2010 Edition

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. Unrest in the neighboring nations of Chad, Sudan, and the DRC continues to affect stability in the Central African Republic as well.

Area

land

622,984 sq km

total

622,984 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

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

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

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, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

per capita

7 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.03 cu km/yr (80%/16%/4%)

Geographic coordinates

7 00 N, 21 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa

Irrigated land

20 sq km (2003)

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%

Location

Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

144.4 cu km (2003)

Age structure

0-14 years: 40.9% (male 928,277/female 917,739) 15-64 years: 55% (male 1,235,940/female 1,244,958) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 71,439/female 113,135) (2010 est.)

Birth rate

36.79 births/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Death rate

15.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.)

Education expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

6.3% (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

11,000 (2007 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

160,000 (2007 est.)

Infant mortality rate

female

93.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

male

109.65 deaths/1,000 live births

total

101.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

female

50.95 years (2010 est.)

male

48.45 years

total population

49.68 years

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write

female

33.5% (2000 est.)

male

64.8%

total population

48.6%

Major infectious diseases

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne disease

malaria

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Median age

female

19.5 years (2010 est.)

male

18.7 years

total

19.1 years

Nationality

adjective

Central African

noun

Central African(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population

Population

4,844,927 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.)

Population growth rate

2.149% (2010 est.)

Religions

indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

5 years (2009)

male

8 years

total

7 years

Sex ratio

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.)

Total fertility rate

4.68 children born/woman (2010 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

urban population

39% of total population (2008)

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

Capital

geographic coordinates

4 22 N, 18 35 E

name

Bangui

time difference

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

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

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Frederick B. COOK

embassy

Avenue David Dacko, Bangui

FAX

[236] 61 44 94 note: the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff

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 Stanislas MOUSSA-KEMBE

FAX

[1] (202) 332-9893

telephone

[1] (202) 483-7800

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers (For more information visit the World Leaders website )

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 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 23 January 2011); prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority

head of government

Prime Minister Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 22 January 2008)

Flag description

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

Government type

republic

Independence

13 August 1960 (from France)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

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

Legal system

based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

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

elections

last held on 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held on 23 January 2011)

National anthem

lyrics/music

Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER note: adopted 1960; Barthelemy BOGANDA, who wrote the anthem's lyrics, was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory

name

"Le Renaissance" (The Renaissance)

National holiday

Republic Day, 1 December (1958)

Political parties and leaders

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]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Monam (combating gender-base violence)

Suffrage

21 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009) 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA% (31 December 2009 est.) NA% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance

-$77 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$1.153 billion (2007 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

61.3 (1993)

Economy - overview

Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with about 60% 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

107 million kWh (2007 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

115 million kWh (2007 est.)

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 506.04 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 481.8 (2007), 522.59 (2006) 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

Exports

$146.7 million (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco

Exports - partners

Belgium 32.57%, China 10.49%, Indonesia 10.36%, Morocco 10.24%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 6.87%, France 5.79% (2009)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

55%

industry

20%

services

25% (2001 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$700 (2010 est.) $700 (2009 est.) $700 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.7% (2010 est.) 1.7% (2009 est.) 2% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.113 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.468 billion (2010 est.) $3.345 billion (2009 est.) $3.289 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 33% (2003)

Imports

$237.3 million (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

South Korea 19.29%, France 11.95%, US 7.78%, Cameroon 7.39%, Netherlands 6.77% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2002)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.9% (2007 est.)

Labor force

1.926 million (2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.)

Oil - consumption

2,000 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - imports

2,203 bbl/day (2007 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of broad money

$343.4 million (31 December 2009 est.) $292.9 million (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$357.6 million (31 December 2009) $339.1 million (31 December 2008)

Stock of narrow money

$288.8 million (31 December 2009) $241.3 million (31 December 2008)

Unemployment rate

8% (2001 est.) note: 23% unemployment for Bangui

Broadcast media

government-owned network, Radiodiffusion Television Centrafricaine, provides domestic TV broadcasting; licenses for 2 private TV stations are pending; state-owned radio network is supplemented by a small number of privately-owned broadcast stations as well as a few community radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.cf

Internet hosts

20 (2010)

Internet users

22,600 (2009)

Telephone system

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

general assessment

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

international

country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

12,000 (2009)

Telephones - mobile cellular

168,000 (2009)

Airports

37 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

total

2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

35 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 6 (2010)

Ports and terminals

Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga

Roadways

total

24,307 km (2000)

Waterways

2,800 km (the primary navigable river is the Ubangi, which joins the River Congo; it was the traditional route for the export of products because it connected with the Congo-Ocean railway at Brazzaville; because of the warfare on both sides of the River Congo from 1997, however, routes through Cameroon became preferred by importers and exporters) (2010)

Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA)

Ground Forces (includes Military Air Service), General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), National Police (2009)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,121,548 females age 16-49: 1,118,432 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 637,474 females age 16-49: 643,188 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

53,203 (2010 est.)

male

54,024

Military expenditures

0.9% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for selective military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2010)

Disputes - international

periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

197,000 (ongoing unrest following coup in 2003) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

7,900 (Sudan); 3,700 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); note - UNHCR resumed repatriation of Southern Sudanese refugees in 2006

Trafficking in persons

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) page last updated on January 19, 2011 ======================================================================