Central+African+Republic

Central African Republic


 * Flag**

There are four horizontal stripes: Blue, white, green, and yellow. (top to bottom) A vertical red stripe goes down the center. In the corner of the blue band is a yellow star.

Central African Republic is located in Central Africa. It is relatively located north of Democratic Republic of the Congo.
 * Location **



**​Geography**
 * Area -** 622,984 sq km
 * Borders-** Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km

The terrain is a vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau with scattered hills in the northeast and southwest.

Natural resources of this country include diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, and hydropower.

The land use of this country is 3.1% arable, 0.15% permanent crops, and 96.75% other.

Natural Hazards here are hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds that affect northern areas. Floods are very common.

The environmental issues are that tap water is not potable, poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges, desertification, and deforestation.

Climate of Central African Republic is tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers.


 * People **
 * Population -** 4,511,488
 * Population Growth Rate -** 1.491%
 * Net Migration Rate -** NA (2009 est.)
 * Infant Mortality Rate -** 80.62 deaths/1,000 live births
 * Life Expectancy -** 44.47 years
 * Literacy -** age fifteen and over can read and write
 * Languages -** French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
 * Ethnic Groups -** Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%
 * Religion -** indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%
 * Education -** 1.4% of GDP

Leader -** President Francois BOZIZE
 * Government
 * Independence -** from France 13 August 1960
 * Capital -** Bangui
 * Government Type -** Republic
 * Suffrage -** 21 years of age; universal
 * Economy**
 * Economic Overview -** 70% of the population lives in outlying areas. Timber had about 16% of export earnings and diamonds had 40%. Income is extremely unequal. There are grants from France but they can only meet part of the humanitarian needs.

**GDP per Capita -** $700 (2008 est.) **Imports (commidities) -** food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals Internet Access ** There is limited staffing in CAR so they can only provide basic services to americans there. Americans are told to register with the U.S. Embassy if they are living or traveling here so that they can get any updated information.
 * Unemployment -** 8% (2001 est.)
 * Exports (commodities) -** diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco
 * Industries -** gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
 * Currency/Exchange Rate -** Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 481.8 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004)
 * Agricultural Products -** timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas
 * Illicit Drugs -** N/A

**​Military**
 * Military Expenditures -** 1.1% of GDP

​The U.S Department of State recommends that people should not travel to Central African Republic because their government is not sure that they can guarantee the saftely of the travelers. Most parts of this country are unsafe. The government does say that you could travel outside of the capital.
 * Tourist Information **

**Current Event** About 3,000 lRA Rebel's have crossed over to the Democatic Republic of Congo from Central African republic. They went to CAR to find safety after the army attacked their camps. 26 people have been killed so far.

May 28, 2001 - ** Coup attempt; president's home was fired at. 4 guards died. **June 3, 2001 -** President Claims Victory **November 7, 2001 -** Rebel Stronghold Taken; barracks were captured after fighting for 5 days in the capital. **July 4, 2002 -** Plane crashed and killed 20 people. **November 21, 2003 -** David Dacko, the Independence leader, died. **March 8, 2004 -** Haiti's Aristide defiant in exil
 * Timeline
 * July 17, 2001 - ** U.N demands end to violence
 * November 5, 2001 - ** President's Villa under fire
 * May 18, 2007 -** Rebels to liberate child soldiers
 * June 26, 2007 -** Children reized for ransom

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ct.html http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_940.html http://bangui.usembassy.gov/service.html http://allafrica.com/stories/200910060885.html http://www.mapreport.com/countries/car.html
 * Works Cited **