In natural resources, Gabon is one of the richest countries in Africa. Its forests have been its chief source of wealth. They have provided high-quality lumber for more than a hundred years. Wood from the huge okoume trees is used for making plywood. Gabonese forests also produce ebony and mahogany.
Lumber is the country's main export.
On the fertile land of the northwestern region, many farmers grow cacao and coffee for export. But minerals such as iron, manganese, uranium, and petroleum are increasingly important in Gabon's export trade. Formerly, most of Gabon's people had a low standard of living. But since the mid-1900's, the development of the country's mineral resources has helped raise living standards by creating new employment opportunities and spreading social services throughout the country. The Ogooue River is one of Gabon's chief means of transportation.