The country of Gabon, located in equatorial Africa on the Atlantic coast, gained its independence from France on August 17, 1960. Its strong economic base in mining, forestry, and especially petroleum has made Gabon one of the most prosperous nations in the area. It also boasts the longest serving African head of state in President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba, who, having won election after election, has been in power since 1967. The third edition of the Historical Dictionary of Gabon provides crucial information about the country's important persons, places, events, and institutions. This is done through the use of several hundred cross-referenced dictionary entries, an introductory essay, a chronology, a list of acronyms and abbreviations, maps, and a comprehensive bibliography.