The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in the heart of Africa, bordered by Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon. It is known for its vast tropical rainforests, diverse wildlife, and the Sangha River basin, which shelters forest elephants and western lowland gorillas. Despite its rich natural resources, including diamonds and gold, it remains one of the least densely populated countries on the continent.
- Capital
- Bangui
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- Middle Africa
- Area
- 622,984 km²
- Coordinates
- 7° N, 21° E
Country facts
- The country gained independence from France on August 13, 1960.
- Sango, a Bantu-based creole language, serves as the national lingua franca alongside French.
- The Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve is a renowned protected area home to forest elephants and western lowland gorillas.
- The Central African Republic is one of the world's leading sources of gem-quality diamonds.
- Traditional music often features the balafon, a wooden xylophone-like instrument central to many West and Central African cultures.
Capital facts
- Bangui is situated on the northern bank of the Ubangi River, which forms the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- The city was founded by French colonial forces in 1889 as an administrative post.
- The Bangui Cathedral, a prominent Roman Catholic church, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city.
- Bangui's central market is a vibrant hub where locals trade crafts, textiles, and fresh produce.
- The city's name is thought to derive from a local word referring to the rapids on the Ubangi River near the settlement.