World Country Guide

General Information

Area
622,984 sq km (240,535 sq miles).

Population
3,819,000 (UN estimate 2002).

Population Density
6.1 per sq km.

Capital
Bangui. Population: 524,000 (1994).

Geography
The Central African Republic is bordered to the north by Chad, to the east by Sudan, to the south by the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo, and to the west by Cameroon. It is a large, landlocked territory of mostly uninhabited forest, bush and game reserves. The Chari River cuts through the centre from east to north; towards the Cameroon border the landscape rises to 2000m (6560ft) west of Bocaranga in the northwest corner, while the southwest has dense tropical rainforest. Most of the country is rolling or flat plateau covered with dry deciduous forest, except where it has been reduced to grass savannah or destroyed by bush fire. The northeast becomes desert scrubland and mountainous in parts.

Government
Republic. Head of State: President Franois Boziz since 2003. Head of Government: Prime Minister Celestin Leroy Gaombalet since 2003.

Language
The national language is Sango, but French is the official administrative language and is essential for business. Another 68 languages and dialects have been identified in addition to these.

Religion
One-half of the population is Christian. There is a small Islamic minority of 15 per cent. Animist beliefs are fostered by an estimated 24 per cent of the population.

Time
GMT + 1.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Communications

Telephone
IDD is available, although some calls are still directed through the operator. Country code: 236.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network is operated by Nationlink Telecom RCA (www.nationlinks.net) and Telecel Centrafrique (website: www.telecel.com). Coverage is limited to the capital, Bangui.

Internet
ISPs include Bangui 2000, Fateb and Socatel (website: www.socatel.intnet.cf).

Telegram
Telegrams may be sent Sat 1430-1830, Sun 0800-1830.

Post
There is a post office in each prefecture. Local postal services are unreliable. Both postal and telecommunications services are in the course of development. Airmail services to Europe take approximately one week, although it is often much longer; surface mail can take up to three months. Poste Restante facilities are available in Bangui. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1130 and 1430-1630; Sat 1430-1830; Sun 0800-1100, open for stamps and telegrams only.

Press
There are seven daily newspapers, including Le Citoyen (an independent publication), E Le Songo and Le Novateur (an independent publication). The weekly publications have limited distribution and are in French.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.