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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

government-owned network, Radiodiffusion Television Centrafricaine, provides domestic TV broadcasting; licenses for 2 private TV stations are pending; state-owned radio network is supplemented by a small number of privately-owned broadcast stations as well as a few community radio stations; transmissions of at least 2 international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.cf

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

20 (2010) country comparison to the world: 217

Internet users [time series]

22,600 (2009) country comparison to the world: 191

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: network consists principally of microwave radio relay and low-capacity, low-powered radiotelephone communication domestic: limited telephone service with less than 1 fixed-line connection per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular service providers, cellular usage is increasing from a low base; most fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone services are concentrated in Bangui international: country code - 236; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

12,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 199

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

168,000 (2009) country comparison to the world: 174

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, manioc (tapioca), yams, millet, corn, bananas; timber

Central bank discount rate [time series]

4.25% (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 92 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

NA% (31 December 2009 est.) NA% (31 December 2008 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

-$77 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Debt - external [time series]

$1.153 billion (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

61.3 (1993) country comparison to the world: 6

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, 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 has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry, for 40%. 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 on economic revitalization. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

107 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

115 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Exchange rates [time series]

Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar - 506.04 (2009), 447.81 (2008), 481.8 (2007), 522.59 (2006) note: since 1 January 1999, the Central African CFA franc (XAF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; Central African CFA franc (XAF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using West African CFA francs (XOF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par

Exports [time series]

$146.7 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Exports - commodities [time series]

diamonds, timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco

Exports - partners [time series]

Belgium 32.57%, China 10.49%, Indonesia 10.36%, Morocco 10.24%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 6.87%, France 5.79% (2009)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$2.113 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$3.468 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 $3.345 billion (2009 est.) $3.289 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 55% industry: 20% services: 25% (2001 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$700 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 222 $700 (2009 est.) $700 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3.7% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 92 1.7% (2009 est.) 2% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 2.1% highest 10%: 33% (2003)

Imports [time series]

$237.3 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Imports - commodities [time series]

food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals

Imports - partners [time series]

South Korea 19.29%, France 11.95%, US 7.78%, Cameroon 7.39%, Netherlands 6.77% (2009)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3% (2002) country comparison to the world: 107

Industries [time series]

gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

0.9% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 18

Labor force [time series]

1.926 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 121

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 198

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 193

Oil - consumption [time series]

2,000 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 186

Oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 144

Oil - imports [time series]

2,203 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 196

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Population below poverty line [time series]

NA%

Stock of broad money [time series]

$343.4 million (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 177 $292.9 million (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$357.6 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 167 $339.1 million (31 December 2008)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$288.8 million (31 December 2009) country comparison to the world: 167 $241.3 million (31 December 2008)

Unemployment rate [time series]

8% (2001 est.) country comparison to the world: 90 note: 23% unemployment for Bangui

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 622,984 sq km country comparison to the world: 44 land: 622,984 sq km water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Texas

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Oubangui River 335 m highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,420 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.03 cu km/yr (80%/16%/4%) per capita: 7 cu m/yr (2000)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

7 00 N, 21 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa

Irrigated land [time series]

20 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 5,203 km border countries: Cameroon 797 km, Chad 1,197 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,577 km, Republic of the Congo 467 km, Sudan 1,165 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 3.1% permanent crops: 0.15% other: 96.75% (2005)

Location [time series]

Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common

Natural resources [time series]

diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower

Terrain [time series]

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

144.4 cu km (2003)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga

Capital [time series]

name: Bangui geographic coordinates: 4 22 N, 18 35 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

ratified by popular referendum 5 December 2004; effective 27 December 2004

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Central African Republic conventional short form: none local long form: Republique Centrafricaine local short form: none former: Ubangi-Shari, Central African Empire abbreviation: CAR

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Frederick B. COOK embassy: Avenue David Dacko, Bangui mailing address: B. P. 924, Bangui telephone: [236] 61 02 00 FAX: [236] 61 44 94 note: the embassy is currently operating with a minimal staff

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Stanislas MOUSSA-KEMBE chancery: 1618 22nd Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-7800 FAX: [1] (202) 332-9893

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Francois BOZIZE (since 15 March 2003 coup) head of government: Prime Minister Faustin-Archange TOUADERA (since 22 January 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: under the new constitution, the president elected for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 13 March and 8 May 2005 (next to be held on 23 January 2011); prime minister appointed by the political party with a parliamentary majority election results: Francois BOZIZE elected president; percent of second round balloting - Francois BOZIZE (KNK) 64.6%, Martin ZIGUELE (MLPC) 35.4%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band; banner combines the Pan-African and French flag colors; red symbolizes the blood spilled in the struggle for independence, blue represents the sky and freedom, white peace and dignity, green hope and faith, and yellow tolerance; the star represents aspiration towards a vibrant future

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

13 August 1960 (from France)

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court (three judges appointed by the president, three by the president of the National Assembly, and three by fellow judges); Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Inferior Courts

Legal system [time series]

based on French law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (105 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: last held on 13 March 2005 and 8 May 2005 (next to be held on 23 January 2011) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - KNK 42, MLPC 11, RDC 8, PSD 4, FPP 2, ADP 2, LONDO 1, independents 34, other 1

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "Le Renaissance" (The Renaissance) lyrics/music: Barthelemy BOGANDA/Herbert PEPPER note: adopted 1960; Barthelemy BOGANDA, who wrote the anthem's lyrics, was the first prime minister of the autonomous French territory

National holiday [time series]

Republic Day, 1 December (1958)

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Jacques MBOLIEDAS]; Central African Democratic Rally or RDC [Andre KOLINGBA]; Civic Forum or FC [Gen. Timothee MALENDOMA]; Democratic Forum for Modernity or FODEM [Charles MASSI]; Liberal Democratic Party or PLD [Nestor KOMBO-NAGUEMON]; Londo Association or LONDO; Movement for Democracy and Development or MDD [David DACKO]; Movement for the Liberation of the Central African People or MLPC [Ange-Felix PATASSE] (the party of deposed president); National Convergence or KNK; National Unity Party or PUN [Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE]; Patriotic Front for Progress or FPP [Abel GOUMBA]; People's Union for the Republic or UPR [Pierre Sammy MAKFOY]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Enoch LAKOUE]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Monam (combating gender-base violence)

Suffrage [time series]

21 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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. Unrest in the neighboring nations of Chad, Sudan, and the DRC continues to affect stability in the Central African Republic as well.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,121,548 females age 16-49: 1,118,432 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 637,474 females age 16-49: 643,188 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 54,024 female: 53,203 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Central African Armed Forces (Forces Armees Centrafricaines, FACA): Ground Forces (includes Military Air Service), General Directorate of Gendarmerie Inspection (DGIG), National Police (2009)

Military expenditures [time series]

0.9% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 136

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18 years of age for selective military service; 2-year conscript service obligation (2010)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 40.9% (male 928,277/female 917,739) 15-64 years: 55% (male 1,235,940/female 1,244,958) 65 years and over: 4.1% (male 71,439/female 113,135) (2010 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

36.79 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Death rate [time series]

15.3 deaths/1,000 population (July 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

1.3% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 179

Ethnic groups [time series]

Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

6.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 11

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

11,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 30

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

160,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 101.6 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 7 male: 109.65 deaths/1,000 live births female: 93.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Languages [time series]

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

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 49.68 years country comparison to the world: 214 male: 48.45 years female: 50.95 years (2010 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.6% male: 64.8% female: 33.5% (2000 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis water contact disease: schistosomiasis animal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Median age [time series]

total: 19.1 years male: 18.7 years female: 19.5 years (2010 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Central African(s) adjective: Central African

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population country comparison to the world: 78

Population [time series]

4,844,927 country comparison to the world: 116 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2010 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

2.149% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Religions [time series]

indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15% note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 7 years male: 8 years female: 5 years (2009)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

4.68 children born/woman (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 39% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 2.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

periodic skirmishes over water and grazing rights among related pastoral populations along the border with southern Sudan persist

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 7,900 (Sudan); 3,700 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); note - UNHCR resumed repatriation of Southern Sudanese refugees in 2006 IDPs: 197,000 (ongoing unrest following coup in 2003) (2007)

Trafficking in persons [time series]

current situation: Central African Republic is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, street vending, and forced agricultural, mine, market and restaurant labor; to a lesser extent, children are trafficked from the Central African Republic to Cameroon, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo; rebels conscript children into armed forces within the country tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Central African Republic is on the Tier 2 Watch List for the third consecutive year for its failure to show evidence of increasing efforts to combat trafficking in 2007; efforts to address trafficking through vigorous law enforcement measures and victim protection efforts were minimal, though awareness about trafficking appeared to be increasing in the country; the government does not actively investigate cases, work to identify trafficking victims among vulnerable populations, or rescue and provide care to victims; the government has not taken measures to reduce demand for commercial sex acts (2008)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

37 (2010) country comparison to the world: 106

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 35 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 16 under 914 m: 6 (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Bangui, Nola, Salo, Nzinga

Roadways [time series]

total: 24,307 km (2000) country comparison to the world: 105

Waterways [time series]

2,800 km (the primary navigable river is the Ubangi, which joins the River Congo; it was the traditional route for the export of products because it connected with the Congo-Ocean railway at Brazzaville; because of the warfare on both sides of the River Congo from 1997, however, routes through Cameroon became preferred by importers and exporters) (2010) country comparison to the world: 35