Central African Republic on Pixibot

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in central Africa. It borders Chad in the north, Sudan on the east, the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the south, and Cameroon on the west. The CAR is situated north of the equator, separating the Congo River basin from Lake Chad and the White Nile river basin. Formerly the French colony of Ubangi-Shari, the nation was first ruled by French plantation interests, and, for three decades after it gained its independence in 1960, by military governments. While a civilian government was installed in 1993, the country's political instability remains.

RÃ©publique Centrafricaine

National motto: UnitÃ©, DignitÃ©, Travail (French: Unity, Dignity, Work)

Languages French (official), Sangho, and various tribal languages

Capital Bangui

President FranÃ§ois BozizÃ©

Prime Minister Elie DotÃ©

Area - Total - % water Ranked 42nd 622,984 kmÂ² 0%

Population
- Total (2003) - Density

Ranked 124th
3,683,538 5.8/kmÂ²

Independence Central African Republic - Date From France August 13, 1960

Currency CFA franc (XAF)

Time zone UTC1

National anthem La Renaissance

Internet TLD .cf

Calling Code 236

History

History of the Central African Republic Flag Of Central African Republic

This region has been settled from at least the 7th century by groups from the Lake Chad and upper Nile regions. Beginning in the 16th century, the area was ruled by sultans and the population was harvested by slave traders. These were traded across the Sahara and to west africa for export. New populations migrated to the area in the 18th century, including the Banda, Baya-Mandjia, and Zande.

Europeans first began to arrive here in 1885, including French and Germans. In 1894 France took possession of the region and it become the colony of Ubangi-Shari. The area was developed into a plantation economy, and suffered period but small-scale revolts. On December 1, 1958 the nation became an autonomous republic, known as the Central African Republic, and gained its full independence on August 13, 1960.

The new nation quickly descended into dictatorship under the rule of its first president, David Dacko. In 1966 Dacko was overthrown by his cousin Jean-BÃ©del Bokassa who established a highly eccentric military dictatorship. In 1977 Bokassa proclaimed himself emperor and was crowned in a lavish and expensive ceremony (the shoes he wore set a world record for their costliness) based on that of his hero Napoleon Bonaparte that was ridiculed by much of the world. His human rights violations (which are said to have included cannibalism and the feeding of school children to crocodiles, amongst others) and movements against French interests prompted France to support a coup against him in 1979, restoring Dacko to power. A second coup occurred in 1981, and democracy began in 1993. In 2003 however, there was yet another coup, bringing FranÃ§ois BozizÃ© to power.

Politics

Politics of the Central African Republic

Politics Political parties Elections

The country is currently under the rule of FranÃ§ois BozizÃ©. A new constitution was approved by voters in a referendum held on December 5, 2004. Full multiparty presidential and parliamentary elections were held in March 2005, [1] with a second round in May. BozizÃ© was declared the winner after a run off vote [2].

Prefectures

Prefectures of the Central African Republic

The territory is divided into 14 administrative prefectures, along with 2 economic prefectures and one autonomous commune. The prefectures are further divided into 71 sub-prefectures.

Geography African Central Event Republic Show

Map of the Central African Republic

Geography of the Central African Republic

This is an entirely land-locked nation within the interior of the African continent. Much of the country consists of flat, or rolling plateau savannah, typically about 500 m above sea level. In the northeast are the Fertit Hills, and there are scattered hills in southwest part of the country. To the northwest is the Yade Massif, a granite plateau with an altitude of 3,750 ft.

Much of the southern border is formed by tributaries of the Congo River, with the Mbomou River in the east merging with the Uele River to form the Ubangi River. In the west, the Sangha River flows through part of the country. The eastern border lies along the edge of the Nile river watershed.

Estimates of the amount of the country covered by forest ranges up to 75%, with the densest parts in the south. The forest is highly diverse, and includes commercially important species of Ayous, Sapelli and Sipo.[3] The current deforestation rate is 0.4% per annum, and lumber poaching is commonplace.

The climate of the C.A.R. is generally tropical. The northern areas are subject to harmattan winds, which are hot, dry, and carry dust. The northern regions have been subject to desertification, and the northeast is desert. The remainder of the country is prone to flooding from nearby rivers.

Economy

Economy of the Central African Republic African Central Republic Shopping

This is one of the least developed economies of the world, and the economy is dominated by agriculture and lumber. The primary export crop is coffee. Other notable exports include valuable timber and diamonds. The country is self-sufficient in food crops, but much of the population lives at a subsistence level. Livestock development is hindered by the presence of the tsetse fly.

Export trade is hindered by poor economic development, and the location of this country far from the coast.

The natural wilderness regions of this country had good potential as ecotourist destinations. The country is noted for its population of forest elephants. In the southwest, the Dzanga-Sangha National Park is a rain forest area. To the north, the Saint Florist National Park has been well-populated with wildlife, including leopards, lions, and rhinos. To the northeast the Bamingui-Bangoran National Park. However the population of wildlife in these parks has severely diminished over the past 20 years due to poaching, particularly from the neighboring Sudan.

Demographics

Demographics of the Central African Republic

The nation is divided into over 80 ethnic groups, each having its own language. The largest ethnic groups are the Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, and Yakoma 4%, with 2% others, including Europeans. Of the religions, 35% are indigenous beliefs, 25% Protestant, 25% Roman Catholic, and 15% Muslim.

Miscellaneous topics

Communications in the Central African Republic
Foreign relations of the Central African Republic
Military of the Central African Republic
Transportation in the Central African Republic

African Central Population Republic Size