GABON

General

Gabon, located on the Equator, is bounded on the N by Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon, on the E and S by the Republic of Congo, and on the W by the Atlantic Ocean.

The country consists of a narrow coastal plain, a hilly interior, and savanna regions in the E and S.

The land is mostly covered with a dense equatorial forest. The climate is always hot and humid. There is a heavy rain-

fall. The dry periods are from the middle of May to the middle of September and from the middle of December to the middle of February.

Buoyage System

The IALA Buoyage System (Region A) is in effect. See Chart No. 1 for further IALA Buoyage System information.

It is reported that obsolescent buoyage (Uniform System of Buoyage) may still be encountered in some waters.

Currency

The official unit of currency is the French African Community franc, consisting of 100 centimes.

Government

Flag of Gabon

Gabon is a republic. The country is divided into nine provinces.

Gabon is governed by a directly-elected President serving a 7-year term. The Prime Minister, who is appointed by the President, is the head of government and appoints a Council of Ministers in consultation with the President. The bicameral legislature consists of a 91-member indirectly-elected Senate and a directly-elected 120-member National Assembly, serving a 5-year term.

The legal system is based on French civil law and customary law.

The capital is Libreville.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed:

Eid-il-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid-il-Adha (End of Pilgrimage) are observed Islamic holidays, the dates of which vary from year to year and are subject to the appearance of the moon.

Industries

The major industries are petroleum and natural gas production, timber, mining, and food processing. Other industries include livestock raising, fishing, and tourism.

Minerals include manganese, uranium, gold, iron ore, zinc, and phosphates.

Crops include sugarcane, cassava, plantains, maize, groundnuts, bananas, palm kernels, cocoa, coffee, and rice.

Languages

French is the official language. Several native dialects are also spoken, with the principal ones being Fang, Myene, Bateke, Bapounou (Eschira), and Bandjabi.

Navigational Information

The maritime territorial claims of Gabon are, as follows:

Time Zone

The Time Zone description is ALFA (-1). Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy is situated at Boulevard de la Mer, Libreville.

The mailing address is Centre Ville, B.P. 4000, Libreville.

U. S. Embassy Gabon Home Page

http://usembassy.state.gov/libreville

General

Buoyage System

Currency

Government

Holidays

Industries

Languages

Navigational Information

Search and Rescue

Time Zone

U.S. Embassy

General

Ghana, located on the W coast of Africa, is bounded on the W by the Ivory Coast, on the N by Burkina Faso, and on the E by Togo. The seacoast, about 290 miles long, lies between a position 2.5 miles W of Newtown (5˚05'N., 3˚04'W.) and a point 0.8 mile SW of Lome.

The land is fronted by a low, sandy shore and backed by plains and scrub. In the extreme W and E parts, sand spits enclose large lagoons which are bordered by mangrove forests.

A tropical rain forest belt extends N for 175 miles from a point on the shore near the border with the Ivory Coast. It is broken by several hills and many streams and rivers. This area, known as the Ashanti, produces most of Ghana's cocoa, minerals, and timber.

The country lying to the N of this belt varies from 90 to 390m in elevation and is covered by low bush, parkland savannah, and grassland plains.

The climate ranges from equatorial along the coast to savannah in the N part and is typified by the existence of welldefined dry and wet seasons.

Flag of Ghana

Ghana is a constitutional democracy. The country is divided into ten regions.

Ghana is governed by a directly-elected President who serves a 4-year term. The President appoints a Council of Ministers, subject to approval by the Parliament. The unicameral Parliament consists of 200 directly-elected members serving 4-year terms.

The legal system is based on English common law and customary law.

The capital is Accra.

Natural mineral resources include gold, diamonds, manganese, bauxite, and aluminum. These are almost all exported in their primary state.

Holidays

The following holidays are observed:

Islamic holidays, which are subject to the appearance of the moon, include Eid-il-Fitr (End of Ramadan) and Eid-il-Adha (End of Pilgrimage).

Industries

Cocoa is the most important crop. Coffee, improved types of palm oil, coconuts, and tobacco are being planted on a larger scale. Progress has been made in the planting of clonal rubber in the SW part of the country.

There are large areas of forest land, providing a large export in sawn and log timber.

Oil has been found and produced in commercial quantities.

Languages

English is the official language. In addition, about 75 native dialects are also spoken.

Navigational Information

The maritime territorial claims of Ghana are, as follows:

Search and Rescue

Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) Accra is located at the main building of the Ghana Ports and Harbor Authority.

Tema Coast Radio Station maintains a continuous listening watch on all international distress frequencies.

Time Zone

The Time Zone description is ZULU. Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy is situated Ring Road East, Accra. The mailing address is P.O. Box 194, Accra.

U. S. Embassy Ghana Home Page

http://usembassy.state.gov/accra