Central African Republic

National name: République Centrafricaine

Government
Multiparty republic since 1991.

Geography
Situated about 500 mi (805 km) north of the equator, the Central African Republic is a landlocked nation. The Ubangi and the Shari are the largest of many rivers.

Historical Background
The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. Prime Minister Elie Dote and his government resigned in January 2008, a day before Parliament was set to debate a censure motion against him. Faustin Archange Touadéra was named as his successor.

Capital

Bangui

Government

Republic  President François Bozizé Prime Minister Fausti

Language

Sango, French

Religion

Islamic

Area

Total 622,984 km2 (43rd) 240,534 sq mi

Population

2009 estimate 4,422,000[1] (124th) 2003 census 3,895,150 Densit7.1/km2 (223rd) 18.4/sq mi

Currency

Central African CFA franc (XAF)

GDP

estimate Total $3.309 billion Per capita $745