2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 41.9% (male 907,629/female 897,153) 15-64 years: 53.9% (male 1,146,346/female 1,173,268) 65 years and over: 4.2% (male 71,312/female 107,648) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber

Airports

50 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

total

3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 2 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

47 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 23

under 914 m

13 (2006)

Area

land

622,984 sq km

total

622,984 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Texas

Background

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. Geography Central African Republic

Birth rate

33.91 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$NA

revenues

$NA

Capital

geographic coordinates

4 22 N, 18 35 E

name

Bangui

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Central African Armed Forces (FACA)

Ground Forces, Military Air Service; General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), Republican Guard, National Police (2006)

Climate

tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Constitution

ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004

Country name

abbreviation

CAR

conventional long form

Central African Republic

conventional short form

none

former

Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire

local long form

Republique Centrafricaine

local short form

none

Currency (code)

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States

Currency code

XAF

Death rate

18.65 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$1.06 billion (2002 est.)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James PANOS

embassy

Avenue David Dacko, Bangui

mailing address

B. P. 924, Bangui

telephone

[236] 61 02 00

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Emmanuel TOUABOY

telephone

[1] (202) 483-7800

Disputes - international

about 30,000 refugees fleeing the 2002 civil conflict in the CAR still reside in southern Chad; periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist

Distribution of family income - Gini index

61.3 (1993)

Economic aid - recipient

ODA, $59.8 million; note - traditional budget subsidies from France (2002 est.)

Economy - overview

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.

Electricity - consumption

101.4 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - production

109 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

19.8%

hydro

80.2%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m

lowest point

Oubangui River 335 m

Environment - current issues

tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Ethnic groups

Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers

chief of state

President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup)

election results

Francois BOZIZE elected president; percent of second round balloting - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.6%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 35.4%

elections

under the new constitution, the president elected to a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held 13 March and 8 May 2005 (next to be held in 2010); prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority

head of government

Prime Minister Elie DOTE (since 13 June 2005); note - Celestin GAOMBALET resigned 11 June 2005

Exports

$131 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco

Exports - partners

Belgium 34.9%, France 9.6%, Spain 8.7%, Italy 8.1%, China 7.1%, Indonesia 6.3%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 4.7%, US 4.5%, Turkey 4.5% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 332-9893

[236] 61 44 94

note

the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Central African Republic

Flag description

four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; there is a yellow five-pointed star on the hoist side of the blue band Economy Central African Republic

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

55%

industry

20%

services

25% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,100 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.542 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$4.913 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

7 00 N, 21 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa People Central African Republic

Government type

republic

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

13.5% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

23,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

260,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

47.7% (1993)

lowest 10%

0.7%

IDPs

150,000 (ongoing unrest following coup in 2003) (2006)

Imports

$203 million f.o.b. (2004 est.)

Imports - commodities

food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners

France 16.6%, Netherlands 10.3%, Cameroon 9.7%, US 7.3% (2005)

Independence

13 August 1960 (from France)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2002)

Industries

gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles

Infant mortality rate

female

78.61 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

92.44 deaths/1,000 live births

total

85.63 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.6% (2001 est.)

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC (observer), OIF, OPCW, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.cf

Internet hosts

10 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2002)

Internet users

9,000 (2005) Transportation Central African Republic

Irrigated land

20 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (3 judges appointed by the president, 3 by the president of the National Assembly, and 3 by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts

Labor force

NA

Land boundaries

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

total

5,203 km

Land use

arable land

3.1%

other

96.75% (2005)

permanent crops

0.15%

Languages

French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages

Legal system

based on French law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (109 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - MLPC 43%, RDC 18%, MDD 9%, FPP 6%, PSD 5%, ADP 4%, PUN 3%, FODEM 2%, PLD 2%, UPR 1%, FC 1%, independents 6%; seats by party - MLPC 47, RDC 20, MDD 8, FPP 7, PSD 6, ADP 5, PUN 3, FODEM 2, PLD 2, UPR 1, FC 1, independents 7

elections

last held 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held NA 2010)

Life expectancy at birth

female

43.62 years (2006 est.)

male

43.46 years

total population

43.54 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

39.9% (2003 est.) Government Central African Republic

male

63.3%

total population

51%

Location

Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis (2007)

vectorborne disease

malaria

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

835,426 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

853,760

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

383,056 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

416,091

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Median age

female

18.8 years (2006 est.)

male

18 years

total

18.4 years

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$16.37 million (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1% (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Central African Republic

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service; conscript service obligation is two years (2005)

National holiday

Republic Day, 1 December (1958)

Nationality

adjective

Central African

noun

Central African(s)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural hazards

hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common

Natural resources

diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

2,420 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2004)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Assembly 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]; 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; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

4,303,356

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 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 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Population growth rate

1.53% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga Military Central African Republic

Radio broadcast stations

AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1 (2002)

Radios

283,000 (1997)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

19,960 (Sudan) 3,325 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); note - UNHCR resumed repatriation of Southern Sudanese refugees in 2006

Religions

indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%

note

animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority

Roadways

total

23,810 km (1999)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication

general assessment

fair system

international

country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

10,000 (2004)

Telephones - mobile cellular

60,000 (2004)

Television broadcast stations

1 (2001)

Televisions

18,000 (1997)

Terrain

vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest

Total fertility rate

4.41 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Central African Republic is a source and destination country for children trafficked for domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and forced labor in shops and commercial labor activities; while the majority of child victims are trafficked within the country, some are also trafficked to and from Cameroon and Nigeria

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - the Central African Republic failed to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in persons during 2005, specifically its inadequate law enforcement response to trafficking crimes This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Unemployment rate

8% (23% for Bangui) (2001 est.)

Waterways

2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2005)