Country Guide • Central African Republic (C.A.R)

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Situated about 500 miles north of the equator, the Central African Republic is a landlocked nation bordered by Cameroon, Chad, the Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of Congo. The Central African Republic has over 80 ethnic groups, of which the major ethnic group are the Baya who account for 34% of the population followed by the Banda who account for 25%. The country has dense rainforests and one of the finest national parks in Africa where on the plains you can spot elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and many other animals.

Official NameCentral African Republic
Area622,984km² (240,534mile²)
Population3,683,500
ContinentAfrica
Population per mile²15
Capital CityBangui
Religions33% Roman Catholic, 50% Protestant, 12% follow local native tribal beliefs, 3% are Muslims
LanguageFrench is the official language but Sangho is the national language
GovernmentRepublic
Member of EUN/A
CurrencyCfa Franc
GDP$4.6 billion
GDP per Head$1,300
Natural ResourcesDiamonds, gold, oil, timber and uranium
Land UseArable Land 3%
AgricultureBananas, corn, cotton, coffee, manioc (tapioca), millet, timber, tobacco and yams
IndustryAgriculture, diamond mining, timber, brewing
TourismThe UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office issued a travel advice statement in November 2001 warning citizens not to travel to the Central African Republic
Natural Hazards 
Health RisksAids, Malaria, Bilharzia (schistosomiasis, which makes swimming unsafe everywhere)
ClimateThe Central African Republic has a tropical climate. There are two alternating wet seasons, one from May to June and the other from October to November as well as two dry seasons, one from November to May and the other from June to October. In the north the average annual rainfall is approx 35 inches to between 69 inches in the south. In summer the country is subject to the Harmattan which is a hot dry dust laden wind that blows from the Sahara Desert. Average annual temperature ranges in Bangui are from 21 to 29°C in July or August to 21 to 34°C in February
TimeGMT/UTC+1 hour
National DaysDecember 1
VisasOnly nationals of France, Germany, Israel and Switzerland do not need visas. There are not C.A.R embassies in every country and not one in the UK. The French embassy's can often process the applications
British EmbassyEmbassy Details

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