Central African Republic

Central African Republic

• Official name: Central African Republic
• Date established: 13 August 1960 (Independence from France)
• Region: Africa — Central Africa
• Capital city: Bangui
• Population (2024 est.): ~5.9 million
• Area: 622,984 km²
• Density: ~10/km²
• Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
• Official languages: French, Sango
• Time zone: WAT (UTC+1)
• Calling code: +236
• Major religions: Christianity (~80%), Islam (~15%), traditional beliefs
• Emergency – Police: 117
• Emergency – Rescue/Ambulance: 118
• National symbol: Elephant
• National flower: Desert rose
• National animal: African elephant
• National sport: Football
• Literacy rate: ~38%
• Human Development Index: 0.404
• GDP (nominal, 2024): ~$2.7 billion
• Major industry: Agriculture, diamonds, timber
• National festival: Independence Day — 13 August
• Climate: Tropical; hot, humid in south, semiarid north