Q 01/05

What is the capital and largest city of Gabon?

A) Brazzaville

B) Port-Gentil

C) Franceville

D) Libreville

Answer · why

D) Libreville

The name means 'Freetown': fifty-two freed slaves from a captured Brazilian ship were resettled there in 1849.

Q 02/05

The name Gabon derives from a Portuguese word meaning what?

A) Golden river

B) Hooded cloak

C) Green land

D) Small boat

Answer · why

B) Hooded cloak

Navigators in the 1470s thought the outline of the Komo estuary resembled a gabão.

Q 03/05

Gabon gained independence from which colonial power on 17 August 1960?

A) France

B) Portugal

C) Belgium

D) Spain

Answer · why

A) France

It had been an autonomous republic within the French Community since November 1958.

Q 04/05

How many presidents has Gabon had since independence in 1960?

A) Twelve

B) Two

C) Eight

D) Four

Answer · why

D) Four

Léon M'ba, Omar Bongo, Ali Bongo and, after the 2023 coup, Brice Oligui Nguema.

Q 05/05

Omar Bongo, president from 1967 to 2009, held what distinction after Fidel Castro stepped down in 2008?

A) Longest-serving OPEC head

B) Oldest serving head of state

C) Only leader never to face an election

D) World's longest-ruling non-royal leader

Answer · why

D) World's longest-ruling non-royal leader

Born Albert-Bernard Bongo, he stabilised his rule through the Françafrique client network.