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Central African Republic

Former French Colony in Midst of Chaos

This land-locked country of Central Africa is among the ten poorest nations in Africa. Till the 18th Century the Central African Republic or CAR was outside the pale of Islamic influence that was spreading from outwards of Sudan. However Islam arrived in the 19th Century along with the thriving slave trade. Later on the French Count Savorgnan de Brazza succeeded in establishing the French Congo and sent expeditions to the CAR before finally occupying it. The CAR gained independence from France in 1960 and sine then it has witnessed endless coups and civil wars. The country abounds with dangerous weapons and armed militias that have forced millions to migrate out of this impoverished country. The country is heavily dependent on foreign aid including NGO’s, international missions for sustaining its hungry population.

Central African Republic at a Glance:
    · National Name: République Centrafricaine
    · Capital: Bangui
    · Total area: 622,980 sq km
    · Population: 4,434,873
    · Currency: CFA Franc
    · Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca, national), tribal languages
    · Ethnicity/ Races: Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%
    · Religion: Indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant and Roman Catholic (both with animist influence) 25% each, Islam 15%
    · GDP (Per Capita): $700 (2007 est.)
    · Life Expectancy: Male: 42.17 Yrs, Female: 45.48 Yrs (2001 est.)
    · Literacy: 48.6% (2006 est.)

Geoghraphy of Central African Republic:
The land-locked country of Central African Republic borders Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo with its capital city of Bangui. Most of the country has flat rolling topography of the Savanna. The country has highly diverse forests that include commercially important tree species like Ayous, Sapelli, Sipo. The climate of the country is unusual as the northern region is covered with deserts where the hot, dry Harmattan winds blow, whereas the southern regions are prone to flooding frequently.

Culture of Central African Republic:
The country is culturally diverse with over 80 ethnic groups and each having its own language. The largest ethnic groups are the Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, and Yakoma 4%, with 2% others, including Europeans. Nearly 50% of the country is Christian with 35% maintaining Indigenous beliefs and 15% practicing Islam. A large number of missionary groups from America, Europe and Africa are active in the country.

Economy of Central African Republic:
The economy of CAR is overwhelmingly agricultural with cassava being the staple food crop and its primary export while cotton is also produced for export. Though cotton and coffee are produced here food crops are the prime export of the CAR. Food crops are also transformed into Sorghum beer or hard liquor that derives considerable revenue for the people. However livestock development is affected by the menace of the tsetse fly. The informal economy, which consists of sale of diamonds, ivory, traditional medicine and bush meat exceeds the formal economy but is not accounted for, hence a very low per capita income of only $700 is reported.

The Central African Republic though devasted by recurrent conflicts still has high potential as an eco-tourist destination. The country has high number of forest elephants that roam majestically in the Dzanga Sangha National Park and the Manovo-Gounda St Floris National Parks. The latter also has populations of Leopards, Lions and Rhinos within its enclosures.

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