Central African Republic

Central African Republic

area:	622,980sq km (240,533sq mi)
population:	3,885,800
capital (population):	Bangui (652,900)
government:	Multiparty republic
ethnic groups:	Banda 29%, Baya 25%, Ngbandi 11%, Azande 10% Sara 7%, Mbaka 4%, Mbum 4%
languages:	French (official), Sango (most common)
religions:	Traditional beliefs 57%, Christianity 35%, Islam 8%
currency:	CFA franc = 100 centimes

Landlocked nation in central Africa; the capital is Bangui.

Land and climate

It lies on a plateau, mostly 600–800m (1970–2620ft) above sea level, forming a watershed between the headwaters of two river systems. In the s, the rivers flow into the navigable River Ubangi (a tributary of the River Congo). The Ubangi and the Bomu form much of its s border. In the n, most rivers are headwaters of the River Chari, which flows n into Lake Chad. Bangui has a warm climate with a high average annual rainfall of 1574mm (62in). The n is drier, with rainfall of c.800mm (31in). Wooded savanna covers much of the country, with open grasslands in the n and rainforests in the sw. The country has many forest and savanna animals, such as buffalo, leopards, lions and elephants, and many bird species. About 6% of the land is protected in national parks and reserves, but tourism is on a small scale because of the republic's remoteness.

Economy

Central African Republic is a low-income developing country (2000 GDP per capita, US$1700), c.10% of the land is cultivated and more than 80% of the workforce are engaged in subsistence agriculture. The main food crops are bananas, maize, manioc, millet and yams. Coffee, cotton, timber and tobacco are the main cash crops. Diamonds are the most valuable single export. Manufacturing is on a small scale. Its poor transport system, untrained workforce and heavy dependence on foreign aid (especially from France) have impeded development. The country has no dominant tribe; most inhabitants migrated into the area during the past 200 years to escape the slave trade.

History and politics

Little is known of the country's early history. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, the population was greatly reduced by slavery, and the country is still thinly populated. France first occupied the area in 1887, and in 1894 established the colony of Ubangi-Shari at Bangui. In 1906 the colony was united with Chad, and in 1910 was subsumed into French Equatorial Africa (which included Chad, Congo and Gabon). Forced-labour rebellions occurred in 1928, 1935 and 1946. During World War II Ubangi-Shari supported the Free French. Post-1945 the colony received representation in the French parliament. In 1958 the colony voted to become a self-governing republic within the French community, and became the Central African Republic. In 1960 it declared independence, but the next six years saw a deterioration in the economy, and increasing government corruption and inefficiency under President David Dacko. In 1966 Colonel Jean Bédel Bokassa assumed power in a bloodless coup. He abrogated the constitution and dissolved the National Assembly. In 1976 Bokassa transformed the republic into an empire, and proclaimed himself Emperor Bokassa I. His rule became increasingly brutal, and in 1979 he was deposed in a French-backed coup led by Dacko. Dacko, faced with continuing unrest, was replaced by André Kolingba in 1981. The army quickly banned all political parties. The country adopted a new, multiparty constitution in 1991. In 1996, an army rebellion was suppressed with the assistance of French troops. In 1998 a UN peace-keeping force was sent to oversee fresh elections.

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.afrika.no/index/Countries/Central_African_Republic/index.html