Central African Republic

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The Central African Republic, formerly the French colony of Ubangi-Shari, became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule — mostly by military governments — a civilian government was installed in 1993. The capital is Bangui. It is bordered by Chad, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo and Cameroon.

Republique Centrafricaine


(In Detail)	(Full size)

National motto: Unité, Dignité, Travail
(French: Unity, Dignity, Work)

image:LocationCentralAfricanRepublic.png

Languages

French (official), Sangho, and various tribal languages

Area
- Total
- % water

Ranked 42nd
622,984 km²
0%

Population

- Total (2003)

- Density

Ranked 124th

3,683,538

5.8/km²

Independence
- Date

From France
August 13, 1960

Currency

CFA franc (XAF)

Time zone

UTC+1

National anthem

La Renaissance (The Rebirth)

Internet TLD

.cf

Calling Code

236

Contents

8 Miscellaneous topics

History

Main article: History of the Central African Republic

Originally a colony of France, the Central African Republic became independent in 1960. The new nation quickly descended into dictatorship under the rule of its first president, David Dacko. In 1966 Dacko was overthrown by his cousin Bokassa who established a highly eccentric military dictatorship. In 1976 Bokassa proclaimed himself emperor and was crowned in a lavish and expensive ceremony widely mocked by much of the world. His human rights violations and movements against French interests prompted France to support a coup against him in 1979, restoring Dacko to power. A second coup occurred in 1981, and democracy began in 1993. In 2003 however, there was yet another coup, bringing François Bozizé to power.

Politics

Main article: Politics of the Central African Republic

The country is currently under the rule of François Bozizé. A vote on a new constitution is due to be held on November 26th 2004. Full multipartly elections are due in January 2005.

Prefectures

Main article: Prefectures of the Central African Republic

Geography

Main article: Geography of the Central African Republic

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Central African Republic

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the Central African Republic

Culture

Main article: Culture of the Central African Republic

See also:

Miscellaneous topics

	Countries in Africa
Algeria \| Angola \| Benin \| Botswana \| Burkina Faso \| Burundi \| Cameroon \| Cape Verde \| Central African Republic \| Chad \| Comoros \| Democratic Republic of the Congo \| Republic of the Congo \| Côte d'Ivoire \| Djibouti \| Egypt \| Equatorial Guinea \| Eritrea \| Ethiopia \| Gabon \| The Gambia \| Ghana \| Guinea \| Guinea-Bissau \| Kenya \| Lesotho \| Liberia \| Libya \| Madagascar \| Malawi \| Mali \| Mauritania \| Mauritius \| Morocco \| Mozambique \| Namibia \| Niger \| Nigeria \| Rwanda \| São Tomé and Príncipe \| Senegal \| Seychelles \| Sierra Leone \| Somalia \| South Africa \| Sudan \| Swaziland \| Tanzania \| Togo \| Tunisia \| Uganda \| Zambia \| Zimbabwe
Other areas: Canary Islands \| Mayotte \| Réunion \| Saint Helena \| Western Sahara

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