Central African Republic Tourism

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:: Country Facts

Area: 622,984 sq km (242,000 sq miles)

Population: 4.3 million (2007 est.)

Capital City: Bangui (population: 690,000)

People and Language(s): the Central African Republic population is made up of more than 80 different ethnic groups, none of which represents a clear majority of the country. They include the Baya, Banda, Sara, Mandja, Mboum, M'baka. French and Sangho are the official languages.

Religion(s): Christianity, Islam and indigenous beliefs are all practised.

Currency: CFA Franc (pegged to Euro)

Membership of international groupings/organisations: Central African Economic and Monetary Union (CEMAC), Central Bank of Central African States (BEAC), Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD previously COMESSA), Organisation for African Unity (OAU), International Monetary Fund (IMF). 

:: Geography

Central African Republic (CAR) is landlocked. It is mainly savannah in the north and equatorial forest in the south. Chad borders the north of the country, with Sudan to the east, Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo are on the southern border. Cameroon lies to the west. The Oubangui river, which forms the southern border and flows through the capital Bangui and then south to the Congo basin, is an important transport route.

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