2011 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

622,984 sq km 622,984 sq km 0 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

Oubangui River 335 m Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands Law of the Sea

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)

0.03 cu km/yr (80%/16%/4%) 7 cu m/yr (2000)

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

10 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

5,203 km Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, South Sudan 990 km, Sudan 175 km

border countries

Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, South Sudan 990 km, Sudan 175 km

total

5,203 km

Land use

3.1% 0.15% 96.75% (2005)

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

41% (male 1,021,144/female 1,007,819) 55.3% (male 1,353,600/female 1,382,291) 3.7% (male 73,977/female 111,196) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

41% (male 1,021,144/female 1,007,819)

15-64 years

55.3% (male 1,353,600/female 1,382,291)

65 years and over

3.7% (male 73,977/female 111,196) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

36.46 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

21.8% (2000)

Death rate

15.01 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 92% of population rural: 51% of population total: 67% of population urban: 8% of population rural: 49% of population total: 33% of population (2008)

rural

49% of population

total

33% of population (2008)

urban

8% of population

Education expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

4.3% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

4.7% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

11,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

130,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.2 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

99.38 deaths/1,000 live births 107.34 deaths/1,000 live births 91.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

91.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

99.38 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

50.07 years 48.84 years 51.35 years (2011 est.)

female

51.35 years (2011 est.)

total population

50.07 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 48.6% 64.8% 33.5% (2000 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

33.5% (2000 est.)

male

64.8%

total population

48.6%

Major cities - population

BANGUI (capital) 702,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria meningococcal meningitis schistosomiasis rabies (2009)

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

Maternal mortality rate

850 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

19.2 years 18.8 years 19.6 years (2011 est.)

female

19.6 years (2011 est.)

male

18.8 years

total

19.2 years

Nationality

Central African(s) Central African

adjective

Central African

noun

Central African(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

4,950,027 (July 2011 est.) 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

Population growth rate

2.146% (2011 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 43% of population rural: 28% of population total: 34% of population urban: 57% of population rural: 72% of population total: 66% of population (2008)

rural

72% of population

total

66% of population (2008)

urban

57% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

7 years 8 years 5 years (2009)

female

5 years (2009)

male

8 years

total

7 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.67 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

4.63 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

39% of total population (2010) 2.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

39% of total population (2010)

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

Bangui 4 22 N, 18 35 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

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

Central African Republic none Republique Centrafricaine none Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire CAR

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

Ambassador Laurence WOHLERS Avenue David Dacko, Bangui B. P. 924, Bangui [236] 61 02 00 [236] 61 44 94 the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff

chief of mission

Ambassador Laurence WOHLERS

embassy

Avenue David Dacko, Bangui

FAX

[236] 61 44 94

mailing address

B. P. 924, Bangui

telephone

[236] 61 02 00

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Stanislas MOUSSA-KEMBE 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-7800 [1] (202) 332-9893

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

President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup) Prime Minister Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 22 January 2008) Council of Ministers president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 23 January 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister appointed by the president Francois BOZIZE elected to a second term as president; percent of vote - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.4%, Ange-Felix PATASSE 21.4%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 6.8%, Emile Gros Raymond NAKOMBO (RDC) 4.6%, Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH (NAP) 2.8%

cabinet

Council of Ministers

chief of state

President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup)

election results

Francois BOZIZE elected to a second term as president; percent of vote - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.4%, Ange-Felix PATASSE 21.4%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 6.8%, Emile Gros Raymond NAKOMBO (RDC) 4.6%, Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH (NAP) 2.8%

elections

president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 23 January 2011 (next to be held in 2016); prime minister appointed by the president

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 law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, 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

civil law system based on the French model

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 23 January 2011 and 27 March 2011 (next to be held in 2016) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 62, independents 26, MLPC 2, other 15

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 62, independents 26, MLPC 2, other 15

elections

last held on 23 January 2011 and 27 March 2011 (next to be held in 2016)

National anthem

"Le Renaissance" (The Renaissance) Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER adopted 1960; Barthelemy BOGANDA, who wrote the anthem's lyrics, was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory

lyrics/music

Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER

name

"Le Renaissance" (The Renaissance)

National holiday

Republic Day, 1 December (1958)

National symbol(s)

elephant

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]; New Alliance for Progress or NAP [Jean-Jacques DEMAFOUTH]; 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

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$325.7 million $335.2 million (2010 est.)

expenditures

$335.2 million (2010 est.)

revenues

$325.7 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.5% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15% (31 December 2010 est.) 15% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$168.4 million (2010 est.) -$181.9 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$402.8 million (31 December 2010 est.) $396 million (31 December 2009 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

148.8 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

160 million kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 481.8 (2007) 522.59 (2006)

Exports

$152.5 million (2010 est.) $123.9 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco

Exports - partners

Belgium 25.6%, China 17.5%, Morocco 12.1%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 8.1%, France 6.1%, Indonesia 4.9% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

53.8% 14.5% 31.7% (2010 est.)

agriculture

53.8%

industry

14.5%

services

31.7% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

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

GDP - real growth rate

3.3% (2010 est.) 1.7% (2009 est.) 2% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.018 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.446 billion (2010 est.) $3.337 billion (2009 est.) $3.281 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.1% 33% (2003)

highest 10%

33% (2003)

lowest 10%

2.1%

Imports

$312.2 million (2010 est.) $270.9 million (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Netherlands 27.8%, France 11.9%, Cameroon 8.3%, China 5.1% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2002)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.5% (2010 est.) 3.5% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

11.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

1.926 million (2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

2,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

2,418 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$186 million (31 December 2010 est.) $210.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$365.1 million (31 December 2010 est.) $343.4 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$381.4 million (31 December 2010 est.) $357.6 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$304.4 million (31 December 2010 est.) $288.8 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

16.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

8% (2001 est.) 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

network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication 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 country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

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 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.02 million (2010)

Airports

37 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2010)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

6 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

12

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

16

total

35

under 914 m

6 (2010)

Ports and terminals

Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga

Roadways

24,307 km (2000)

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)

Manpower available for military service

1,149,856 1,145,897 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,145,897 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,149,856

Manpower fit for military service

655,875 661,308 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

661,308 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

655,875

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

54,843 53,999 (2010 est.)

female

53,999 (2010 est.)

male

54,843

Military branches

Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Ground Forces (includes Military Air Service), General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), National Police (2011)

Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA)

Ground Forces (includes Military Air Service), General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), National Police (2011)

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 (2011)

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

7,900 (Sudan); 3,700 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); note - UNHCR resumed repatriation of Southern Sudanese refugees in 2006 197,000 (ongoing unrest following coup in 2003) (2007)

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

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, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; rebels continue to abduct and exploit enslaved Sudanese, Congolese, Central African, and Ugandan children for use as cooks, porters, concubines, and combatants Tier 3 - Central African Republic does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government, which has limited human and physical capital, did not investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses, identify or provide protective services to trafficking victims, or take steps to raise public awareness about the dangers of human trafficking; the revised Central African penal code, enacted in January 2010, outlaws all forms of trafficking in persons, but awareness of this statute remains low (2011)

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, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; rebels continue to abduct and exploit enslaved Sudanese, Congolese, Central African, and Ugandan children for use as cooks, porters, concubines, and combatants

tier rating

Tier 3 - Central African Republic does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; the government, which has limited human and physical capital, did not investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses, identify or provide protective services to trafficking victims, or take steps to raise public awareness about the dangers of human trafficking; the revised Central African penal code, enacted in January 2010, outlaws all forms of trafficking in persons, but awareness of this statute remains low (2011)