Visited
Plan to visitThe Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country located in Central Africa. It has a population of around 5 million people and its capital city is Bangui. The official languages are French and Sango.
The CAR has a rich cultural heritage, with a variety of ethnic groups and traditions. It is also home to many national parks and wildlife reserves, which are popular destinations for tourists interested in wildlife and nature.
The CAR is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a low human development index and a high level of poverty. Its economy is based primarily on subsistence agriculture, with diamonds and other natural resources also playing a role.
The country has a history of political instability and conflict, with a number of coups and rebellions in recent decades. The most recent crisis began in 2012, when a coalition of armed groups overthrew the government and seized control of the country. Since then, the CAR has been in a state of ongoing conflict, with frequent outbreaks of violence between various armed groups.
The situation in the CAR has led to widespread human rights abuses and displacement, with hundreds of thousands of people forced to flee their homes. The international community has responded with humanitarian aid and efforts to promote peace and stability in the country.
Despite these challenges, the people of the CAR remain resilient and hopeful for a better future. Efforts are underway to promote reconciliation and build a more peaceful and prosperous country for all its citizens.
National holiday
Republic Day, 1 December (1958)
Telephone Code
236
Local Emergency Phone
Local numbers only
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for all travelers. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; the Central African Republic is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.
Climate
Tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Currency (Code)
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Central francs (Central African CFA franc, XAF)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E
Major Languages
French, Sangho, tribal languages
Major Religions
Christian 89%, Muslim 9%, folk religion 1%
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested
Road Driving Side
Right
Tourist Destinations
Boali Falls; Manovo-Gounda Saint Floris National Park; Bangui; Boganda Museum; Dzanga-Sangha National Park; Chinko Nature Reserve; Bouar Megaliths; Andre Felix National Park
Major Sports
Soccer, basketball, rugby, boxing
Cultural Practices
Locals eat using their hands, so travelers are advised to eat with their hands out of respect. It is important to eat with the right hand, because the left is often considered unclean.
Tipping Guidelines
Tips of about 10% are customary for wait staff at restaurants. Small tips for hotel service staff are appreciated.
Souvenirs
Ebony wood carvings, native drums, handwoven baskets/mats, gold and gemstone jewelry, butterfly artwork
Traditional Cuisine
Makara — bread made from cassava flour
Geography
Area
total: 622,984 sq km
land: 622,984 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Climate
tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Natural resources
diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower
People and Society
Population
5,552,228 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Baya 28.8%, Banda 22.9%, Mandjia 9.9%, Sara 7.9%, M'Baka-Bantu 7.9%, Arab-Fulani (Peul) 6%, Mbum 6%, Ngbanki 5.5%, Zande-Nzakara 3%, other Central African Republic ethnic groups 2%, non-Central African Republic ethnic groups .1% (2003 est.)
Languages
French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
Religions
Christian 89%, Muslim 9%, folk religion 1%, unaffiliated 1% (2020 est.)
Population growth rate
1.77% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Bangui
Economy
Economic overview
enormous natural resources; extreme poverty; weak public institutions and infrastructure; political and gender-based violence have led to displacement of roughly 25% of population; Bangui-Douala corridor blockade reduced activity and tax collection; strong agricultural performance offset COVID-19 downturn
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$4.483 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$800 (2021 est.)
Agricultural products
cassava, yams, groundnuts, taro, bananas, sugar cane, beef, maize, plantains, milk
Industries
gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, sugar refining
Exports
$113.7 million (2017 est.)
Exports - partners
China 41%, United Arab Emirates 19%, France 7% (2019)
Exports - commodities
lumber, gold, diamonds, sea vessels, cocoa paste (2019)
Imports
$393.1 million (2017 est.)
Imports - partners
India 18%, France 12%, United States 11%, China 9%, Netherlands 7%, Belgium 7%, Malta 6% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, packaged medicines, natural gas, broadcasting equipment, second-hand clothing (2019)
