Central African Republic

 

Quick Facts

• Continental region –Central Africa is a sub region of the African continent
• Currency symbol of Central African Republic  –Central African CFA Franc, FCFA
• Capital City – Bangui 
• Official languages –French and Sangho
• Population –4,851,534, (2020)
• Country dialling code  –  (+236)
• Official website –Central African Republic
• Top 3 biggest industries  –Agriculture, Livestock and Fishing
• Google Maps link –Central African Republic
• Where is it? –The Central African Republic is roughly the size of France and is bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan and South Sudan to the north and east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa) and the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) to the south, and Cameroon to the west.

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Central African Republic In Pictures

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Central African Republic History

• How did the country get its first name? -The Central African Empire (French: Empire centrafricain) was a short-lived and self-proclaimed “imperial” one-party state ruled by an absolute monarch that replaced the Central African Republic and was, in turn, replaced by the restoration of the Republic. The empire was formed by and under the command of Marshal Jean-Bédel Bokassa, military dictator and president of the Central African Republic, on 4 December 1976.
• When and by whom the country was first discovered? –The earliest period of settlement began around 10,000 years ago when nomadic people first began to settle, farm and fish in the region. The next period began around 1,000 to 3,000 years ago when several non-indigenous groups began to migrate into the region from other parts of the continent. The third period involved the colonial conquest and rule of the country by France and Germany.
• Who were the first Inhabitants? -The earliest inhabitants were the probable ancestors of today’s Aka (Pygmy) peoples, who live in the western and southern forested regions of the country. The slave state of Dar al-Kuti occupied the northern reaches until the various regions of the Central African Republic were brought under French colonial rule late in the 19th century. 
• When it was first recognized as a country? -On 13 August 1960 the Central African Republic became an independent country and David Dacko became its first President.
• Who was the first leader of the country? -Dacko became the official President of the Central African Republic after defeating Abel Goumba in an internal power struggle. Dacko had support from the French government. Bokassa seized power by staging a coup d’état from 31 December 1965 until 1 January 1966.

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Five significant events –

1. 1958 Self-government: The territory achieves self-government within French Equatorial Africa with Boganda as prime minister. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13150044)
2. 1962 One-party state: President makes the country a one-party state. The Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa, Mesan, becomes the only legal party.(https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/06/central-african-republic-timeline)
3. 1969 Independence: The Central African Republic becomes independent with David Dacko, nephew of Boganda, as president.(https://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/places/africa/central-african-republic/central-african-republic/history)
4. 1976 Renaming of Country:  Bokassa proclaims himself emperor and renames the country the “Central African Empire”. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13150044)
5. 1993 End of military Rule: Military rule ends with election of President Ange-Félix Patassé.(https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/06/central-african-republic-timeline)

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Five Places to Visit in Central African Republic

1. Bangui: The capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui is situated on the banks of the Ubangi River. As with many African cities the nightlife and markets here are worth visiting. In addition to this, the presidential palace is a key attraction. The setting of the city within the rapids of the Ubangi River and the rolling hills nearby make it a city with natural charm. (https://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g293777-Bangui-Vacations.html)
2. Zinga: This town may be small, measuring only 1km in length and 300m in width, but it is a valuable place to visit for tourists in the Central African Republic. The wooden houses here are great examples of traditional Congo houses. (https://www.touristlink.com/central-african-republic/zinga/overview.html)
3. Manovo-Gounds St Floris National Park: Located on the border between the Central African Republic and Chad, the Manovo-Gounda National Park is one of the finest places in the country to see wildlife. The park covers a huge area of around 1.75 million hectares and is home to many species of animals including the incredibly rare black rhino.(https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/manovo-gounda-st-floris-national-park-central-african-republic.html)
4. Dzanga-Ndoki National Park: Another massive National Park and another massive reason to visit the Central African Republic. The National Park of Dzanga-Ndoki is located in the south-west of the country and has been around since 1990.(https://www.grida.no/resources/1509)
5. Boali: The small town of Boali is mainly visited for the nearby Boali Falls. These waterfalls are just upstream from the town and are possibly the best known landmark in the Central African Republic. (https://www.wondermondo.com/boali-falls/)

References:

• https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-is-the-capital-of-the-central-african-republic.html
• https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/central-african-republic-population/
• https://www.howtocallabroad.com/central-africa/
• https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-biggest-industries-in-the-central-african-republic.html
• https://www.britannica.com/place/Central-African-Republic