It grew around iron ore mining and lies near the Ivindo National Park.

A branch of the Trans-Gabon Railway was originally planned to terminate in the town, but the route was abandoned for what are often described as political reasons.

In 2006, proposals to build this branch with a possible extension to other iron ore mines at Mbala, Cameroon are being considered.

Its Cathédrale Notre-Dame des Victoires is the see of the Apostolic Vicariate of Makokou, the country's last Roman Catholic missionary circonscription.

Former Gabonese Prime Ministers Emmanuel Issoze-Ngondet and Alain Claude Bilie By Nze were born in this city.