Real size
How big is Gabon really?
261,000 km²
101,000 sq mi · 76th largest of the 167 here · about the size of Ecuador
Normal web maps show it about the right size
Gabon covers 261,000 km² (101,000 sq mi), about the size of Ecuador. It sits close to the equator, where normal web maps barely stretch land, so they show it at about its real size, and make countries farther from the equator look bigger than it.
Measured from our map outlines, so official figures can differ by a few percent. Ranks count the 167 countries and territories on these pages: those over 5,000 km², not counting disputed territories.
- Real area
- 261,000 km²
- Size rank
- 76th of 167
- On a normal web map
- About right
- Latitude
- 1°S
Countries about the same size
- EcuadorAbout the same size
- New ZealandAbout the same size
- Burkina FasoAbout the same size
- GuineaGabon is 1.1 times the size of Guinea
- UgandaGabon is 1.1 times the size of Uganda
Gabon through history
Borders here have moved many times. Step through our maps, from 2000 BCE to today, to see who ruled this land before, and how big their realms really were.
Open the history map →Browse the eras →
Common questions
- How big is Gabon?
- Gabon covers about 261,000 km² (101,000 sq mi). It is the 76th largest of the 167 countries and territories on these pages (those over 5,000 km²).
- Do maps show Gabon at the right size?
- Yes. Gabon lies so close to the equator that a normal web map barely stretches it, while countries far to the north or south are drawn several times too big.
- Is Gabon bigger than the United Kingdom?
- Yes. Gabon is about 1.1 times the size of the United Kingdom.
- Is Gabon bigger than Ecuador?
- They are about the same size: within 5% of each other.
- Is Gabon bigger than New Zealand?
- They are about the same size: within 5% of each other.