Franceville facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Franceville Masuku
Coat of arms
Franceville Location in Gabon Show map of Gabon Franceville Location in Africa Show map of Africa
Country	Gabon
Province	Haut-Ogooué Province
Department	Mpassa Department
Population  (2013 census)
• Total	110,568

Franceville is one of the four biggest cities in Gabon, a country in Central Africa. In 2013, about 110,568 people lived there. The city is located on the Mpassa River. It is also the end point for the Trans-Gabon Railway and the N3 road. Franceville started as a small village called Masuku.

History and Key Features

In 1880, a French explorer named Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza chose the village of Masuku. He decided to settle former slaves there and renamed it Francheville. This name means "city of the freed." Later, the name was changed to Franceville, which means "city of France."

The city has many interesting places to see. You can visit St Hilaire's Church, which was built in 1899. There is also a large statue of former President Omar Bongo, who was born in Franceville. The city is home to a special institute that researches primates for medical research. You can also find a golf course there.

Franceville has an airport about 20 kilometers (12 miles) to the west, in Mvengué. President Bongo was buried in Franceville on June 18, 2009.

There is a lively market where you can buy many different things. These include clothes, fresh fruits and vegetables, electronics, and various kinds of meat.

If you are looking for a place to stay, there are a few hotels. The Hôtel Poubara is well-known and offers views of the president's holiday home.

Franceville is also famous for its many waterfalls. One of the most popular is the Poubara Falls. A hydroelectric plant is located there, which helps provide electricity to the area.

City Population

The population of Franceville has grown over the years. In 1993, about 31,183 people lived in the city. By 2010, the population was estimated to be around 56,000. The 2013 census recorded 110,568 residents.

Climate and Weather

Franceville has a tropical savanna climate. This means it is generally warm all year round. The city often experiences many thunderstorms, especially during the rainy seasons.

Education and Learning

Franceville is an important center for education in Gabon. It is home to the University of Science and Technology of Masuku (USTM). This university focuses on science subjects. Other subjects are taught in Libreville, Gabon's capital. Students from many African countries come to study here.

The university includes the Polytechnic and Faculty of Science, which is supported by Canada. There is also the National Higher Institute of Agronomy and Biotechnology. This institute trains future agricultural engineers. The city also has a special school for doctoral studies. One of the local schools is École publique conventionnée de Franceville.

Global Connections

Franceville has connections with other cities around the world. These connections are called "twin towns" or "sister cities."

Twin Towns

Franceville is twinned with:

• Vire, France (since 1983)

Images for kids

• 

  A robot illustration.