Libreville is the capital city of Gabon and a major port in West Africa. It is located on the Gulf of Guinea, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. The city is built on a series of hills and surrounded by traditional villages.

Landmarks

Libreville is one of the main industrial and educational centers in Gabon. It houses the Omar Bongo University, libraries, and research institutes. The city also has a modern hospital, churches, and a mosque.

Economy

Libreville's chief export is lumber. Cocoa, rubber, and palm products are also shipped overseas. The major industries include cloth printing, brewing, flour milling, and shipbuilding. Offshore oil has been discovered north of the city. Libreville has an international airport and major roads that link it to other towns in Gabon.

History

The Pongoue were the first people to settle in the Libreville area, arriving in about the16th century. They were followed by the Fang from the Cameroon area in the 19th century. Fort-d'Aumale was built by the French in 1843, and a Catholic mission was founded a year later. Libreville, which means “free town,” got its name in 1849 when slaves freed from the ship Elizia settled there.