Central African Republic
5478
225557329
2008-07-14T08:36:14Z
Jumbuck
116385
robot Modifying: [[fa:آفریقای مرکزی]]
{{see also|Central Africa|Central African Federation}}
{{Infobox Country
|native_name = ''République Centrafricaine''<br/>''Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka''
|conventional_long_name = Central African Republic
|common_name = the Central African Republic
|image_flag = Flag of the Central African Republic.svg
|image_coat = Central african coa.png
|image_map = LocationCentralAfricanRepublic.svg
|national_motto = ''"Unité, Dignité, Travail"''{{spaces|2}}<small>([[French language|French]])<br/>"Unity, Dignity, Work"</small>
|national_anthem = ''[[La Renaissance]]''{{spaces|2}}<small>(French)</small><br/>''E Zingo''{{spaces|2}}<small>([[Sango]])</small>
|official_languages = [[Sango]], [[French language|French]]
|demonym = Central African
|capital = [[Bangui]]
|latd=4 |latm=22 |latNS=N |longd=18 |longm=35 |longEW=E
|largest_city = capital
|government_type = [[Republic]]
|leader_title1 = [[Heads of state of the Central African Republic (and Central African Empire)|President]]
|leader_name1 = [[François Bozizé]]
|leader_title2 = [[Heads of government of the Central African Republic (and Central African Empire)|Prime Minister]]
|leader_name2 = [[Faustin-Archange Touadéra]]
|sovereignty_type = [[Independence]]
|sovereignty_note = from [[France]]
|established_event1 = Date
|established_date1 = [[August 13]] [[1960]]
|area_km2 = 622,984
|area_sq_mi = 240,534 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|area_rank = 43rd
|area_magnitude = 1 E11
|percent_water = 0
|population_estimate = 4,216,666 <!--unfpa.org-->
|population_estimate_year = 2007
|population_estimate_rank = 124th
|population_density_km2 = 6.77
|population_density_sq_mi = 17.53 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
|population_density_rank = 191st
|population_census = 3,895,150 <!--unfpa.org-->
|population_census_year = 2003
|GDP_PPP = $5.015 billion <!--imf.org-->
|GDP_PPP_year = 2006
|GDP_PPP_rank = 153rd
|GDP_PPP_per_capita = $1,198
|GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 167th
|GDP_nominal = $1.48 billion <!--imf.org-->
|GDP_nominal_rank = 152nd
|GDP_nominal_year = 2006
|GDP_nominal_per_capita = $355
|GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 160th
|FSI = 101.97 {{increase}} 3.5
|FSI_year = 2007
|FSI_rank = 10th
|FSI_category = <font color="#FF0000">Alert</font>
|HDI_year = 2007
|HDI = {{increase}} 0.384
|HDI_rank = 171st
|HDI_category = <font color="#E0584E">low</font>
|Gini = 61.3
|Gini_year = 1993
|Gini_category = <font color="red">high</font>
|currency = [[Central African CFA franc]]
|currency_code = XAF
|time_zone = [[West Africa Time|WAT]]
|utc_offset = +1
|time_zone_DST = not observed
|utc_offset_DST = +1
|cctld = [[.cf]]
|calling_code = 236
|footnotes =
}}
The '''Central African Republic''' ('''CAR'''), {{lang-fr|République Centrafricaine}} {{pronounced|ʀepyblik sɑ̃tʀafʀikɛn}} or ''Centrafrique'' {{IPA|[sɑ̃tʀafʀik]}}) is a [[landlocked country]] in [[Central Africa]]. It borders [[Chad]] in the north, [[Sudan]] in the east, the [[Republic of the Congo]] and the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] in the south, and [[Cameroon]] in the west.
Most of the CAR consists of Sudano-Guinean savannas but it also includes a [[Sahelo-Sudanese]] zone in the north and an equatorial forest zone in the south. Two thirds of the country lies in the basins of the [[Ubangi River]], which flows south into the [[Congo River]], while the remaining third lies in the basin of the [[Chari River]], which flows north into [[Lake Chad]].
Since most of the territory is located in the Ubangi and Shari river basins, the French called the colony it carved out in this region [[Ubangi-Shari]], or [[Oubangui-Chari]] in French. This French colony of Ubangi-Shari became a semi-autonomous territory of the [[French Community]] in 1958 and then an independent nation on [[13 August]] [[1960]]. For over three decades after independence, the CAR was ruled by presidents who were not chosen in truly democratic elections or who took power by force. Local discontent with this system was eventually reinforced by international pressure, following the end of the [[Cold War]].
The first fair democratic elections were held in 1993 with resources provided by the country's donors and help from the UN Office for Electoral Affairs. They brought [[Ange-Félix Patassé]] to power, but President Patassé lost popular support and was [[coup d'état|overthrown]] by French-backed General [[François Bozizé]] in 2003. General Bozizé won a [[Central African Republic elections, 2005|democratic election]] in May 2005.
Inability to pay workers in the public sector led to strikes in 2007, forcing the resignation of the government in early 2008. A new Prime Minister, [[Faustin-Archange Touadéra]] was named on January 22, 2008.
The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world and among the ten poorest countries in Africa.
In 2001 ''[[The Ecologist]]'' magazine estimated that Central African Republic is the world's leading country in [[sustainable development]].<ref>[http://www2.hs.fi/english/archive/news.asp?id=20010424IE1 HS Foreign 24.4.2001 - Did the Central African Republic surpass Finland in environmental affairs?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== History ==
{{main|History of the Central African Republic}}
===Pre-history===
Between about 1000 BC and 1000 AD, [[Adamawa-Eastern]]-speaking peoples spread eastward from Cameroon to Sudan and settled in most of the territory of the CAR. During the same period, a much smaller number of [[Bantu]]-speaking immigrants settled in Southwestern CAR and some [[Central Sudanic]]-speaking populations settled along the Oubangi. The majority of the CAR's inhabitants thus speak Adamawa-Eastern languages or Bantu languages belonging to the [[Niger-Congo]] family. A minority speak Central Sudanic languages of the [[Nilo-Saharan]] family. More recent immigrants include many Muslim merchants who most often speak [[Arabic]] or [[Hausa]].
===Exposure to the outside world===
Until the early 1800s, the peoples of the CAR lived beyond the expanding Islamic frontier in the Sudanic zone of Africa and thus had relatively little contact with [[Abrahamic religions]] or northern economies. During the first decades of the nineteenth century, however, Muslim traders began increasingly to penetrate the region of the CAR and to cultivate special relations with local leaders in order to facilitate their trade and settlement in the region. The initial arrival of Muslim traders in the early 1800s was relatively peaceful and depended upon the support of local peoples, but after about 1850, slave traders with well-armed soldiers began to penetrate the region. Between c. 1860 and 1910, slave traders from [[Sudan]], [[Chad]], [[Cameroon]], [[Dar al-Kuti]] in Northern CAR and [[Nzakara]] and [[Azande|Zande]] states in Southeastern CAR exported much of the population of Eastern CAR, a region with very few inhabitants today.
===French colonialism===
{{POV|date=February 2008}}
European penetration of Central African territory began in the late nineteenth century during the so-called [[Scramble for Africa]] (c. 1875-1900). Count [[Savorgnan de Brazza]] took the lead in establishing the [[French Congo]] with headquarters in the city named after him, [[Brazzaville]], and sent expeditions up the Ubangi River in an effort to expand France's claims to territory in Central Africa. [[King Leopold II]] of [[Belgium]], [[Germany]] and the [[United Kingdom]] also competed to establish their claims to territory in the Central African region. In 1889 the French established a post on the Ubangi River at [[Bangui]], the future capital of [[Ubangi-Shari]] and the CAR. De Brazza then sent expeditions in 1890-91 up the [[Sangha River]] in what is now Southwestern CAR, up the center of the Ubangi basin toward [[Lake Chad]], and eastward along the Ubangi River toward the [[Nile]]. De Brazza and the procolonial in France wished to expand the borders of the French Congo to link up with French territories in [[West Africa]], [[North Africa]] and [[East Africa]]. In 1894, the French Congo's borders with Leopold II's [[Congo Free State]] and German Cameroon were fixed by diplomatic agreements. Then, in 1899, the French Congo's border with Sudan was fixed along the Congo-Nile watershed, leaving France without her much coveted outlet on the Nile and turning Southeastern Ubangi-Shari into a cul-de-sac.
Once European negotiators agreed upon the borders of the French Congo, France had to decide how to pay for the costly occupation, administration, and development of the territory. The reported financial successes of Leopold II's concessionary companies in the Congo Free State convinced the French government in 1899 to grant 17 private companies large concessions in the Ubangi-Shari region. In return for the right to exploit these lands by buying local products and selling European goods, the companies promised to pay rent to the colonial state and to promote the development of their concessions. The companies employed European and African agents who frequently used extremely brutal and atrocious methods to force Central Africans to work for them. At the same time, the French colonial administration began to force Central Africans to pay taxes and to provide the state with free labor. The companies and French administration often collaborated in their efforts to force Central Africans to work for their benefit, but they also often found themselves at odds. Some French officials reported abuses committed by private company militias and even by their own colonial colleagues and troops, but efforts to bring these criminals to justice almost always failed. When news of terrible atrocities committed against Central Africans by concessionary company employees and colonial officials or troops reached France and caused an outcry, there were investigations and some feeble attempts at reform, but the situation on the ground in Ubangi-Shari remained essentially the same.
In the meantime, during the first decade of French colonial rule (c. 1900-1910), the rulers of African states in the Ubangi-Shari region increased their slave raiding activities and also their sale of local products to European companies and the colonial state. They took advantage of their treaties with the French to procure more weapons which were used to capture more slaves and so much of the eastern half of Ubangi-Shari was depopulated as a result of the export of Central Africans by local rulers during the first decade of colonial rule. Those who had power, Africans and Europeans, often made life miserable for those who did not have the power to resist.
During the second decade of colonial rule (c. 1910-1920), armed employees of private companies and the colonial state continued to use brutal methods to deal with local populations who resisted forced labor but the power of local African rulers was destroyed and so slave raiding was greatly diminished. In 1911, the Sangha and Lobaye basins were ceded to Germany as part of an agreement which gave France a free-hand in Morocco and so Western Ubangi-Shari came under German rule until World War I, during which France reconquered this territory by using Central African troops.
The third decade of colonial rule (1920-1930) was a period of transition during which a network of roads was built, cash crops were promoted, mobile health services were formed to combat [[sleeping sickness]], and [[Protestant]] missions established stations in different parts of the country. New forms of forced labor were also introduced, however, as the French conscripted large numbers of Ubangians to work on the [[Congo-Ocean Railway]] and many of these recruits died of exhaustion and illness. In 1925 the French writer [[André Gide]] published ''[[Voyage au Congo]]'' in which he described the alarming consequences of conscription for the Congo-Ocean railroad and exposed the continuing atrocities committed against Central Africans in Western Ubangi-Shari by employees of the Forestry Company of Sangha-Ubangi, for example. In 1928 a major insurrection, the [[Kongo-Wara]] 'war of the hoe handle' broke out in Western Ubangi-Shari and continued for several years. The extent of this insurrection, perhaps the largest anticolonial rebellion in Africa during the interwar years, was carefully hidden from the French public because it provided evidence, once again, of strong opposition to French colonial rule and forced labor.
During the fourth decade of colonial rule (c. 1930-1940), [[cotton]], [[tea]], and [[coffee]] emerged as important cash crops in Ubangi-Shari and the mining of [[diamond]]s and [[gold]] began in earnest. Several cotton companies were granted purchasing monopolies over large areas of cotton production and were thus able to fix the prices paid to cultivators in order to assure profits for their shareholders. Europeans established coffee plantations and Central Africans also began to cultivate coffee.
The fifth decade of colonial rule (c. 1940-1950) was shaped by the [[World War II|Second World War]] and the political reforms which followed in its wake. In September 1940 pro-Gaullist French officers took control of Ubangi-Shari.
===Independence===
On [[1 December]] [[1958]] the colony of Ubangi-Shari became an autonomous territory within the [[French Community]] and took the name Central African Republic. The founding father and president of the ''Conseil de Gouvernement'', [[Barthélémy Boganda]], died in a mysterious plane accident in 1959, just eight days before the last elections of the colonial era. On [[13 August]] [[1960]] the Central African Republic gained its independence and two of Boganda's closest aides, [[Abel Goumba]] and [[David Dacko]], became involved in a power struggle. With the backing of the French, Dacko took power and soon had Goumba arrested. By 1962 President Dacko had established a one-party state.
On [[31 December]] [[1965]] Dacko was overthrown by Colonel [[Jean-Bédel Bokassa]], who suspended the constitution and dissolved the National Assembly. President Bokassa declared himself President for life in 1972, and named himself Emperor Bokassa I of the [[Central African Empire]] on [[4 December]] [[1976]]. A year later, Emperor Bokassa crowned himself in a lavish and expensive ceremony that was ridiculed by much of the world. In 1979 France carried out a coup against Bokassa and "restored" Dacko to power. Dacko, in turn, was overthrown in a coup by General [[André Kolingba]] on [[1 September]] [[1981]].
Kolingba suspended the constitution and ruled with a military junta until 1985. He introduced a new constitution in 1986 which was adopted by a nationwide referendum. Membership in his new party, the [[Rassemblement Démocratique Centrafricain]] (RDC) was voluntary. In 1987, semi-competitive elections to parliament were held and municipal elections were held in 1988. Kolingba's two major political opponents, Abel Goumba and [[Ange-Félix Patassé]], boycotted these elections because their parties were not allowed to compete.
By 1990, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a pro-democracy movement became very active. In May 1990 a letter signed by 253 prominent citizens asked for the convocation of a National Conference but Kolingba refused this request and detained several opponents. Pressure from the United States, more reluctantly from France, and from a group of locally represented countries and agencies called GIBAFOR (France, USA, Germany, Japan, EU, World Bank and UN) finally led Kolingba to agree, in principle, to hold free elections in October 1992, with help from the UN Office of Electoral Affairs. After using the excuse of alleged irregularities to suspend the results of the elections as a pretext for holding on to power, President Kolingba came under intense pressure from GIBAFOR to establish a "Conseil National Politique Provisoire de la République" (Provisional National Political Council) (CNPPR) and to set up a "Mixed Electoral Commission" which included representatives from all political parties.
When elections were finally held in 1993, again with the help of the international community, Ange-Félix Patassé came in first in the first round and Kolingba came in fourth after Abel Goumba and David Dacko. In the second round, Patassé won 53 percent of the vote while Goumba won 45.6 percent. Most of Patassé's support came from Gbaya, Kare and Kaba voters in seven heavily-populated prefectures in the northwest while Goumba's support came largely from ten less-populated prefectures in the south and east. Furthermore, Patassé's party, the ''Mouvement pour la Libération du Peuple Centrafricain'' (MLPC) or Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People gained a simple but not an absolute majority of seats in parliament, which meant Patassé needed coalition partners.
Patassé relieved former President Kolingba of his military rank of general in March 1994 and then charged several former ministers with various crimes. Patassé also removed many [[Yakoma]] from important, lucrative posts in the government. Two hundred mostly Yakoma members of the presidential guard were also dismissed or reassigned to the army. Kolingba's RDC loudly proclaimed that Patassé's government was conducting a "witch hunt" against the Yakoma.
A new constitution was approved on [[28 December]] [[1994]] and promulgated on [[14 January]] [[1995]], but this constitution, like those before it, did not have much impact on the practice of politics. In 1996-1997, reflecting steadily decreasing public confidence in its erratic behaviour, three mutinies against Patassé's government were accompanied by widespread destruction of property and heightened ethnic tension. On [[25 January]] [[1997]], the Bangui Peace Accords were signed which provided for the deployment of an inter-African military mission, the ''Mission Interafricaine de Surveillance des Accords de Bangui'' (MISAB). Mali's former president, [[Amadou Toumani Touré|Amadou Touré]], served as chief mediator and brokered the entry of ex-mutineers into the government on [[7 April]] [[1997]]. The MISAB mission was later replaced by a U.N. peacekeeping force, the ''Mission des Nations Unies en RCA'' (MINURCA).
In 1998 parliamentary elections resulted in Kolingba' RDC winning 20 out of 109 seats, which constituted a comeback, but in 1999, notwithstanding widespread public anger in urban centers with his corrupt rule, Patassé won free elections to become president for a second term. On [[28 May]] [[2001]] rebels stormed strategic buildings in Bangui in an unsuccessful coup attempt. The army chief of staff, Abel Abrou, and General Francois N'Djadder Bedaya were shot, but Patassé regained the upper hand by bringing in at least 300 troops of the rebel leader [[Jean-Pierre Bemba]] from over the river in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and by Libyan soldiers.
In the aftermath of this failed coup, militias loyal to Patassé sought revenge against rebels in many neighborhoods of the capital, Bangui, that resulted in the destruction of many homes as well as the torture and murder of many opponents. Eventually Patassé came to suspect that General [[François Bozizé]] was involved in another coup attempt against him and so Bozizé fled with loyal troops to Chad. On [[25 October]] [[2002]] Bozizé launched a surprise attack against Patassé, who was out of the country. Libyan troops and some 1,000 soldiers of Bemba's Congolese rebel organization failed to stop the rebels, who took control of the country and thus succeeded in overthrowing Patassé.
François Bozizé suspended the constitution and named a new cabinet which included most opposition parties. Abel Goumba, "Mr. Clean", was named vice-president, which gave Bozizé's new government a positive image. Bozizé established a broad-based National Transition Council to draft a new constitution and announced that he would step down and run for office once the new constitution was approved. A national dialogue was held from [[15 September]] to [[27 October]] [[2003]], and Bozizé won a fair election that excluded Patassé, to be elected president on a second ballot, in May 2005.
== Development and humanitarian needs ==
The CAR is heavily dependent upon [[Multilateralism|multilateral]] foreign [[aid]] and the presence of numerous [[NGO]]s which provide numerous services which the government fails to provide. As one [[UNDP]] official put it, the CAR is a country "sous serum," or a country metaphorically hooked up to [[Intravenous therapy|an IV]]. (Mehler 2005:150). The very presence of numerous foreign personnel and organizations in the country, including peacekeepers and even refugee camps, provides an important source of revenue for many Central Africans.
The country is self-sufficient in food crops, but much of the population lives at a subsistence level. [[Livestock]] development is hindered by the presence of the [[tsetse fly]].
In 2006 due to ongoing violence, over 50,000 in the country's north-west were at risk of starvation,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=58581 |title=Thousands could die of starvation, says [[UN|United Nations]] spokesperson Maurizio Giuliano}}</ref> and this was only averted thanks to [[United Nations]] support.{{Fact|date=December 2007}}
== Politics ==
{{main|Politics of the Central African Republic}}
The country is currently under the rule of [[François Bozizé]]. A new constitution was approved by voters in a referendum held on [[December 5]] [[2004]]. Full multiparty [[Central African Republic elections, 2005|presidential and parliamentary elections]] were held in March 2005,<ref>[http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/87ba6e292f78b0bc6dbbaeb9c2ef6bd9.htm Reuters AlertNet - CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Polls results to be announced on 22 May, official says<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> with a second round in May. Bozizé was declared the winner after a [[Two-round system|run-off vote]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1067615.stm BBC NEWS | World | Africa | Country profiles | Timeline: Central African Republic<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
In February 2006, there were reports of widespread violence in the northern part of the CAR.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4747772.stm BBC NEWS | Africa | Thousands flee new CAR 'rebels'<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Thousands of refugees fled their homes, caught in the crossfire of battles between government troops and rebel forces. More than 7,000 people fled to neighboring [[Chad]]. Those who remained in the CAR told of government troops systematically killing men and boys suspected of cooperating with rebels.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4844664.stm BBC NEWS | Africa | Thousands flee from CAR violence<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
== Prefectures and sub-prefectures ==
[[Image:CAR prefectures.png|thumb|right|300px|Prefectures of the Central African Republic]]
{{main|Prefectures of the Central African Republic|Sub-prefectures of the Central African Republic}}
The Central African Republic is divided into 14 administrative [[prefecture]]s (''préfectures''), along with 2 economic prefectures (''préfectures economiques'') and one autonomous [[commune (subnational entity)|commune]]. The prefectures are further divided into 71 sub-prefectures (''sous-préfectures'').
The [[prefectures of the Central African Republic|prefectures]] include:
<table><td>
*[[Bamingui-Bangoran]]
*[[Basse-Kotto]]
*[[Haute-Kotto]]
*[[Haut-Mbomou]]
*[[Kémo]]
*[[Lobaye]]
*[[Mambéré-Kadéï]]
</td><td>
*[[Mbomou]]
*[[Nana-Mambéré]]
*[[Ombella-M'Poko]]
*[[Ouaka]]
*[[Ouham]]
*[[Ouham-Pendé]]
*[[Vakaga]]
</td></table>
the two economic prefectures are [[Nana-Grébizi]] and [[Sangha-Mbaéré]]; the commune is [[Bangui]].
== Geography ==
{{main|Geography of the Central African Republic}}
{{MapLibrary|Cenafrep sat.png|Central African Republic}}
[[Image:central african republic sm04.png|thumb|left|Map of the Central African Republic]]
The Central African Republic is an entirely land-locked nation within the interior of the African continent. It is bordered by the countries of Cameroon, Chad, the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. Much of the country consists of flat, or rolling plateau [[savanna]], typically about 1,640 [[Foot (unit of length)|feet]] (500 m) above sea level. In the northeast are the Fertit Hills, and there are scattered hills in southwest part of the country. To the northwest is the Yade Massif, a [[granite]] plateau with an altitude of 3,750 feet (1,143 m).
At 240,519 [[square miles|mi²]] (622,984 [[square kilometre|km²]]), the Central African Republic is the world's 43rd-largest country (after [[Somalia]]). It is comparable in size to [[Ukraine]], and is somewhat smaller than the US state of [[Texas]].
Much of the southern border is formed by tributaries of the [[Congo River]], with the [[Mbomou River]] in the east merging with the [[Uele River]] to form the [[Ubangi River]]. In the west, the [[Sangha River]] flows through part of the country. The eastern border lies along the edge of the [[Nile river]] [[drainage basin|watershed]].
Estimates of the amount of the country covered by forest ranges up to 8%, with the densest parts in the south. The forest is highly diverse, and includes commercially important species of [[Ayous]], [[Sapelli]] and [[Sipo (timber)|Sipo]]. <ref>http://www.forestsmonitor.org/reports/solddownriver/car.htm</ref> The current deforestation rate is 0.4% per annum, and lumber poaching is commonplace.<!-- http://carpe.umd.edu/products/carpe_cd_02/CARPE_Briefs/congo_06.html -->
The climate of the C.A.R. is generally [[tropic]]al. The northern areas are subject to [[harmattan]] winds, which are hot, dry, and carry dust. The northern regions have been subject to [[desertification]], and the northeast is desert. The remainder of the country is prone to flooding from nearby rivers.
== Economy ==
{{main|Economy of the Central African Republic}}
[[Image:Central African Republic - Boy in Birao.jpg|thumb|right|upright|A boy playing with a burnt lamp in the city of Birao, Central African Republic. The town was almost completely burnt down in March 2007 during fighting between rebels and government troops.]]
The economy of the CAR is dominated by the cultivation and sale of food crops such as [[cassava]], [[peanut]]s, [[maize]], [[sorghum]], [[millet]], [[sesame]] and [[plantain]]s. The current annual real GDP growth rate is just above 3%. The importance of foodcrops over exported [[cash crops]] is indicated by the fact that the total production of cassava, the staple food of most Central Africans, ranges between 200,000 and 300,000 [[ton]]s a year, while the production of [[cotton]], the principal exported cash crop, ranges from 25,000 to 45,000 tons a year. Foodcrops are not exported in large quantities but they still constitute the principal cash crops of the country because Central Africans derive far more income from the periodic sale of surplus foodcrops than from exported cash crops such as cotton or [[coffee]]. Many rural and urban women also transform some foodcrops into alcoholic drinks such as sorghum beer or hard liquor and derive considerable income from the sale of these drinks. Much of the income derived from the sale of foods and alcohol is not "on the books" and thus is not considered in calculating per capita income, which is one reason why official figures for per capita income are not accurate in the case of the CAR. The [[per capita income]] of the CAR is often listed as being around $300 a year, said to be one of the lowest in the world, but this figure is based mostly on reported sales of exports and largely ignores the more important but unregistered sale of foods, locally-produced [[alcoholic beverage|alcohol]], [[diamond]]s, [[ivory]], [[bushmeat]], and [[traditional medicine]], for example. The [[informal economy]] of the CAR is more important than the formal economy for most Central Africans.
Diamonds constitute the most important export of the CAR, frequently accounting for 40-55% of export revenues, but an estimated 30-50% of the diamonds produced each year leave the country clandestinely.
Export trade is hindered by poor economic development, and the location of this country far from the coast.
The natural wilderness regions of this country had good potential as [[ecotourist]] destinations. The country is noted for its population of [[forest elephant]]s. In the southwest, the [[Dzanga-Sangha National Park]] is a rain forest area. To the north, the [[Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Park]] has been well-populated with wildlife, including [[leopard]]s, [[lion]]s, and [[Rhinoceros|rhino]]s. To the northeast the [[Bamingui-Bangoran National Park]]. However the population of wildlife in these parks has severely diminished over the past 20 years due to poaching, particularly from the neighboring [[Sudan]].
== Demographics ==
{{main|Demographics of the Central African Republic}}
The population has tripled since independence. In 1960 the population was 1,232,000. The current population is at 4,302,360. ''(February 2008 est.) 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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected.''
The [[United Nations]] estimates that approximately 11% of the population ages 15 - 49 is [[HIV]] positive.<ref>[http://www.unaids.org/en/Regions_Countries/Countries/central_african_republic.asp Countries<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Only 3% of the country has [[antiretroviral]] therapy available, compared to 17% coverage in neighbouring countries of [[Chad]] and the [[Republic of the Congo]].<ref>http://data.unaids.org/pub/GlobalReport/2006/2006_GR_ANN3_en.pdf</ref>
The nation is divided into over 80 ethnic groups, each having its own language. The largest ethnic groups are the [[Baya]] 33%, [[Banda people|Banda]] 27%, [[Mandjia]] 13%, [[Sara people|Sara]] 10%, [[Mboum]] 7%, [[M'Baka]] 4%, and [[Yakoma]] 4%, with 2% others, including [[Europe]]ans. Religiously, about 35% of the population follows indigenous beliefs, 25% is [[Protestant]], 25% is [[Roman Catholic]], and 15% is [[Muslim]].
== Culture ==
{{main|Culture of the Central African Republic}}
''See also'':
*[[List of African writers (by country)#Central African Republic|List of writers from the Central African Republic]]
*[[Music of the Central African Republic]]
*[[Public holidays in the Central African Republic]]
== Miscellaneous topics ==
* [[Communications in the Central African Republic]]
* [[Foreign relations of the Central African Republic]]
* [[Military of the Central African Republic]]
* [[Transport in the Central African Republic]]
* [[List of people on stamps of Central African Republic]]
* [[Fédération des Eclaireurs Scouts Centrafricains]]
* [[Central African Republic national football team]]
==See also==
*[[List of Central African Republic-related topics]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* Maria Petringa, ''Brazza, A Life for Africa'' (2006) ISBN 9781-4259-11980
== External links==
{{sisterlinks|Central African Republic}}
* [http://www.professores.uff.br/hjbortol/arquivo/2006.1/applets/central_african_republic_en.html location of Central African Republic on a 3D globe (Java)]
* [http://anath.everywebhost.com/fiction.php?title=Firecrackers:%20memories%20of%20civil%20violence Short memoir of civil violence in Central African Republic]
* [[Safer Access]] - [http://www.saferaccess.org/documents/Safer%20Access%20CAR%20Briefing%20-%2022%20Jan%2006.pdf Briefing on security situation in CAR 20 Jan 06]
; Humanitarian Situation
*[http://www.hdptcar.net/ Website of Humanitarian and Development Agencies in CAR - ''Central African Republic'']
*[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/inside-frances-secret-war-396062.html The Independent - "Inside France's Secret War"]
; News
*[http://allafrica.com/centralafricanrepublic/ allAfrica - ''Central African Republic''] news headline links
*[http://www.irinnews.org/frontpage.asp?SelectRegion=Great_Lakes&SelectCountry=Central_African_Republic IRIN News for CAR, from the United Nations]
* {{fr icon}} [http://www.rcainfo.org Official website of Central African Republic]
; Overviews
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/country_profiles/1067518.stm BBC News - ''Country Profile: Central African Republic'']
*{{CIA World Factbook link|ct|Central African Republic}}
*[http://www.child-soldiers.org/document_get.php?id=764 Report on Central African Republic's Army]
*[http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=17397&Valider=OK Reporter's Without Borders Report]
; Directories
*[http://dmoz.org/Regional/Africa/Central_African_Republic Open Directory Project - ''Central African Republic''] directory category
*[http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/ssrg/africa/centralafr.html Stanford University - Africa South of the Sahara: ''Central African Republic''] directory category
*[http://www.kodro.net/ The Index on Africa - ''Central African Republic''] directory category
*[http://www.sas.upenn.edu/African_Studies/Country_Specific/CAR.html University of Pennsylvania - African Studies Center: ''Central African Republic''] directory category
*[http://dir.yahoo.com/Regional/Countries/Central_African_Republic/ Yahoo! - ''Central African Republic''] directory category
; Ethnic groups
* [http://www.pygmies.info/ African Pygmies] Culture and music of the first inhabitants of the Central African Republic, with photos and ethnographic notes
; Tourism
*{{wikitravel}}
{{Template group
|title = Geographic locale
|list =
{{Countries of Africa}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = International membership
|list =
{{African Union (AU)}}
{{Community of Sahel-Saharan States}}
{{La Francophonie|state=collapsed}}
{{Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)|state=collapsed}}
}}
{{Template group
|title = Languages
|list =
{{Afro-Asiatic-speaking nations}}
{{Niger-Congo-speaking nations}}
}}
<!--Please do not add this article to any more categories; instead, place [[Category:Central African Republic]] in the category.-->
<!--Categories-->
[[Category:Central African Republic| ]]
[[Category:Least Developed Countries]]
[[Category:French-speaking countries|Central African Republic]]
[[Category:Landlocked countries]]
<!--Other languages-->
[[af:Sentraal-Afrikaanse Republiek]]
[[als:Zentralafrikanische Republik]]
[[am:የመካከለኛው አፍሪካ ሪፑብሊክ]]
[[ang:Middel Affricanisc Cynewīse]]
[[ar:جمهورية أفريقيا الوسطى]]
[[an:Republica Zentroafricana]]
[[frp:Rèpublica centrafriquêna]]
[[ast:República Centroafricana]]
[[az:Mərkəzi Afrika]]
[[bn:মধ্য আফ্রিকা]]
[[zh-min-nan:Tiong-hui Kiōng-hô-kok]]
[[be-x-old:Цэнтральна-Афрыканская Рэспубліка]]
[[bs:Centralnoafrička Republika]]
[[br:Republik Kreizafrikan]]
[[bg:Централноафриканска република]]
[[ca:República Centreafricana]]
[[ceb:Republikang Sentral Aprikano]]
[[cs:Středoafrická republika]]
[[cy:Gweriniaeth Canolbarth Affrica]]
[[da:Centralafrikanske Republik]]
[[de:Zentralafrikanische Republik]]
[[dv:މެދުތެރޭ އެފްރިކާގެ ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ]]
[[et:Kesk-Aafrika Vabariik]]
[[el:Κεντροαφρικανική Δημοκρατία]]
[[es:República Centroafricana]]
[[eo:Centr-Afrika Respubliko]]
[[eu:Afrika Erdiko Errepublika]]
[[fa:آفریقای مرکزی]]
[[fo:Miðafrikalýðveldið]]
[[fr:République centrafricaine]]
[[fy:Sintraal-Afrikaanske Republyk]]
[[ga:Poblacht na hAfraice Láir]]
[[gv:Pobblaght yn Affrick Veanagh]]
[[gd:Poblachd Meadhan Afraga]]
[[gl:República Centroafricana - République Centroafricaine]]
[[ko:중앙아프리카 공화국]]
[[hi:केन्द्रीय अफ्रीकी गणराज्य]]
[[hr:Srednjoafrička Republika]]
[[io:Centrafrika]]
[[bpy:মধ্য আফ্রিকা]]
[[id:Republik Afrika Tengah]]
[[ia:Republica Centroafrican]]
[[ie:Central African Republic]]
[[os:Централон—Африкаг Республикæ]]
[[is:Mið-Afríkulýðveldið]]
[[it:Repubblica Centrafricana]]
[[he:הרפובליקה המרכז-אפריקאית]]
[[jv:Republik Afrika Tengah]]
[[pam:Central African Republic]]
[[kn:ಮಧ್ಯ ಆಫ್ರಿಕಾದ ಗಣರಾಜ್ಯ]]
[[ka:ცენტრალური აფრიკის რესპუბლიკა]]
[[kk:Орталық Африка Республикасы]]
[[kw:Sentrafrika]]
[[sw:Jamhuri ya Afrika ya Kati]]
[[kg:Repubilika ya Afelika ya Kati]]
[[ht:Repiblik santafrik]]
[[ku:Komara Efrîqaya Navîn]]
[[la:Respublica Africae Mediae]]
[[lv:Centrālāfrikas Republika]]
[[lb:Zentralafrikanesch Republik]]
[[lt:Centrinės Afrikos Respublika]]
[[lij:Repubbrica Çentro-Africann-a]]
[[li:Centraal Afrika]]
[[ln:Santrafríka]]
[[lmo:Repüblica Centrafricana]]
[[hu:Közép-afrikai Köztársaság]]
[[mk:Централноафриканска Република]]
[[ml:മദ്ധ്യ ആഫ്രിക്കന് റിപ്പബ്ലിക്ക്]]
[[ms:Republik Afrika Tengah]]
[[nah:Tlācatlahtohcāyōtl Tlahco Africān]]
[[nl:Centraal-Afrikaanse Republiek]]
[[ja:中央アフリカ]]
[[no:Den sentralafrikanske republikk]]
[[nn:Den sentralafrikanske republikken]]
[[nov:Sentral Afrikani Republike]]
[[oc:Centreafrica]]
[[uz:Markaziy Afrika Respublikasi]]
[[ps:د افريقا منځنی جمهوريت]]
[[pms:Repùblica Centrafrican-a]]
[[nds:Zentraalafrikaansche Republiek]]
[[pl:Republika Środkowoafrykańska]]
[[pt:República Centro-Africana]]
[[crh:Merkeziy Afrika]]
[[ro:Republica Centrafricană]]
[[qu:Chawpi Afrika Republika]]
[[ru:Центральноафриканская Республика]]
[[se:Gaska-Afrihká republihkka]]
[[sa:केन्द्रीय अफ्रीका गणराज्य]]
[[sg:Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka]]
[[sq:Afrika qendrore]]
[[scn:Ripubblica Centrafricana]]
[[simple:Central African Republic]]
[[sk:Stredoafrická republika]]
[[sl:Srednjeafriška republika]]
[[sr:Централноафричка Република]]
[[sh:Srednjoafrička Republika]]
[[fi:Keski-Afrikan tasavalta]]
[[sv:Centralafrikanska republiken]]
[[tl:Republikang Gitnang-Aprikano]]
[[ta:மத்திய ஆபிரிக்கக் குடியரசு]]
[[te:సెంట్రల్ ఆఫ్రికన్ రిపబ్లిక్]]
[[th:สาธารณรัฐแอฟริกากลาง]]
[[vi:Cộng hoà Trung Phi]]
[[tg:Ҷумҳурии Африқои Марказӣ]]
[[tr:Orta Afrika Cumhuriyeti]]
[[uk:Центрально-Африканська Республіка]]
[[vec:Republica Zsentrafricana]]
[[vo:Zänoda-Frikop]]
[[wo:Réewum Diggu Afrig]]
[[ts:Central African Republic]]
[[yo:Ilẹ̀ Olómìnira Orílẹ̀-èdè Àrin Áfríkà]]
[[diq:Cumurêtê Afrika Miyanêne]]
[[bat-smg:Centrėnės Afrėkas Respoblėka]]
[[zh:中非共和國]]