owendo, south of the metropolitan area. Further to the outskirts are the more impoverished residential districts. To the northwest is Equatorial Guinea, labeling the city as part of northwestern Gabon. In terms of national borders that the city borders, to the north is Cameroon, to the east the Republic of the Congo, and to the southeast the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is also close to the coasts of the South Atlantic. Additionally, in terms of water geography, the Komo River runs through the city and empties into the ocean. The Komo River also has potential as a hydroelectric resource for the city, which could generate significant amounts of power. Several districts of the city would provide independent profits that could be invested in the city. In terms of entertainment and nightlife, Quartier Louis is the most renowned neighborhood. One of its main zones includes the coast, and this greatly influences the possible activities available in the area. Libreville's commercial areas are located in the Mont-Bouët and Nombakélé districts, which include several shopping centers and stations selling various products. Oloumi is home to most of the city's industry, integrating the separate production of various districts that focus on other aspects. Finally, Lalala and Batterie IV are residential sectors, where the majority of the population resides.

Climate

Climate unlike other parts of Gabon. With an average temperature of 25.9 °C. The rains are very common throughout the year, and the driest months are June, July and August.

Average climate parameters in Libreville, Gabon
Month	Ene.	Feb.	Mar.	Open up.	May.	Jun.	Jul.	Ago.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Average temperature (°C)	29.5	30.0	30.2	30.1	29.4	27.6	26.4	26.8	27.5	28.0	28.4	29.0	28.6
Average temperature (°C)	26.8	27.0	27.1	26.6	26.7	25.4	24.3	24.3	25.4	25.7	25.9	26.2	25.9
Temp. medium (°C)	24.1	24.0	23.9	23.1	24.0	23.2	22.1	21.8	23.2	23.4	23.4	23.4	23.3
Rains (mm)	250.3	243.1	363.2	339.0	247.3	54.1	6.6	13.7	104.0	427.2	490.0	303.2	2841.7
Days of rain (≥ 1 mm)	17.9	14.8	19.5	19.2	16.0	3.7	1.7	4.9	14.5	25.0	22.6	17.6	177.4
Hours of sun	175.2	176.8	176.9	176.8	159.5	130.6	119.2	90.4	95.9	112.9	134.6	167.8	1716.6
Relative humidity (%)	86	84	84	84	84	81	81	81	84	87	87	86	84
Source: NOAA

Transportation

Puerto de Libreville.

Léon-Mba International Airport is Gabon's main airport and is located 11 kilometers north of the city.

A national taxi network operates around the city. Each district has a color for its taxis, and Libreville's are red.

The National Transportation Society (SOGATRA) launched new taxis that have been operating under a competition system since 2014.

The Gabonese Transport Company operates a bus service in all districts of Libreville.

Education

Omar Bongo University was founded in 1970.

There are several top international schools in Libreville, for example:

• American International School of Libreville - American Curriculum
• Lycée Blaise Pascal de Libreville - French Curriculum
• International School of Gabon Ruban Vert - IB.

Places of worship

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption of Libreville.

Among the places of worship, most are predominantly Christian churches and temples: of the Archdiocese of Libreville (Catholic Church), Église de l'Alliance chrétienne et missionnaire du Gabon (World Alliance Union), Assemblies of God and the Evangelical Church of Gabon.

The population of Gabon is predominantly Christian.

Languages

Libreville is one of several African cities where French is truly becoming a native language, with some local characteristics.

Economy

The city is home to a major shipping, brewing, and lumber industry. The city exports raw materials such as timber, rubber, and cocoa through the port, and through the deep-water port of Owendo.

Gabon Airlines is headquartered in Libreville. Prior to their respective dissolutions, Air Gabon and Gabon Express had their respective headquarters at Libreville International Airport.

The French Army's 6th Marine Battalion has a base north of the city.

Notable residents

• Nadège Noële Ango-Obiang, writer and economist.
• Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, footballer of Arsenal FC and the national selection of Gabon.
• Daniel Cousin, footballer of Larissa FC and the national selection of Gabon.
• Marcel Lefebvre, a traditional Catholic bishop, was a missionary in Libreville.
• Anthony Obame, Olympic silver medalist in male taekwondo of over 80 kilos at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
• Charles Tchen, honorary consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Gabon.
• Chris Silva, a professional basketball player in the Miami Heat of the NBA.
• Simone Saint-Dénis, union leader.