Libreville, Capital city on the Atlantic coast, Gabon
Libreville is the capital of Gabon on the Atlantic coast and spreads over forested hills that look down on the Komo River estuary. The city is marked by residential neighborhoods with low-rise buildings, a busy port, and wide roads that lead toward the waterfront.
The settlement began in 1849 when a group of freed slaves landed here and made their home. France took over administration and later made it the capital of its colony in Central Africa.
The name means Free Town in French, and you can hear this language spoken alongside Fang and other local tongues in the markets and neighborhoods. Street vendors sell grilled fish and plantains near the waterfront, while music from church choirs and open-air bars drifts through the residential areas.
The airport sits about 6 miles (10 km) outside the center and connects the city with destinations across Africa and Europe. Taxis and minibuses run through the different districts, and it helps to clarify destinations in advance.
The city sits almost directly on the equator, so the days stay about the same length all year long. An old lighthouse from the colonial era still stands at the cape and is sometimes visited by people out for a walk.
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