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Coastal Timber Industry
© Shell Oil |
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Ogooué River
©Carl Hopkins, 1998 |
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Until oil was discovered off-shore in the 1970's, the country's economy was dependent on the timber industry and on mineral reserves (Gabon is the world's sixth largest producer of uranium, and also has gold mines). Today oil exports account for about three-quarters of total export revenues, which makes Gabon unusual among developing nations because it does not have to exploit its forests for economic survival. However, Gabon is still vulnerable to economic forces: the decline in oil prices has increased the country's dependence on logging revenues.
The Rivers
The Ogooué River, Gabon's main body of water, is the second largest watershed in Central West Africa. The two major rivers which flow into it, the Ngounié and Ivindo Rivers, are home to a rich variety of aquatic species, including catfish and the weakly electric fish. The Gabonese raise little livestock and rely heavily on fish for food. Because fish must be imported to meet the present demand, the fishing industry is growing rapidly.
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| Gabon's per capita income is more than twice that of most sub-Saharan African countries.
Only 50% of the Gabonese who live in rural areas have access to safe water. |
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