Libreville is the capital and largest city of Gabon with a population of 703,904 at the 2013 census. The city occupies approximately 65 square kilometres (25.6 square miles) in the Northwestern Estuary Province. Libreville is a port on the Komo River, near the Gulf of Guinea. More than a third of Gabon's population lives in Libreville. Gabon was the centre of the slave trade. Libreville was founded by freed slaves. The Mpongwe tribe lived in the area long before the French took control of the land in 1839. The city was founded as "Gabon" in 1843, as a trading station. Freed slaves were sent there from the ship L'Elizia. In 1848, it was named Libreville. It was the main port of French Equatorial Africa from 1934 to 1946. Libreville was named after Freetown. It grew slowly as a trading post and minor administrative center. It had a population of 31,000 when it became independent in 1960. Since its independence, the city has grown more rapidly. Libreville is a commercial and maritime center for timber, rubber, and cocoa. Léon M'ba was the first Gabonese president after its independence in 1960. The memorial was created on the personal initiative of Gabonese head of state Omar Bongo Ondimba, to promote history and remember the father of the Gabonese nation. It has become the epicenter of Gabonese culture where locals and tourists come to learn about Gabon's history. Forty years after his death, the Léon M'ba Memorial was built in Libreville to honor his memory. President Bongo laid the foundation stone for the Memorial on February 9, 2007, and it was inaugurated by Bongo on November 27, 2007. In February 2008, it was opened to the public. The Senate commemorates the leader of the party that won the country's independence. The most admired leader. The Leon Mba Memorial is a beautiful addition to the statue of the first president. This is just one of the monuments in Libreville. Discover much more during your visit! The National Museum of Gabon is a cultural institution located in Libreville, Gabon. The museum showcases the country's rich history and heritage, from its indigenous cultures to its colonial past. The museum's exhibits feature a variety of artifacts, including traditional musical instruments, handcrafted pottery, and historical documents, as well as interactive displays that bring Gabon's history to life. Visitors to the National Museum of Gabon can learn about the country's diverse cultural heritage, including its music, art, and customs, as well as its political and economic history. The museum is also a research center for the study of Gabon's culture and history, and offers educational programs for visitors of all ages. Whether you're a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or simply curious about Gabon's past, the National Museum of Gabon is a fascinating place to explore. a) French is the official language of Gabon, but Fang is the most widely spoken language in the country. French is mostly used in the capital and among those who have completed secondary or university education. French is Gabon's medium of instruction in schools. b) Fang - Fang is considered the national language of Gabon. It is related to the Ewondo and Bulu languages ​​used in southern Cameroon. Fang is part of the Niger-Congo family, and 32% of Gabonese people speak Fang as their mother tongue. The Fang community is one of the largest ethnic groups in Gabon, as well as neighboring Equatorial Guinea. Fang is particularly popular in northern Gabon, and it is recognized as a Southern Bantu language. c) The indigenous languages ​​of Gabon are classified in the Bantu family. These languages ​​reached Gabon about 2,000 years ago, and then spread into nearly 40 languages. African languages ​​survive mainly through families and clans. Apart from Fang, Eshira and Mbere also have significant groups of speakers. Other Gabonese languages ​​include Sake, Douma, Tsogo, Simba, Vumbu, Fufu, Barama, Bekwel, and Benga. The languages ​​are mainly spoken rather than written, and are transmitted through family and clans. ----------- Email: [email protected] Instagram: @afriquerevelee © 2022, Africa Revealed