Libreville
2008/9 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Africa; Cities
| Libreville | |
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  Libreville
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Capital district | Libreville |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Jean-François Ntoutoume Emane |
| Population (2005) | |
| - Total | 578,156 |
Libreville (population 578,156 January 1, 2005) is the capital and largest city of Gabon. The city is a port on the Komo River, near the Gulf of Guinea, and a trade centre for a timber region.
History
The area was inhabited by the Mpongwé tribe long before the French acquired the land in 1839. The city was founded in 1843 as a trading station; a fort (fort d'Aumale) to keep the slaves awaiting for the boats to come and take them away. Freed slaves were sent there from the ship L'Elizia, and in 1848 it was named Libreville (French for "Freetown"). It was the chief port of French Equatorial Africa from 1934 to 1946 and was the central focus of the Battle of Gabon in 1940.
Libreville was named in imitation of Freetown and grew only slowly as a trading post and a minor administrative centre to a population of 31,000 on independence in 1960. Since independence, the city has grown rapidly and now houses nearly half the national population.
Geography
From north to south, major districts of the city are the residential area Batterie IV, Quartier Louis (known for its nightlife), Mont-Bouët and Nombakélé (busy commercial areas), Glass (the first European settlement in Gabon), Oloumi (a major industrial area) and Lalala, a residential area. The city’s port and train station on the Trans-Gabon Railway line to Franceville lie in Owendo, south of the main built-up area. Inland from these districts lie poorer residential areas.
Transport
Libreville International Airport is the largest airport in Gabon and is located around 11 kilometers (7 mi) north of the city.
Culture and education
Sights in Libreville include the National Museum of Arts and Traditions, the French cultural centre, St Marie’s Cathedral, the carved wood church of St Michael, Nkembo, the Arboretum de Sibang and two cultural villages. Libreville's main market lies in Mont-Bouët. Gabon's school of administration and school of law are in Libreville. Libreville also hosts the Omar Bongo University (est. 1970), various research institutes and a library. Alongside the Komo estuary is the Pongara National Park of 929 km2.
Industry
The city is home to a shipbuilding industry, brewing industry and sawmills. The city exports raw materials such as wood, rubber and cocoa from the city's main port, and the deepwater port at Owendo.