About
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 has since
established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main
parties, a wide field of affiliated and independent candidates will contest the municipal, legislative, and presidential
elections scheduled for February 2005. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of
lawlessness persist.
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Source: The World Factbook
Population: 3,799,897
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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution
of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2005 est.)
Capital: Bangui
Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Religions: indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%
animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Government: republic
Climate: tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Terrain: vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau;
scattered hills in northeast and southwest
Geography: landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
Ethnic groups: Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia
13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%
Economy: 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 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, with GDP
growth at only 0.5% in 2004 and 2.5% in 2005. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the
international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2005 est.)
GDP real growth: 2.5% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: 8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.)
Internet country code: .cf
Dial code: +236
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Local currency is the CFA Franc BEAC
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