2012 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. Elections held in 2005 affirmed General BOZIZE as president; he was reelected in 2011 in voting widely viewed as severely flawed. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. The militant group the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) continues to affect stability in the Central African Republic, and several rebel groups joined together in early December 2012 and launched a series of attacks that left them in control of numerous towns in the northern and central parts of the country. The rebels - who are unhappy with BOZIZE's government - agreed to participate in peace talks in early January 2013.

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 (2003)

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

40.9% (male 1,039,808/ female 1,026,712) 55.5% (male 1,389,492/ female 1,414,881) 3.7% (male 73,983/ female 112,332) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

40.9% (male 1,039,808/ female 1,026,712)

15-64 years

55.5% (male 1,389,492/ female 1,414,881)

65 years and over

3.7% (male 73,983/ female 112,332) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

36.13 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

21.8% (2000)

Death rate

14.71 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

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

97.17 deaths/1,000 live births 105.04 deaths/1,000 live births 89.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

89.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

97.17 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

50.48 years 49.23 years 51.76 years (2012 est.)

female

51.76 years (2012 est.)

total population

50.48 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 56% 69.3% 43.2% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

43.2% (2010 est.)

male

69.3%

total population

56%

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

890 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

19.3 years 18.9 years 19.7 years (2012 est.)

female

19.7 years (2012 est.)

male

18.9 years

total

19.3 years

Nationality

Central African(s) Central African

adjective

Central African

noun

Central African(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

5,057,208 (July 2012 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

2.142% (2012 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

rural

72% of population

total

66% of population

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

15-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.66 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

4.57 children born/woman (2012 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 D. 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 D. 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 Nicolas TIANGAYE (since 17 January 2013) 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 Nicolas TIANGAYE (since 17 January 2013)

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, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), 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 [Martin ZIGUELE ]; 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

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

Budget

$335.1 million $352.2 million (2012 est.)

expenditures

$352.2 million (2012 est.)

revenues

$335.1 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15% (31 December 2012 est.) 15% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$179.5 million (2012 est.) -$191.4 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$469.5 million (31 December 2012 est.) $404.4 million (31 December 2011 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 and diamonds account for most export earnings, followed by cotton. 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. Since 2009 the IMF has worked closely with the government to institute reforms that have resulted in some improvement in budget transparency, but other problems remain. The government's additional spending in the run-up to the election in 2011 worsened CAR's fiscal situation. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs. In 2012 the World Bank approved $125 million in funding for transport infrastructure and regional trade, focused on the route between CAR's capital and the port of Douala in Cameroon. After a two year lag in donor support, the IMF's first review of CAR's extended credit facility for 2012-2015 praised improvements in revenue collection but warned of weak management of spending.

Exchange rates

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 514.1 (2012 est.) 471.87 (2011 est.) 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008)

Exports

$198.5 million (2012 est.) $186.3 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco

Exports - partners

Belgium 30.4%, China 17.1%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 7.9%, France 7.1%, Indonesia 6.3%, Morocco 5.3% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

56.4% 14.9% 28.8% (2012 est.)

agriculture

56.4%

industry

14.9%

services

28.8% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$800 (2012 est.) $800 (2011 est.) $800 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.1% (2012 est.) 3.3% (2011 est.) 3% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.168 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.847 billion (2012 est.) $3.695 billion (2011 est.) $3.578 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.1% 33% (2003)

highest 10%

33% (2003)

lowest 10%

2.1%

Imports

$341.2 million (2012 est.) $319.8 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

South Korea 45.8%, Netherlands 8.8%, France 7.2%, Cameroon 5.1% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2002)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.5% (2012 est.) 0.1% (2011 est.)

Labor force

1.926 million (2007)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

NA%

Stock of broad money

$459.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) $406.6 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$510.6 million (31 December 2012 est.) $444.7 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$372.8 million (31 December 2012 est.) $329.7 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

15.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

8% (2001 est.) 23% unemployment in Bangui

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

227,400 Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

148.8 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

45.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

54.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

46,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

160 million kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

3,175 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,481 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

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 (2012)

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) (2011)

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) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

5,400 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.824 million (2011)

Airports

40 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2012)

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

total

2

Airports - with unpaved runways

6 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

12

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

19

total

38

under 914 m

6 (2012)

Ports and terminals

Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga

Roadways

20,278 km (2010)

total

20,278 km (2010)

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) (2011)

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 (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

13,427 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2011) 51,679 (clashes between army and rebel groups since 2005) (2012)

IDPs

51,679 (clashes between army and rebel groups since 2005) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

13,427 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2011)

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 (2008)

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 (2008)