Landscape of Central African Republic
Flag of Central African Republic

Central African Republic

Africa

The Central African Republic is a presidential republic with a president and prime minister. A new constitution was ratified in 2015, changing the electoral process so that presidents are elected through a universal, direct vote for terms of five years. Those elected can run for a second term. The nation was formerly a French colony, and gained its independence in 1960. The government has had a tumultuous political past with unreliable elections and numerous militant governments seizing control of the country after it gained its independence, the most recent event was a coup in 2013.1 With a GDP per capita of $7002 the Central African Republic is one of the least developed nations in the world.3 68 percent of girls are married before age 18 in the Central African Republic, and 29 percent are married by age 15.4 The nation has the second highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with 882 deaths per 100,000 live births. Infant mortality is 86.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, the third highest rate in the world. Food security and healthcare in the Central African Republic are unreliable.5 3 https://www.heritage.org/index/country/centralafricanrepublic 4 https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/child-marriage/central-african-republic/ 5 https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ct.html

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About Central African Republic

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. In March, 2003 President Ange-Felix PATASSE was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Elections held in 2005 affirmed General BOZIZE as president; he was reelected in 2011 in voting widely viewed as flawed. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. The militant group the Lord's Resistance Army continues to destabilize southeastern Central African Republic, and several rebel groups joined together in early December 2012 to launch a series of attacks that left them in control of numerous towns in the northern and central parts of the country. The rebels - who are unhappy with BOZIZE's government - participated in peace talks in early January 2013 which resulted in a coalition government including the rebellion's leadership. In March 2013, the coalition government dissolved, rebels seized the capital, and President BOZIZE fled the country. Rebel leader Michel DJOTODIA assumed the presidency, reappointed Nicolas TIANGAYE as Prime Minister, and established a transitional government on 31 March. On 13 April 2013, the National Transitional Council affirmed DJOTODIA as President.

Quick Facts

Population
5,166,510 (July 2013 est.)
Area
622,984 sq km
ISO Code
CF
Continent
Africa
Government
republic
Active Causes
12
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Geography & Environment

Climate

tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers

Terrain

vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest

Natural Resources

diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower

Environmental Issues

tap water is not potable; poaching has diminished the country's reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges; desertification; deforestation

People & Society

50.9 years
Avg. Life Expectancy
56.6%
Literacy Rate
39.1% of total population (2011)
Total Urban Population

Languages

French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages

Religions

indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%

Health Expenditure

4% of GDP (2010) of GDP

Education Expenditure

1.2% of GDP (2011) of GDP

Economy

$800
GDP per Capita (PPP)
8%
Unemployment Rate
NA%
Below Poverty Line

Economic Overview

Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry and mining, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with about 60% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates more than half of GDP. Timber and diamonds account for most export earnings, followed by cotton. Important constraints to economic development include the CAR's landlocked position, a poor transportation system, a largely unskilled work force, and a legacy of misdirected macroeconomic policies. Factional fighting between the government and its opponents remains a drag o...

Causes in Central African Republic

Environment

In the Central African Republic, the leading environmental issues are water pollution, poaching — resulting in the of mishandling of the nation’s wildlife refuge — as well as desertification, deforestation and soil erosion.1 The republic is party to several international agreements pertaining to the environment including agreements on biodiversity, climate change, desertification and endangered species.2

Family

68 percent of girls are married before age 18 in the Central African Republic, and 29 percent are married by age 15.1 The nation has the second highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with 882 deaths per 100,000 live births. Infant mortality is 86.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, the third highest rate in the world. Food security and healthcare in the Central African Republic are unreliable.2 Marriages are typically arranged by families.3

Human Rights

Militant groups in the central and northwest regions of the Central African Republic continue to upend the lives of civilians in the regions. The government often depends upon UN peacekeepers to maintain control of the capital. There are an estimated 461,000 Central African refugees in neighboring countries, and another 421,700 are internally displaced.1 There are approximately 2.4 million people in the nation who are dependent upon humanitarian assistance.2 68 percent of girls are married before age 18 in the Central African Republic, and 29 percent are married by age 15.3

Education

Public education within the Central African Republic is modeled after the French system,1 and the average student is anticipated to remain in school for 7 years.2 28,600 children have been forced to flee the Central African Republic as a result of violence between communities, spurred on by armed militants. UNICEF estimates that 357,400 children are being deprived access to education, health and protection services as a result of the conflicts that persist across the nation.3 Just 36 percent of the population is literate with 50 percent of men being literate compared to 24 percent of women.4 There is one university in the Central African Republic in the capital.5

Poverty

The Central African Republic is one of the least developed nations in the world.1 23.5 percent of children are underweight, and 78.2 percent of the population lacks access to modern sanitation facilities.2 UNICEF estimates that 357,400 children are being deprived access to education, health and protection services as a result of the conflicts that persist across the nation.3 Over half of the Central African Republic’s population lives in rural regions and is heavily dependent upon subsistence farming.4 The GDP per capita is the lowest in the world, $700.5

Religion

35 percent of the Central African Republic identifies with indigenous religious beliefs, 25 percent identify as Catholic, 25 percent as Christian and 15 percent as Muslim. However, animism heavily affects the Christian and Catholic faith practices of those who adhere to them.1 An estimated 461,000 Central African refugees are in other countries, most are Muslim.2 In 2018, a Catholic church in the capital was attacked by gunmen was grenades, killing 15 and injuring dozens more.3

Clean Water

31.5 percent of the Central African Republic’s population lacks access to clean drinking water, and 78.2 percent of the population lacks access to modern sanitation facilities. Water pollution and non-potable tap water are two major environmental issues for the nation, as well as waterborne diseases such as schistosomiasis, bacterial and protozoal diarrhea and hepatitis A and E.1

Economy

The Central African Republic is one of the least developed nations in the world.1 Weak infrastructure and heavy amounts of regulations create roadblocks for economic growth. Over half of the Central African Republic’s population lives in rural regions and is heavily dependent upon subsistence farming.2 Timber and diamond exports generate the majority of the nation’s export revenue.3 The Central African Republic has the lowest GDP per capita in the world, $700.4 The national GDP is $3.37 billion.5

Government

The Central African Republic is a presidential republic with a president and prime minister. A new constitution was ratified in 2015, changing the electoral process so that presidents are elected through a universal, direct vote for terms of five years. Those elected can run for a second term. The nation was formerly a French colony, and gained its independence in 1960.1 Transparency International rates the Central African Republic as a 23 out of 100 for the public’s low trust in the government’s ability to curb corruption.2 The government has had a tumultuous political past with unreliable elections and numerous militant governments seizing control of the country after it gained its independence, the most recent event be a coup in 2013.3

Health

Risk of contracting major infectious diseases in the Central African Republic is high, particularly with diseases such as hepatitis A and E, typhoid, malaria, dengue fever, meningococcal meningitis and schistosomiasis.1 23.5 percent of children are underweight, and 78.2 percent of the population lacks access to modern sanitation facilities.2 4 percent of the adult population has HIV/AIDS, one of the highest rates in the world.3 The Central African Republic has the second highest maternal mortality rate at 882 deaths per 100,000 live births, and the third highest infant mortality rate at 86.3 deaths per 1,000 live births.4

Children

60 percent of the Central African Republic’s population is under the age of 24, and over 1,000,000 members of the population are under the age of 14. The nation has the second highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with 882 deaths per 100,000 live births. Infant mortality is 86.3 deaths per 1,000 live births, the third highest rate in the world. Food security and healthcare in the Central African Republic are unreliable. The average child is expected to remain in school just 7 years.1 28,600 children have been forced to flee the Central African Republic as a result of violence between communities, spurred on by armed militants. UNICEF estimates that 357,400 children are being deprived access to education, health and protection services as a result of the conflicts that persist across the nation. In 2017 a polio outbreak hit the Lake Chad basin, but 800,000 children were vaccinated against the disease and 26,000 were treated for malnutrition.2 23.5 percent of children in the Central African Republic are underweight.3

Animals

Central and western African are known to be the home to a variety of animal species including a declining population of West African giraffes, the mountain gorilla, bonobo, chimpanzee, elephant, white rhino, forest elephant, bongo, Congo peacock, colobus monkey, lion, hippopotamus, buffalo, cheetah and leopard.1 Most of the ecosystems in this region are savanna, tropical and subtropical forest and grasslands or shrub land.2 The Central African Republic is party to an international agreement on biodiversity.3

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