Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
CIA - The World Factbook The World Factbook Home
CIA - The World Factbook
Africa :: Central African Republic
page last updated on May 11, 2010
Flag of Central African Republic
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of Central African Republic
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of Central African Republic
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
No Photos available for Central African Republic
 
no photos available of Central African Republic
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. Unrest in the neighboring nations of Chad, Sudan, and the DRC continues to affect stability in the Central African Republic as well.
Back to Top
Geography ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
7 00 N, 21 00 E
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 622,984 sq km
country comparison to the world: 44
land: 622,984 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly smaller than Texas
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km (landlocked)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (landlocked)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Current Weather
tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m
highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 3.1%
permanent crops: 0.15%
other: 96.75% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
20 sq km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
144.4 cu km (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 0.03 cu km/yr (80%/16%/4%)
per capita: 7 cu m/yr (2000)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
Back to Top
People ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4,844,927
country comparison to the world: 116
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 41.1% (male 1,002,625/female 989,039)
15-64 years: 55.1% (male 1,318,765/female 1,350,647)
65 years and over: 3.8% (male 73,823/female 110,028) (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 19.1 years
male: 18.7 years
female: 19.5 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.149% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
36.79 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
15.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 39% of total population (2008)
rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 101.6 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 7
male: 109.65 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 93.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 49.68 years
country comparison to the world: 214
male: 48.45 years
female: 50.95 years (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.68 children born/woman (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
6.3% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
160,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
11,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease: malaria
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: Central African(s)
adjective: Central African
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%
note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 48.6%
male: 64.8%
female: 33.5% (2000 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.4% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 174
Back to Top
Government ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Central African Republic
conventional short form: none
local long form: Republique Centrafricaine
local short form: none
former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire
abbreviation: CAR
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Bangui
geographic coordinates: 4 22 N, 18 35 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
13 August 1960 (from France)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Republic Day, 1 December (1958)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
21 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup)
head of government: Prime Minister Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 22 January 2008)
cabinet: Council of Ministers
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
elections: under the new constitution, the president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 13 March and 8 May 2005 (next to be held on 10 May 2010); prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority
election results: Francois BOZIZE elected president; percent of second round balloting - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.6%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 35.4%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in April 2010)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 42, MLPC 11, RDC 8, PSD 4, FPP 2, ADP 2, LONDO 1, independents 34, other 1
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (three judges appointed by the president, three by the president of the National Assembly, and three by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Rally or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Londo Association or LONDO; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Ange-Felix PATASSE] (the party of deposed president); National Convergence or KNK; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Monam (combating gender-base violence)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Stanislas MOUSSA-KEMBE
chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800
FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
chief of mission: Ambassador Frederick B. COOK
embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui
mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui
telephone: [236] 61 02 00
FAX: [236] 61 44 94
note: the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band; banner combines the Pan-African and French flag colors; red symbolizes the blood spilled in the struggle for independence, blue represents the sky and freedom, white peace and dignity, green hope and faith, and yellow tolerance; the star represents aspiration towards a vibrant future
Back to Top
Economy ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry, for 40%. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag on economic revitalization. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$3.327 billion (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169
$3.249 billion (2008 est.)
$3.179 billion (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$2.006 billion (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
2.2% (2008 est.)
4.2% (2007 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$700 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220
$700 (2008 est.)
$700 (2007 est.)
note: data are in 2009 US dollars
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 55%
industry: 20%
services: 25% (2001 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1.926 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 121
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
8% (2001 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
note: 23% unemployment for Bangui
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: 2.1%
highest 10%: 33% (2003)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
61.3 (1993)
country comparison to the world: 6
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $334 million
expenditures: $362 million (2009 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.9% (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 83
5.25% (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world: 49
15% (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA (31 December 2008)
$218.3 million (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA (31 December 2008)
$47.58 million (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA (31 December 2008)
$320.2 million (31 December 2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3% (2002)
country comparison to the world: 37
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
115 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
107 million kWh (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2008 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,000 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,203 bbl/day (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 181
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 196
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-$77 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$146.7 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Japan 40.2%, Belgium 9.7%, China 8.1%, Morocco 5.9%, Indonesia 5.6%, France 4.3%, Italy 4% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$237.3 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
South Korea 20.2%, France 13.6%, Cameroon 7.7%, Netherlands 5.7%, US 5.3% (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$1.153 billion (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 481.35 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 481.8 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005)
note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par
Back to Top
Communications ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
12,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 200
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
154,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 176
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication
domestic: limited telephone service with less than 1 fixed-line connection per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular service providers, cellular usage is increasing from a low base; most fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone services are concentrated in Bangui
international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 (2001)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.cf
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
21 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 215
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
19,000 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 191
Back to Top
Transportation ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
40 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 104
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 38
2,438 to 3,047 m: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 17
under 914 m: 8 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 24,307 km (2000)
country comparison to the world: 105
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2007)
country comparison to the world: 35
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga
Back to Top
Military ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Ground Forces, General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), Military Air Service, National Police (2008)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age for selective military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 1,121,548
females age 16-49: 1,118,432 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 637,474
females age 16-49: 643,188 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 54,024
female: 53,203 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0.9% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 136
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::Central African Republic
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
refugees (country of origin): 7,900 (Sudan); 3,700 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); note - UNHCR resumed repatriation of Southern Sudanese refugees in 2006
IDPs: 197,000 (ongoing unrest following coup in 2003) (2007)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
current situation: Central African Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, street vending, and forced agricultural, mine, market and restaurant labor; to a lesser extent, children are trafficked from the Central African Republic to Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; rebels conscript children into armed forces within the country
tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Central African Republic is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in 2007; efforts to address trafficking through vigorous law enforcement measures and victim protection efforts were minimal, though awareness about trafficking appeared to be increasing in the country; the government does not actively investigate cases, work to identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations, or rescue and provide care to victims; the government has not taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008)
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
The online Factbook is updated bi-weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.