Ogooué-Ivindo Province facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ogooué-Ivindo
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Ivindo National Park
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Ogooué-Ivindo Province in Gabon
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| Country |  Gabon |
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| Capital | Makokou | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 46,075 km2 (17,790 sq mi) | ||
| Population
(2013 census)
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| • Total | 63,293 | ||
| • Density | 1.373695/km2 (3.55785/sq mi) | ||
| HDI (2017) | 0.587 medium |
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Ogooué-Ivindo Province is a large province in the northeastern part of Gabon, a country in Central Africa. It is one of Gabon's nine provinces. The province gets its name from two important rivers: the Ogooué and the Ivindo.
This area is mostly covered by huge rainforests. It is the largest province in Gabon but has the fewest people living there. In 2013, about 63,293 people lived in Ogooué-Ivindo. The main town and capital of the province is Makokou.
Contents
History of Ogooué-Ivindo
Explorers began visiting the Ogooué River region in the late 1800s. In 1873–1874, explorers Antoine-Alfred Marche and Victor de Compiègne traveled through this area. They reached a place called Lopé in 1874.
Later, Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza also explored the region. He made trips there between 1879 and 1882. These explorations helped map out and understand this part of Gabon.
People and Culture
The province is home to several different groups of people. The largest ethnic groups living here are the Fang, the Kota, and the Kwele. Each group has its own unique traditions and culture.
Geography and Amazing Wildlife
Ogooué-Ivindo Province is located in the center to the northeast of Gabon. It covers a very large area of about 46,075 square kilometers (about 17,790 square miles). The province shares borders with parts of the Republic of the Congo to the south and southeast. It also borders other provinces within Gabon.
The Equator, an imaginary line around the middle of the Earth, crosses the southern part of the province. This means some areas are in the Northern Hemisphere and some in the Southern Hemisphere. The capital city, Makokou, is about 540 kilometers (335 miles) east of Gabon's national capital, Libreville.
Rivers and Waterfalls
The two most important rivers in the province are the Ogooué and the Ivindo. These rivers are vital for the local environment and wildlife.
In the southwest of the province, you can find Ivindo National Park. This park was created in 2002. It is famous for its beautiful waterfalls, including the Koungou, Mingouli, and Djidji waterfalls.
National Parks and Animals
Lopé National Park is another important park in the southwest. It covers an area of about 5,360 square kilometers (2,070 square miles). This park is incredibly rich in different kinds of plants and animals.
- Over 1,500 types of plants have been found here.
- It is home to 412 out of the 700 bird species found in all of Gabon.
- You can also find large groups of mandrills, gorillas, and chimpanzees living freely in the park.
There is a special center in Lopé called the Station D'Etudes des Gorilles et Chimpanzes. This center helps to monitor and study the gorillas and chimpanzees.
In the eastern part of the province is Mwagna National Park. This park has very thick rainforests and is mostly untouched by humans. It is also very rich in wildlife. The Lodié and Louayé rivers flow through Mwagna National Park.
Birdlife and Research
The lowland forests in the Ivindo River basin are home to some of the most diverse bird populations in all of Africa. The Ipassa Research Station is a special area near Makokou where many birds live. Here, 190 species of birds that are only found in the Guinea-Congo Forest biome have been recorded. This is the highest number for any such area in this region.
Administrative Divisions
Ogooué-Ivindo Province is divided into four smaller areas called departments. Each department has its own main town:
- Ivindo Department (main town: Makokou)
- Lope Department (main town: Booué)
- Mvoung Department (main town: Ovan)
- Zadie Department (main town: Mekambo)
Important Places to See
In the capital city of Makokou, you can visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of Victories. It is a significant landmark in the town.
Getting Around the Province
The main roads that pass through Ogooué-Ivindo Province are the RN3 and RN4 roads. These roads help people travel between different towns and regions. Makokou also has its own airport, called Makokou Airport, which makes it easier to reach the province by air.
See also
In Spanish: Provincia de Ogooué-Ivindo para niños
