central african republic map and information page

Description

The Central African Republic is famed worldwide for its lowland gorilla population, Pygmy culture, and fabulous national parks.

In the 1800s, the local Pygmy population was all but decimated by the slave trade. The French (to their credit) were anti-slavery, and began to take control of this land in 1905 by establishing the colony of Ubangi-Chair. In the 1940's the country became a French overseas territory, finally gaining its independence from France in 1958.

From 1965 - 1979, the country suffered through the dictatorial reign of Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa. A series of military coups followed, with multiparty elections finally held in 1993.

The country has the potential to be a major tourist destination, but generally, that's defeated by its poor infrastructure. However, for those that somehow venture in (mostly Europeans), the pristine parks and wildlife are second to none, and hunting safaris (sadly) are still a big business.

Those national parks are home to forest elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and countless other animals. One of the lowland gorilla's last habitats is found in the rainforests of the south.

Due to consistent flooding, the land is lightly cultivated, and agriculture is mostly at the subsistence level. Diamond and Uranium mining, as well as timber harvesting remain important industries.

Within the Central African Republic, HIV/AIDS is still spreading, and the country is seriously afflicted by destabilizing financial and social problems.

Facts and Figures

Official Name Central African Republic

Population 4,303,356

Capital City Bangui (838,000)

Largest Cities Bangui, Berbérati, Carnot, Bouar

Currency CFA Franc

Currency Converter here

Latitude/Longitude 4º36' N, 18º56' E

Languages French (official), Sangho, others

Flag here

National Day 1 December; Republic Day

Religions Local beliefs, Protestant, Catholic

Land

Land Area 622,436 sq km (240,324 sq miles)

Landforms The Central African Republic is in essence an undulating plateau.

Central and south is a series of forested, rolling hills, with some topping 2000 ft. A dense tropical rainforest in the southeast fronts the Ubangi River, and in the north, the land flattens into a treeless, desert-like savanna grassland.

On the western border with Cameroon the land rises into the high granite plateau of the Karre Mountains. The Bongos Massif in the far northeast extends into Sudan.

Numerous tributaries of the Chair (Shari) and Longone rivers crisscross the land, central and north, while the Ubangi River system dominates the south, as it forms much of the country's southern border with the DRC.

Highest Pt. Mt. Kayagangiri (1,420 m) (4,660 ft)

Lowest Pt. Oubangui River (335 m) (1,099 ft)

Land Divisions 14 prefectures, 2 economic prefectures* and 1 commune**; including 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* andVakaga

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Maps

Large (color) map here

Central African Republic Outline Map here

Central African Republic CIA version here

Central African Republic Maps at UT here

African Continent (printable) here

African Continent here

Africa Landforms Map here

African Outline Map here

Suggested Links

Central African Republic (Complete) information on the (GDP) overall economy, imports and exports, resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here

Central African Republic Links here

Travel Info and Warnings here

Climate April through October is the rainy season, and in the southern part of the country, annual amounts exceed 70 inches, and severe flooding is commonplace. The north is much drier, but some areas do receive near 30 inches of rainfall.

Countrywide, temperatures are hot with very high humidity. Overall, mean high temperatures are in the mid 80s, however, daily highs are often in the high 90s, especially in the north. Lows average in the high 60s.