Lastoursville

Lastoursville or Mandji is a city in east-central Gabon, lying on the Ogooué River, the Trans-Gabon Railway and the N3 road. It was founded as a slave depot named Mandji, renamed Maadiville in 1883 and finally took its current name for François Rigail de Lastours in 1886. It grew around palm oil production and as an administrative centre, and soon became a major missionary centre. The town is also known for its caves.

Lastoursville

Mandji
Lastoursville
Location in Gabon
Coordinates: 0°49′S 12°22′E
Country Gabon
ProvinceOgooué-Lolo Province
DepartmentMulundu


Postcard with view of the Konilou River at Mandji

The town lies at an elevation of 206 m.

Caves

Occupying a 90-sq-km site, there are more than 40 caves identified,[1] located in dense primary rainforest close to town. Traces of human activity dates back 7000 years, when the caves were used in rituals. [2]

World Heritage Status

The caves were added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List on October 20, 2005 in the Mixed (Cultural + Natural) category.[3]

Notes
  1. Oslisly, Richard; Testa, Olivier (2017-01-01). Recherches scientifiques dans les cavités de Lastoursville et mise en valeur de la grotte de Boukama - Rapport annuel 2016 (85p). Libreville, Gabon: Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux, Gabon. p. 85.
  2. www.lonelyplanet.com/gabon/attractions/lastoursville-caves/a/poi-sig/1563090/355302
  3. Grottes de Lastourville - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

References

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