Central African Republic

Quick Facts

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Capital

Bangui

Population

3,580,000

Government

Republic

Religions

Indigenous beliefs, Christianity (Protestant, Catholic), Islam

Languages

Sango, French

Calling Code

+236

Nationality

Central African

Local name

Republique Centrafricaine

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Introduction

Located in, well, the center of Africa, the Central African Republic (CAR) boasts many of the same attractions as its surrounding African nations, but presents them in a different way. Its national park and other parks are home to a vast variety of animals, as are its rainforests. The towns have that characteristic bustling African feel. What sets CAR apart is the low-key way the country has taken to displaying its assets. Tour operators are few. Instead, travellers are helpfully assisted by pygmies or other locals, who add a cultural dynamism which most tour operators can't match.

Like many of its surrounding African nations, however, CAR is home to much violence. Care should be taken, since foreigners are a particularly popular target amongst thieves and muggers.

Brief History

Geography

Regions

The Central African Republic is made up of 14 administrative prefectures, 2 economic prefectures (Nana-Grébizi and Sangha-Mbaéré) and an autonomous commune (Bangui).

The administrative prefectures are

• Bamingui-Bangoran
• Basse-Kotto
• Haute-Kotto
• Haut-Mbomou
• Kémo
• Lobaye
• Mambéré-Kadéï
• Mbomou
• Nana-Mambéré
• Ombella-M'Poko
• Ouaka
• Ouham
• Ouham-Pendé
• Vakaga

Cities

• Bangui - The capital
• Berbérati
• Bimbo
• Carnot
• Bambari
• Bouar
• Bossangoa
• Bria
• Bangassou

Sights and Activities

Events and Festivals

Weather

Getting there

Plane

Bangui M’Poko International Airport (BGF) near the capital Bangui is where all international planes arrive and depart. Destinations include Douala and Tripoli with Afriqiyah Airways, Paris with Air France, Brazzaville, Douala, Yaoundé with Cameroon Airlines and Brazzaville, Cotonou, Douala, N'Djamena with Toumaï Air Chad.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Plane

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Red Tape

Money

See also Money matters

Central African Republic uses the CFA Franc as a currency. The CFA Franc is divided into 100 centimes. Coins come in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 500 francs while banknotes come in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 francs
The exchange range is fixed at aproximately 656 CFA Francs for one Euro.

In Central African Republic the Central African CFA Franc (XAF) is used which has the same vallue as the West African CFA Franc (XOF), but it's not possible to use both currencies in the same country.

Fourteen countries in Africa use this currency, eight in West Africa and six in Central Africa. The West African CFA Franc can only be used in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo, while the Central African CFA Franc can only be used in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Work

Study

Language

Eat

Sleep

Drink

Health

Safety

Keep Connected

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