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Central African Republic
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The Central African Republic (French: République
Centrafricaine) 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. Most of the
CAR consists of Sudano-Guinean savannas but it also includes
a Sahelo-Sudanese zone in the north and an Equatorial forest
zone in the south. Two thirds of the country lies in the
basins of the Ubangi river, which flows south into the Congo
River, while the remaining third lies in the basin of the
Shari river, which flows north into Lake Chad. Since most of
the territory is located in the Ubangi and Shari river
basins, the French called the colony it carved out in this
region Ubangi-Shari, or Oubangui-Chari in French. This
French colony of Ubangi-Shari became a semi-autonomous
territory of the French Community in 1958 and then an
independent nation on 13 August 1960. For over three decades
since independence the CAR was ruled by presidents who were
not chosen in truly democratic elections or who took power
by force. The first fair democratic elections were held in
1993 and brought Ange-Félix Patassé to power, but President
Patassé was overthrown by General François Bozizé in 2003.
General Bozizé won a democratic election in May 2005 and
remains in power today.
Geography
Main article: Geography of the Central African Republic
Map of the Central African RepublicThis is an entirely
land-locked nation within the interior of the African
continent. Much of the country consists of flat, or rolling
plateau savanna, 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.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of the Central African Republic
The population has tripled since independence. In 1960 the
population was 1,232,000.
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.
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Background:
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The
former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the
Central African Republic upon independence in 1960.
After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly
by military governments - a civilian government was
installed in 1993. |
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Location:
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Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the
Congo |
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Geographic coordinates:
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7 00
N, 21 00 E
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Map references:
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Africa |
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Area:
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total: 622,984 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 622,984 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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slightly smaller than Texas |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 5,203 km
border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197
km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km,
Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km |
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Climate:
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tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
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Terrain:
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vast,
flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills
in northeast and southwest |
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Nationality:
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noun: Central African(s)
adjective: Central African |
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Ethnic groups:
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Baya
33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%,
M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2% |
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Religions:
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indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman
Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%
note: animistic beliefs and practices
strongly influence the Christian majority |
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Languages:
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French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and
national language), tribal languages |
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Currency:
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Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note -
responsible authority is the Bank of the Central
African States |
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Currency code:
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XAF
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Exchange rates:
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Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US
dollar - 742.79 (January 2002), 733.04 (2001),
711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67
(1997); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is
pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per euro
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