Most of the country is occupied by the Azande hill (600–900 m above sea level), above which rise individual higher granite massifs of Yade (in the west, the highest point is Mount Gau - 1420 m) and Fertit (in the east). In the north of the country, the Azande elevation gradually decreases and turns into a swampy plain of the southern edge of the Chad basin. The main rivers are the Ubangi (a tributary of the Congo) in the south and tributaries of the Shari River, which flows into Lake Chad, in the north. Numerous waterfalls on the rivers give the landscape a special charm; the most beautiful of them, Boali on the Mbali River, is located in a wooded area 70 km from the capital and is not inferior in height to Niagara.
The climate is subequatorial, hot: the average temperature in January is 21 °C, in July - 31 °C. Precipitation (1000–1200 mm in the north and 1500–1600 mm in the south) falls mainly in summer due to the invasion of wet monsoons. In the south, the dry period is very short - from December to February. The country's vegetation is rich and is represented mainly by tall-grass savannas, in which, in addition to grasses, individual deciduous and evergreen trees grow, including cheese tree, shea butter, tamarind, and barassa palm. The forest savannah gradually turns into tropical rainforests, located first along the rivers, and in the extreme south merging into a single massif. The abundance of food in the savannah creates favorable conditions for the life of elephants, buffalos, and antelopes; giraffes, white and black rhinoceroses, and ostriches have been preserved. Common predators are cheetah, civet, and lion. There are many birds near the ponds (including flamingos, herons), as well as hippos and crocodiles. Monkeys are especially numerous in the forests. “Hunting zones,” including nature reserves and national parks, occupy almost a third of the country’s territory. Three large reserves and national park Saint-Flory is located near the city of Birao in the northeast, in the north is the “hunting zone” of Ndele, in the southeast is Haute Mbomou.
The peoples inhabiting the CAR (about 4.5 million people in total) mainly belong to the Bantu group, the largest of them are the Banda, Baya, Manjia, Bubangi, Azande, Sara. The main occupation is agriculture, but pygmies remain in the forests, still living mainly by hunting. Two thirds of the inhabitants profess African religions.
The capital Bangui (734 thousand people), founded in 1889, is very picturesque and resembles a huge park. The National Museum displays magnificent examples of African art.
Story
In the 16th–18th centuries. there were no strong forces on the territory of the CAR centralized states. Slave traders from the coast often visited this region Atlantic Ocean and from the Muslim states that existed in the lake area. Chad. By 1800, due to the slave trade, the local population had sharply declined, and many areas were literally depopulated. In 1805–1830, thousands of Gbay, fleeing the Fulani conquerors who invaded Northern Cameroon, settled on the plateau in the upper reaches of the Sanga and Lobaye rivers. In the 1860s, Bantu-speaking peoples from the northeastern regions of the Congo (modern DRC) often fled from Arab slave traders on the northern bank of the Ubangi River. Later, the gang and a number of other peoples, hiding from Arab-Muslim slave traders, fled from the Bahr el-Ghazal region to the sparsely populated savannas in the upper reaches of the Kotto River.
The French explored and occupied the territory of the Central African Republic in 1889–1900. Small French detachments penetrated there from the Congo and concluded treaties with local leaders. In 1894, the current territory of the Central African Republic received the name Ubangi-Shari. In 1899, France granted private companies monopoly concessions to develop the natural resources of Gabon, Middle Congo and Oubangui-Chari. The scandals that erupted in 1905–1906, caused by the merciless exploitation of Africans, forced the French government in 1910 to limit the powers of concession companies and begin to combat abuses. Nevertheless, the Compagnie Forestier du Sanga-Oubangui continued to mistreat the Africans forcibly recruited from the southwestern regions of Oubangi-Shari. The management of the company was not influenced even by the revelations made in 1927 on the pages of the Parisian press famous writer Andre Gide. In 1928, the uprising of the Gbaya people against concession companies and forced labor on the construction of the railway connecting the Congo with the ocean coast spread to neighboring Cameroon and was suppressed only in 1930.
During the period between the two world wars, under the leadership of General Lamblin, the best road network in French Equatorial Africa was created in Ubangi-Shari. At the same time, the activities of Catholic and Protestant missions intensified there, which paid great attention to the development of the education system for Africans. In 1947–1958, Ubangi-Shari, as an “overseas territory” of France, was represented in the French parliament and had its own Territorial Assembly. In 1958, Ubangi-Shari, under the name Central African Republic (CAR), became an autonomous state within the French Community, and on August 13, 1960 it declared independence. In 1966, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa seized power in the country. In 1976 he proclaimed himself emperor. His rule was despotic and cruel. In 1979, Bokassa was overthrown in a coup d'etat with the support of France, and the republican system was restored in the country.
After the overthrow of Bokassa and his flight to France, President David Dako tried to establish governance of the devastated country. At the beginning of 1981, a new constitution was adopted and presidential elections were held. Having received 50% of the votes, D. Dako won the elections. Four political organizations, created on an ethnic basis, refused to recognize Dako's victory, and parliamentary elections scheduled for the same 1981 were cancelled. The commander-in-chief of the armed forces, General Andre Kolingba, seized power in the country.
The period of President A. Kolingba's rule lasted until 1993, when Ange-Felix Patasse, a former member of Bokassa's cabinet, won the presidential election with 52% of the votes against 45% received by his main rival Abel Goumba. Patassé's opponents accused France of aiding and abetting election fraud. In parliament, representatives of the Patassé party received 34 seats (out of 85), supporters of Kolingba - 14 and Gumba - 7. Although in general the Patassé regime acted within the framework of the rule of law, the president was intolerant of the opposition and the uncontrolled press. In 1995, Patassé created his personal presidential guard.
Faced with the constant abuses of the CAR government in the financial sector, the World Bank, IMF and other Western financial institutions began to curtail assistance since 1995. The World Bank insisted on the need to reduce administrative costs and privatize state-owned enterprises, but this did not meet with Patassé's understanding. Unlike other French-speaking African states, the CAR did not benefit significantly from the 1994 devaluation of the CFA franc by 50% relative to the French franc.
Due to persistent financial difficulties in the mid-1990s, the Patasse government frequently failed to pay the salaries of military personnel and government officials. In April 1996, amid growing mass discontent, a coalition of opposition parties, known as CODEPO, held an anti-government rally. Shortly after this action, the first of several government mutinies occurred. The French government, trying to normalize the situation, in June 1996 decided to provide assistance in paying salaries to officials and military personnel.
Supported by peacekeeping forces In France, the Patasse government managed to maintain relative order in the country. However, the growing confrontation between the army and armed opponents of the government resulted in bloody clashes.
Through the mediation of a delegation of leaders of neighboring countries that arrived in the CAR, a truce agreement was concluded between the government and the opposition in January 1997 in Bangui. It provided for an amnesty for the rebels, broad representation of opposition parties in the new government of national unity, and the replacement of French peacekeeping forces with military contingents from neighboring states.
In the new government, formed in February 1997, part of the ministerial portfolios was distributed among representatives of opposition parties. The French contingent was replaced by an African peacekeeping mission of 700 troops from neighboring Burkina Faso, Chad, Gabon, Mali, Senegal and Togo. In March–June, clashes between the African peacekeeping contingent and the CAR security forces, dissatisfied with foreign interference, became more frequent. As a result, the rebels were forced to sign a permanent ceasefire agreement. In November 1997, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution authorizing the continued monitoring of compliance with the Bangui agreements under its auspices. In February-March 1998, a Conference on Interethnic Reconciliation was held in Bangui, which ended with the conclusion of an agreement.
Economy
The Central African Republic is one of the least economically developed countries in Africa. 66% of the country's amateur population is engaged in consumer agriculture and livestock farming. In the north, sorghum and millet are cultivated, in the south - corn, cassava, peanuts, yams and rice. About 80 thousand people are hired workers who work mainly in the public sector, on agricultural plantations and transport. There is an acute shortage of qualified specialists in the country. In 1996, GDP was estimated at $1 billion, or $300 per capita. In 1992–1993, GDP declined by 2% per year, in 1994 it grew by 7.7%, and in 1995 by 2.4%. The share of agricultural products in GDP is approx. 50%, industrial – 14%, transport and services – 36%.
In the 1960s, the role of individual miners in diamond mining increased, especially after the removal of several French diamond mining companies from the country in 1969. In 1994, 429 thousand carats of diamonds were mined, in 1997 - 540 thousand. Gold mining, on the contrary, is declining: in 1994 – 191 kg, in 1997 – 100 kg. Mainly due to a lack of transport means, the uranium ore deposit near Bakuma is not being developed. The coffee tree is mainly grown on plantations owned mainly by whites. Foreign companies exploit a small portion of the world's richest forest resources countries. The manufacturing industry is poorly developed and is mainly represented by enterprises producing food, beer, textiles, clothing, bricks, dyes and household utensils. The share of industrial production (mining, construction, manufacturing, energy) in GDP in 1980–1993 increased by an average of 2.4% per year.
Total length highways, suitable for use in any weather, 8.2 thousand km. Of greatest importance is the highway connecting Bangui with the capital of Chad, N'Djamena. The length of navigable sections of the rivers is 1600 km. Railway connects Bangui with the port of Pointe Noire (Republic of Congo).
The main export items are diamonds, timber and coffee. In 1994, for the first time since independence, the Central African Republic achieved a positive trade balance; the value of imports amounted to 130 million dollars, exports - 145 million. The main trading partners are France, Japan and Cameroon. The CAR is a member of the Central Bank of Central African States, which issues the CFA franc, which is a convertible currency against the French franc.
Policy
Until 1976, the country was a republic, briefly parliamentary, then presidential. The president, elected for a seven-year term, had broad powers, while parliament had very limited power. In 1979, the republican form of government was restored.
From 1950 to 1979, the leading political force in the country was the Movement for the Social Development of Black Africa, which was created and led by the former Catholic priest Barthelemy Boganda, who was ethnically gay. Until his death in 1959, he was the first prime minister of the Central African Republic. His place was taken by David Dako, Boganda's cousin and associate. In 1966, Boganda's nephew, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa, carried out a coup d'état and seized power in the country.
In 1976, the Central African Republic became a monarchy and was renamed the Central African Empire (CAE). Bokassa proclaimed himself emperor and concentrated all power in his hands. In 1979, a coup took place in the Central Academy of Arts, as a result of which Bokassa was overthrown and the republic was restored; D. Dako returned to power.
At the beginning of 1981, after a wave of demonstrations swept through Bangui, D. Dako approved a new constitution for the country, which proclaimed a multi-party system and human rights. The constitution provided for the introduction of the post of president, elected for a six-year term by universal suffrage. An independent judicial system was created. The president had the right to appoint the prime minister and members of the government.
Later that year, at the suggestion of D. Dako, presidential elections were held, in which he won. This did not lead to a reduction in tension in the country. D. Dako opposed the trade unions and canceled the parliamentary elections. In September 1981, the army under the command of General Andre Kolingba, with the tacit support of France, carried out a bloodless coup. The authoritarian rule of the new head of the Central African Republic continued until 1993, when, under pressure from the opposition after mass protests, A. Kolingba was forced to hold presidential elections in accordance with the procedure provided for by the 1981 constitution. Ange-Felix Patasse won these elections.
The CAR maintains close ties with France. The country is part of the French franc zone and the Association of Francophone States. The Central African Republic is a member of the Organization of African Unity and the UN.
Population
In 1997, the population of the Central African Republic was 3,350 thousand people. The main ethnic groups are Gbaya (34%), Banda (27%), Manja (21%), Sara (10%), Mbum (4%), Mbaka (4%). Often traditional power is limited to the local leader, but some tribes have retained a more complex and centralized hierarchy of power: leaders of tribes, districts, and the supreme leader. The institution of slavery has long existed in this region, but the slave trade as a profitable trade spread thanks to the Arabs. Before the establishment of the French colonial regime, slave traders captured hundreds of thousands of slaves.
The official languages are French and Sango. 20% of the population are Protestants, 20% are Catholics, 10% are Muslims, the rest are adherents of local traditional beliefs. The capital and largest city is Bangui (600 thousand inhabitants).
In the early 1990s, about 324 thousand children were studying in primary schools, and 49 thousand in secondary schools and technical schools. Most of the teachers in secondary schools are French. There is a university in Bangui. In 1995, adult literacy reached 40%.
Republic of the Congo on a map of Africa
(all pictures are clickable)
Geographical position
The location of the state on the map of African countries can be judged by its name: the Central African Republic (CAR) is located in the middle of the African continent. It does not have access to the ocean; on its territory there is a point farthest from all the coasts of Africa. The CAR borders Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country occupies the Azande Hills, which in the north gradually declines and gives way to a swampy plain. Its area is 623 thousand km².
The climate is equatorial and subequatorial monsoon, quite dry in the northeast, and high humidity in the southwest. average temperature January is +21 °C, July - +31 °C. Annual precipitation increases from north to south from 1000-1200 mm to 1500-1600 mm.
Flora and fauna
The landscapes are dominated by tall grass savannas; in the south of the country they are replaced by humid equatorial forests, the valuable wood of which is used in finishing construction. Almost all species of animals living in the country are found in tropical Africa: elephants, white and black rhinoceroses, antelopes, giraffes, buffalos, lions, leopards, jackals, hyenas. The forests are inhabited by various breeds of monkeys, and the rivers are inhabited by crocodiles and hippos.
State structure
Map of Central African Republic
The head of the CAR is the president, the government is headed by the prime minister. The legislative body is the unicameral National Assembly. Administratively, the country is divided into 17 prefectures. The national currency is the CFA franc. The capital is Bangui.
Population
The population is about 3.7 million people, most of it belongs to the Bantu peoples, who live in forest areas. The official state language is French, but everyday communication The local language is Songo. Religious composition: adherents of traditional pagan beliefs (more than 60%), Christians (about 30%), Muslims (more than 10%).
Economy
The Central African Republic is economically underdeveloped. The basis of the economy is agriculture, where more than 80% of the working population is employed. The most important food crops are cassava, maize, sorghum, groundnuts, millet and rice. Vegetable and fruit growing is developed on the outskirts of large cities. The development of livestock farming is limited due to the spread of the tsetse fly, the bite of which leads to the death of animals. The main agricultural crops exported are cotton and coffee.
The industrial sector is dominated by enterprises processing agricultural raw materials. IN Lately great importance The country's economy is benefiting from the mining industry: diamonds and gold are being mined; Iron ore and uranium deposits are considered potential resources in this industry.
Story Central African Republic can be traced back to the 16th century, when its northwestern region was part of the ancient state of Bagirmi, and the peoples of the northeastern territories of the modern country were dependent on the state of Rabbah.
At the end of the 19th century. V central areas Europeans began to penetrate Africa: in 1884, the French invaded the area between the Ubangi and Shari rivers, and incorporated the captured lands into French Equatorial Africa. The brutal treatment of the indigenous population by the French colonialists caused resistance from local residents. In 1958, the French government, under the pressure of the national liberation struggle, was forced to grant the CAR autonomy within the French Community, and two years later, in 1960, to recognize its independence.
Over the past 50 years, several military coups have occurred in the state: the 1976 coup led to the establishment of a monarchy (the CRA was transformed into the Central African Empire), as a result of the 1979 coup, the republican form of government was restored, after the 1981 coup, the activities of all parties and public organizations was banned. The Constitution adopted in 1986 established a one-party system, and in 1991 a multi-party system was introduced.
Attractions
From the first days of the declaration of independence, activities to preserve and revive folk art and culture began in the country. The best products folk craftsmen - pottery, jewelry, leather - are presented in the National Museum.
In the center of the capital, on Republic Square, rises a unique architectural structure for Africa - Triumphal Arch, a monument to the deceased “empire” of the cannibal Bokassa.
Natural attractions include Boali Waterfall, which is located in a picturesque wooded area on the Mbali River; in height it is not inferior to the famous Niagara Falls. The most valuable representatives of flora and fauna are protected in national parks and the reserves Andre Felix, Saint-Floris, Bamingui-Bangoran.
Central African Republic photo
Unfulfilled Wakanda
The CAR is a state in the heart of the African continent with a territory of 622.4 thousand square meters. km and a population of 4.6 million people. About 60% of CAR citizens are Christians, including 25% Catholics, about 25% adhere to local beliefs, and 15% are Muslims. Official languages- French and sango. However, each of the 80 ethnic groups (Banda, Gbaya, Manja, Sara, etc.) has its own languages and dialects.
WITH late XIX centuries, the territory of the Central African Republic was a French colony; the country gained independence on August 13, 1960. According to the UN, the republic is among the least developed countries in Africa in socio-economic terms. The main sectors of the economy are agriculture (employing more than 65% of the population), forestry and mining. About 70% of the population lives below the poverty line.
At the same time, the country has rich deposits of uranium, oil, gold and diamonds. Diamond exports provide more than half of foreign exchange earnings. According to the US Geological Survey, in 2012 the CAR ranked tenth in the world in terms of total value of stones sold. However, the availability of resources did not make the CAR a developed country like Wakanda from the Marvel world - numerous military coups and a civil war of “all against all” prevented this.
A cannibal president, military coups and civil war
In December 1965, as a result of a military coup, Jean-Bedel Bokassa came to power and was proclaimed president for life and emperor of the country. He was known for his cruelty - he fed opponents to lions and crocodiles, and forced thieves to be beaten with hammers and chains right in front of his eyes. Bokassa also practiced cannibalism, keeping human meat in his refrigerators and serving it to unsuspecting guests. At one of the state banquets, he told a French diplomat: “You didn’t notice, but you ate human flesh.” After French intervention, Bokassa was overthrown in 1980.
In March 1991, under pressure from opposition forces, the CAR parliament adopted a constitutional amendment that introduced a multi-party system in the country for the first time. But neither the deployment of the French armed forces in the mid-1990s, nor attempts to create a government of national unity, nor political pressure from neighboring countries stopped the bloodshed and the struggle of various political forces, which was accompanied by an endless change of ruling administrations.
On March 15, 2003, as a result of an armed coup, former Chief of the General Staff François Bozize became the head of state, winning the civil war 2001–2003. On May 8, 2005, he was elected president and ruled the country for eight years. In 2013, the Islamist group Seleka (Sango for "Rally"), made up of mostly Muslim northerners, captured the capital Bangui, overthrowing Bozizé. In response to the atrocities of militants in the territories they captured, Christians and followers of traditional African beliefs created Anti-Balaka militia units, which began to persecute Muslims.
Attempts at settlement and the current situation
At the time of the aggravation of the situation in the CAR there were units of the French armed forces numbering about 600 fighters (according to the 1967 defense treaty) and a joint contingent of the armed forces of the countries of Central Africa consisting of 2.5 thousand military personnel (arrived in the country at the request of Bozizé to support government troops ).
On December 5, 2013, in response to mass violence in Bangui, the UN Security Council established the International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (MISCA), to which the foreign peacekeeping troops present in the country were transferred (SC Resolution 2127). Initially, the strength of the MISCA contingent was 3.5 thousand people, then it was increased to 6 thousand.
Séléka leader and self-proclaimed Central African Republic President Michel Djotodia resigned in January 2014 under pressure from member countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECOCAS). Until 2016, the country was led by acting president Catherine Samba-Panza, the mayor of Bangui. Under her, a new (eighth) constitution was adopted, which limited the presidency to two five-year terms.
In March 2016, the country held presidential elections, which were won by Faustin-Archange Touadera, a former prime minister under President Bozizé. His main election promise was to end the religious conflict, but for the new leader of the state to fully implement this, the Central African Republic will go to the countries experiencing the most serious problems with slavery and trafficking in people, including children.
The material was prepared based on information from the TASS-Dossier and other open sources
Authors: A. V. Starikova ( General information, Population, Economy), O. A. Klimanova (Nature: physical-geographical sketch), N. V. Vinogradova (Historical sketch), V. D. Nesterkin (Armed Forces), V. S. Nechaev (Health), A P. Gorokhova (Literature)Authors: A. V. Starikova (General information, Population, Economy), O. A. Klimanova (Nature: physical-geographical sketch), N. V. Vinogradova (Historical sketch); >>
CENTRAL AFRICANSK REP U BLIKA(sango Ködörösêse tî Bêafrî ka, French République centrafricaine), Central African Republic.
General information
CAR is a state in the Center. Africa. It borders on Chad in the north, Sudan in the northeast, and South in the east. Sudan, in the south with Democratic. the Republic of the Congo, in the southwest with the Republic of the Congo, in the west with Cameroon; has no access to the sea. Pl. 623 thousand km 2. Us. OK. 5.0 million people (2016, estimate; according to other data, approx. 5.4 million people). The capital is Bangui. Official languages: Sango and French. The monetary unit is the CFA franc. Adm.-terr. division: 17 prefectures.
The CAR is a member of the UN (1960), IMF (1963), IBRD (1963), AU (from 1963, until 2002 Organization of African Unity, membership suspended in 2013), WTO (1995).
Political system
CAR is a unitary state. The Constitution was adopted by referendum on December 13–14, 2015. The form of government is a presidential republic.
The head of state is the president, elected in general direct elections for a term of 5 years (with the right to one re-election). The President is the head of the executive. power, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. by the forces of the country, the chairman of the K-ta national. defense, etc.
Supreme legislator. body - unicameral parliament (National Assembly). Consists of 105 deputies elected by universal suffrage in single-member constituencies. The term of office of parliament is 5 years.
The Council of Ministers is appointed by the President. The Prime Minister heads the government.
Nature
Relief
The main part of the country occupies the slightly undulating Azande plateau (predominant heights 600–900 m) with numerous. the domed island mountains of Yade (up to 1410 m high, Mount Ngavi is the highest point of the Central African Republic), Bongo, etc., elongated in the sublatitudinal direction, and wide valleys. In the far north there are flat, partially swampy lacustrine-alluvial plains in the south. edges of the lake basin Chad.
Geological structure and minerals
The territory of the Central African Republic is located in the center. parts of the Precambrian African Platform, within the Archean Central African Craton (Congo). The foundation of the craton protrudes to the surface in the eastern and northwestern regions. parts of the country; formed by a migmatite-granulite-gneiss complex, amphibolites, quartzites and other Upper Archean rocks. In the north, the basement rocks are intruded by gabbro-anorthosites and granites of Early Proterozoic age and alkaline, often rare metal, granites of Late Proterozoic age. To the south direction, the foundation plunges under the Lower Proterozoic quartzite-schist deposits of the protoplatform cover. In the far north there is a thin cover of Cretaceous and Cenozoic sediments.
Of the mineral resources, the most important are alluvial diamond placers located in the eastern and southwestern regions. parts of the country (on the rivers Cotto, Lobaye and Mambera), gold ore (Passendro deposit in the central part of the country, north of Bambari, etc.), uranium (Bakuma deposit 900 km northeast of Bangui). There are also deposits of iron ores (Boguin), copper (Ngade), manganese, tin, rare metals, etc.
Climate
On the territory of the Central African Republic, the climate is equatorial-monsoon, hot, summer-humid. The average monthly air temperature is 25.9 °C (Bangui). Precipitation ranges from 800–1000 mm per year in the north to 1500–1600 mm in the south. The duration of the dry winter season is from 5 months (November - March) in the north to 3 months (December - February) in the south.
Inland waters
Basic river - Ubangi (Congo River basin), flowing along the south. borders of the country, with tributaries Kotto and Lobae. In the southwest flow the Mambere and Kadei rivers, forming a large tributary of the river at their confluence. Congo - r. Sanga. North the outskirts are drained by numerous. rivers of the river system Shari, flowing into the lake. Chad (Uham, Bamingi, etc.). The rapidity of rivers and sharp seasonal fluctuations in level greatly limit their transport value. The largest rivers b. h. year for that means. throughout are navigable.
Annually renewable water resources amount to 141 km 3, incl. 56 km 3 – groundwater reserves; water availability 28.8 thousand m 3 per person. per year (2014). Annual water intake is 0.07 km 3, of which 77% is spent in housing and communal water supply, 18% in the village. x-ve, 5% - in industry (2005).
Soils, flora and fauna
B is growing. The cover is dominated by tall grass savannas with separate. deciduous and evergreen trees (tamarind, shea butter, nete, etc.); In some places, savannas alternate with savannah and sparse forests. To the south In some parts, gallery forests stretch along the rivers; in the extreme south there are dense, humid equatorial forests. Red alferritic soils are developed under savannas and forest savannas, and red-yellow ferrallitic soils are developed under humid equatorial forests.
The animal world includes many large mammals: elephants, rhinoceroses, buffalos, antelopes, giraffes; Typical predators are lions, leopards, jackals, hyenas, and wild dogs. In the dense forests there are an abundance of monkeys. Hippos and crocodiles live in the rivers. Birds, snakes, lizards, fish, and insects (in the south - the tsetse fly) are numerous and varied.
Condition and protection of the environment
Over the period 1980–2010, the area of moist equatorial forests decreased and the area of tree savannas increased, mainly. through slash-and-burn agriculture, the use of wood for fuel and active logging. As a result of deforestation, the populations of elephants, giraffes, ostriches, lions, and hippos have significantly decreased.
Protected natural areas occupy 11% of the area. countries. In the national Andre-Felix and Bamingui-Bangoran parks protect the most valuable representatives of the fauna (elephants, rhinoceroses, giraffes, hippos, lions, etc.). The fauna of some protected areas (eg Andre-Felix) has suffered greatly from poaching and migrations caused by armed conflicts in the Center. Africa. Add to list World Heritage included national the Manovo-Gounda-Saint-Floris park and the Sanga transboundary reserve (with the Republic of the Congo and Cameroon).
Population
The population of the Central African Republic speaks mainly on Niger-Congo languages. B. Ch. countries are inhabited by peoples speaking languages of the Ubangi subfamily Adamawa-Ubangi languages(68.7%), including: in the west - gbaya and related manja, suma, ngbaka, bokoto, ali, bofi (29.9%); to the center. parts and in the south - Banda and Langbasi (18.6%), as well as Ngbandi, Yakoma, Dendi, Gbayi and Mbangi branches of Ngbandi; in the extreme south - the Gundi, Bamasa, Banziri and Buraka pygmies, speaking languages of the Sere-Ngbaka-Mba branch; in the southwest - the Bantu peoples (Mbati, Mpiemo, Pande, Yaka pygmies, or Babinga, etc.; 3.7%); in the southeast - Zande, Nzakara, Geme and Kpatili (3.5%). In the north live peoples who speak the languages of the Kresh (Birri) and Kara-Baghirmi branches (Sara, Gula, Lutos, Kara and Yulu; those belonging to the Kara-Baghirmi Furu live among the Banda in the south of the Central African Republic) Central Sudanese languages(2.9%) and Runga group maba nilo-saharan languages. The country is also inhabited by Fulbe (Fulbe-Baghirmi and Nigerian Fulbe; 5.7%), Arabs - Shoa and Sudanese (2.9%), in the cities - Hau Sa and French.
The population in 1950–2016 increased almost 4 times (over 1.3 million people in 1950; over 1.8 million people in 1970; over 2.9 million people in 1990; by 2016 political instability and military conflicts led to the flight of about 0.5 million people from the country, about 0.45 million people are classified as internally displaced persons). Natural Population growth is high – 21.2 per 1000 inhabitants. (2016, evaluation); means. The birth rate (34.7 per 1000 inhabitants) in the Central African Republic remains against the backdrop of extremely high mortality (13.5 per 1000 inhabitants, 11th highest in the world). The fertility rate is 4.36 children per woman; infant mortality rate 88.4 per 1000 live births (4th highest in the world after Afghanistan, Mali and Somalia). In the age structure of the population, the share of people of working age (15–64 years old) is 56.2%, children (under 15 years old) – 40.3%, people over 65 years old – 3.5% (2016, estimate). The population is young (average age 19.6 years; men – 19.3, women – 19.9 years). The ratio of men and women is approximately equal. Wed. life expectancy is extremely low - 52.3 years (men - 51.0, women - 53.7 years). The Central African Republic is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world (cf. population density 8 people/km2, 2016); the most densely populated valleys of the Shari and Ubangi rivers (near the cities of Bangui and Mobae up to 250 people/km2) and areas in the west of the country (12 people/km2), the least populated are savannas in the north and forests in the northeast and east ( less than 1 person/km 2 ). Share of mountains us. 40% (2015).
Largest cities (thousand people, 2015, estimate): Bangui - 794 (approx. 1 million people in 2013) and Bimbo - approx. 180. Economically active us. St. 2.4 million people (2016, evaluation). In the employment structure the share of s. agriculture accounts for 55%, service sector – 25%, industry – 20% (early 2010s). Unemployment rate 7.6% (2014 estimate). 62.8% of us. lives below the poverty line (2008).
Religion
According to the 2003 census, approx. 80% are Christians, including 51% - representatives of various types. Protestant denominations (Baptists, Lutherans, representatives of the so-called independent African churches) and 29% - Catholics (there is 1 metropolitanate and 8 suffragan dioceses); OK. 10% are Muslims (mostly Sunnis of the Maliki madhhab); 4.5% are representatives of other religions. groups (mainly adherents of traditional beliefs); 5.5% do not identify themselves with any religion. group. According to unofficial It is estimated (2016) that the number of Christians is approx. 50%, adherents of traditions. beliefs - 35%, Muslims - 15%. Since 2007, an Orthodox mission has been operating in the CAR under the jurisdiction of the Cameroon Metropolitanate of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria.
Historical sketch
CAR from ancient times until independence
According to archaeological data, central-african the plains have been inhabited since ancient times. Ancient Egypt the inscriptions mentioned the country of “black dwarfs” Uam (the region of the Mobae and Kembe rivers), inhabited by pygmies. From the 17th century the settlement of the Center began. African Ubangi, by the 19th century. Sudanese tribes. In the 15th–16th centuries. on the territory of modern The Central African Republic formed the state of Gaoga. From the 16th century north-west areas of the Central African Republic were part of the Bagirmi state; in the end 18th century in the east of the Central African Republic the sultanates of Rafai, Ndele, and Bangassou were formed; all R. 19th century some areas were dependent on the state of Vadai and Darfur Sultanate. In con. 19th century b. h. north regions of the Central African Republic became part of the state of Rabbaha.
In con. 19th century European colonization of the Central African Republic began. In 1906–14 it was part of the French. colony of Ubangi-Shari-Chad, which became part of the French Equatorial Africa. In 1914 Chad became independent. adm. unit. In the colony of Ubangi-Shari, a system of indirect control was established, which consisted of adapting the local control system to the needs of colonial policy. Colonial oppression caused active protest from the local population. In 1919–20, 1924–27, anti-colonial protests took place in the Upper Sanga region. All R. 1928 anti-colonial movement spread to the southwest. region, in the Babua region bordering Cameroon. During the 2nd World War, military units of Ubangi-Shari as part of the French. troops at hand Leclerc participated in the war. actions in the North. Africa.
In the context of the rise of the movement for national. independence after World War 2 Catholic priest B. Boganda made an attempt to unite the patriotic. forces, creating the Ubang Union. On its basis, the first African Republic was formed in 1949. party - the Movement for the Social Emancipation of Black Africa, in the same year renamed the Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa. The party came up with a program for liberating the country from colonial dependence.
In 1947, Ubangi-Shari received the status of an “overseas territory”. In 1957 the Government was formed. Council with the participation of Africans under the chairmanship of the French. governor. 12/1/1958 Ubangi-Shari under the name. The Central African Republic (CAR) became an autonomous state within France. communities. In Feb. 1959 The first constitution was adopted.
CAR in the 2nd half of the 20th – early 21st century
On August 13, 1960, the Central African Republic was proclaimed an independent state within the framework of France. communities. D. Dako was elected the first president of the republic. A one-party system was introduced in 1962. As a result, the state After the coup of January 1, 1966, the chief of the general staff of the army, regiment, became the president of the country. J. B. Bokassa. In 1976, the Central African Republic was transformed into Central African. empire (CAI), Bokassa was proclaimed emperor under the name Bokassa I. In 1979, clashes began between the police and the population in Bangui, Bangassou, Bossangoa, etc. 9/20/1979 with the military. With the help of France, Daco returned to power and the republic was restored.
During the next war. coup of September 1, 1981, power was in the hands of the Military. k-ta national revival (VKNV) led by gen. A. Collingboy. On Sept. 1993 During multi-party elections, A.F. Patasse was elected president of the Central African Republic (re-elected in 1999). On Dec. 1994 a new constitution was adopted. In March 2003, power in the country was seized by the former. Chief of the General Staff of Armed Forces CAR forces F. Bozize.
In con. 2005 anti-government groups became more active. Numerous performances. rebel groups. In the fall of 2012, the rebels began to increase their power. the Seleka group (in the Sango language - “union”), which consisted primarily. from Muslims. Formed in Sept. 2012 as an opposition alliance. movements by Dec. 2012 the group counted in its ranks, according to various According to data, from 1000 to 2000 militants (the number of regular Central African army was 3500 soldiers and officers).
In Jan. 2013 in the capital of Gabon, Libreville, organized under the auspices of Economic. community of states Center. Africa negotiations between representatives of the Central African. authorities, political opposition and armed Seleka group. The negotiations ended with the signing of a declaration establishing the principles of overcoming the crisis, a ceasefire agreement and an agreement on political issues. situations and security situations.
In March 2013, Seleka resumed military operations. actions and captured the capital of the country, Bangui. On March 24, 2013, F. Bozizé was deprived of power, which passed to the Seleka group under the leadership. M. Djotodia. On December 5, 2013, the UN Security Council authorized the deployment of a mixed military contingent from African countries and France, later the EU, to the CAR.
At the beginning of Jan. 2014, a regional economic summit was convened in the capital of Chad, N'Djamena. communities of countries Center. Africa on overcoming the crisis in the Central African Republic; On January 10, 2014, under pressure from the summit participants, M. Djotodia resigned. Time K. Samba-Panza was elected president of the country on January 20, 2014. According to the UN, during the conflict 2.5 million people. more than 1 million people began to need humanitarian assistance. left their homes, 160 thousand of them. fled to neighboring countries - Chad, DRC, Cameroon, 2 thousand people. became victims of interreligious clashes.
On Nov. 2015 Pope Francis visited the CAR and called for reconciliation between Christians and Muslims; On December 13–14, 2015, the constitution was held. referendum in which 93% of voters voted in favor of adopting the new Constitution. F. A. Touadera was elected president of the country. The results of the parliamentary elections in connection with numerous violations were annulled by the Constitutional Court.
Diplomatic Relations with the USSR were established on December 7, 1960 (suspended in 1980, restored in 1988). The legal framework includes a trade agreement (1969), an economic agreement. and technical collaboration (1970).
Farm
The Central African Republic is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. GDP volume is 3206.0 million dollars (2016, at purchasing power parity, estimate); based on GDP per capita $700. Human development index 0.350 (2014; 187th place among 188 countries).
The basis of the economy - p. farming, mining and timber harvesting. In the beginning. 21st century the economy is in crisis and needs structural restructuring, the country depends on international financial assistance (forms about 74% of the state budget; main partners are the EU, African Development Bank, World Bank, IMF, France). Socio-political crises and civil wars led to a deterioration in macroeconomics. and social indicators, reducing the flow of direct foreigners. investments ($70 million in 2012, $1.85 million in 2013, $3.48 million in 2014; main investors are France, Japan and China), destruction of infrastructure. Since 2014, after economic decline (by 37.8% in 2013), growth resumed (0.5% in 2014, 4.2% in 2015, 5.2% in 2016). Partial lifting of the embargo on the export of diamonds (imposed in 2013; 12th place in the world in terms of diamond exports in 2012) and the growth of agricultural production. production in 2015 led to an increase in exports by 31.8%. Economic recovery is associated with political stabilization. situation, improvement of the business climate, development of transport and energy. infrastructure, the return of refugees and internally displaced persons (about 25% of us, which means part of them are peasants-pastoralists), and an end to the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
In the structure of GDP, the share of s. farming 47.5%, services – 38.8%, industry – 13.7% (2016, estimate).
Industry
The leading industries are the mining industry (prospects are associated with the beginning of the development of uranium ore deposits) and the harvesting of valuable wood species. The manufacturing industry is poorly developed (due to the limited domestic market, etc.), in 2014 there was an increase in the production of food, beer, and cigarettes. Ch. center - Bangui and its surroundings.
Electricity production 200 million kWh (2014); 56.8% - at hydroelectric power plants, 43.2% - at thermal power plants (2012). The largest stations are hydroelectric power stations “Boali 1”, “Boali 2” (both with a capacity of 14.9 MW) and “Boali 3” (10 MW, under construction in 2017; all on the Mbali River); Thermal power plant in Bangui (6 MW). Mining of diamonds (365.9 thousand carats in 2012, about 530.0 thousand carats in 2000; from 70 to 80% - jewelry) and gold (60 kg in 2014) is one of the main. sources of financial income and employment (approx. 13% of population, including mining, trade and transportation) in the country; Ch. arr. prospectors (from 80 to 100 thousand people, mostly illegally; the activities of Canadian AXMIN and other foreign companies were suspended in the early 2010s). Alluvial placers are being developed, mainly areas - southwest. (Nana-Mambere, Mambere-Kadei, Sanga-Mbaere, Lobae) and central-eastern. [Waca (Huaca) and Haut-Cotto] prefectures. OK. 30% diamonds and approx. 95% of gold is exported illegally (including to Sudan and Chad). The forestry industry is represented by timber harvesting (650 thousand m3 of logs in 2014; the main harvesting is carried out in the southwest of the country), production of lumber (40 thousand m3), veneer and plywood. There are small enterprises in the metalworking (production of aluminum sheets), chemical (household chemicals, soap making), light (cotton ginning, clothing tailoring) and food-flavoring (bottling mineral water, production of beer, sugar, cigarettes, palm oil, bakery products, packaging coffee beans) industry. Craft workshops.
Agriculture
Ch. industry national economy. In the beginning. 2010s citizen The war led to the destruction of production. infrastructure, reduction in acreage, livestock (by 2/3) and production volumes (by almost 60%); Despite the availability of resources, the country does not provide its own. food and agricultural needs raw materials. Small peasant farms predominate (area 1.5–2.0 hectares; farming using traditional extensive methods); private coffee and oil palm plantations.
In the structure of agricultural of land (million hectares, 2014) out of 5.08, arable land accounts for 1.8, pastures 3.2, perennial plantings 0.08. The leading industry is crop production. Ch. food crops (thousand tons, 2014): cassava approx. 700 (worldwide), yams approx. 478 (most sample in the south), cereals approx. 280 (including corn approx. 173), peanuts 157, taro approx. 130. Basic technical crop – sugar cane (harvest over 101 thousand tons, 2014). Ch. export crops (harvest, thousand tons in 2015–16): coffee (over 8.5 green beans; about 24.5 in 1988, 1.5 in 2006), cotton (10.5 cotton seeds; over 37 in 1969, 26 in 1997, 0.75 in 2005) and tobacco (over 0.51 in 2014). Livestock (million heads, 2014): goats 5.8, cattle approx. 4.4, pigs 1.0, sheep 0.4. Beekeeping is developed (mainly in the north-west); collection (thousand tons, 2013) of honey 16.2, wax approx. 0.8 (including for export). Production (thousand tons, 2014): meat approx. 145 (including beef - over 96, goat meat - about 23), milk 84, leather and skins 15.5 (2013); eggs 57.0 million pcs. (2014). The harvest of wild animals (21.0 thousand tons, 2013) and fishing (catch from 20 to 50 thousand tons per year) are important for the population.
Services sector
Leading sectors are trade, administration, transport and logistics, personal services. The financial system is regulated by the State Bank of the Center. Africa (in Yaounde) and in the beginning. 2010s includes 4 commercial banks, 11 microfinance organizations, 2 insurance companies (the main part is in Bangui).
Transport
The road network is poorly developed (the total length of roads is about 20.3 thousand km, including about 1.4 thousand km with hard surfaces, 2010). The only international one in the country. Airport – Mpoko in Bangui. Internal plays an important role. water transport (track length 2.8 thousand km, 2011; including import of petroleum products), ch. ports – Bangi (on the Ubangi river) and Nola (on the Sanga river).
International trade
The foreign trade balance is deficit. Foreign trade accounts for 39.5% of GDP (2015). The volume of foreign trade turnover (million dollars, 2015) is 437.7, including exports 172.8, imports 264.9. Exported (% of value, 2014): timber 83.9, coffee 13.5, cotton 2.1, tobacco 0.3, gold 0.2. Ch. buyers (% of value, 2015): France 63.6, Chad 11.5, Cameroon 8.8. Food imports, will consume. goods, machinery and equipment, petroleum products, chemicals. Ch. suppliers (% of cost, 2015): France 21.1, USA 12.2, Zambia 9.6. Basic Some foreign trade operations are carried out along the transport corridor Bangui – Douala/Cameroon.
Armed forces
Armed The forces (AF) of the CAR number 7.15 thousand people. (2016) and consist of the Ground Forces (LF) and the Air Force. Military officer formations (gendarmerie) 1 thousand people. Military annual budget $75 million (2015 estimate). Commander-in-Chief VS - the president, who exercises general management of the VS through min. defense Operational control of the troops is entrusted to the Chief of the General Staff. On the territory of the Central African Republic under the auspices of decom. international organizations, a military contingent of up to 5 thousand people is deployed.
SV (7 thousand people) are organized into regiments. The SV is armed with 3 tanks, 9 infantry fighting vehicles, 18 infantry fighting vehicles, St. 40 armored personnel carriers, 24 mortars (including 12 120 mm caliber), 14 106 mm recoilless rifles, 9 patrol boats.
The Air Force (numbering about 150 people) is armed with St. 10 airplanes and 2 auxiliary helicopters. aviation; There are no combat aircraft or helicopters.
All weapons and military. foreign technology production Recruitment of regular armed forces upon conscription, service life 24 months. Officer training is carried out mainly. in France. Mobilization resources 845 thousand people, including those fit for military service. service - 442 thousand people.
Healthcare
In the Central African Republic, per 100 thousand inhabitants. accounts for 5 doctors (2009); 10 hospital beds per 10 thousand inhabitants. (2011). Total expenditure on health care is 4.2% of GDP (budget financing - 49%, private sector - 51%) (2014). Legal regulation of the healthcare system is carried out by the Constitution (2015). Health financing accounts for 85% of foreign aid. In the country, more than half of honey. institutions does not work. Basic medical help is only available in the capital. More than a third of district hospitals cannot provide emergency medical care. help. OK. 75% of the healthcare infrastructure has been destroyed. Over 60% of vaccination service points are not functioning. Only 25% of the ambulance fleet is operational. Inaccessibility of medical care and inability to prevent epidemics. outbreaks (sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis) – main. risk factors for the health and life of the majority of the country's population. More than 65% of the rural population does not have access to quality drinking water. The most common infections are: bacillary dysentery, amoebic dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, malaria, dengue fever, meningococcal meningitis, schistosomiasis, rabies. Basic causes of death: AIDS, dysentery, lower respiratory tract infections, malaria, protein deficiency, tuberculosis, stroke, coronary heart disease (2015). Basic recreation areas - surroundings of Bangui.
Sport
National the Olympic Committee was created and recognized by the IOC in 1965; in 1968, the CAR team made its debut at the Olympic Games in Mexico City; after missing three Olympiads (1972, 1976, 1980), he has been constantly participating since 1984 (Los Angeles); no medals won. The most popular sports are basketball and football. Ch. sports arena - stadium named after. B. Boganda (2007, 20 thousand seats), built in Bangui. One of the most popular competitions is boat racing on the river. Ubangi with hundreds of participants on board each.
The Football Federation was created in 1961 and accepted into FIFA in 1964. In 1973–76, Sov worked with the national football team. coach E. A. Rogov. Taekwondo player D. Bui - bronze medalist of the African Championship (2014) in the weight category up to 68 kg. CAR athletes participated in six African events. games; won 1 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals; in 2003, taekwondo player B. Gbongu Liango became the champion in the weight category up to 68 kg.
Education. Scientific and cultural institutions
Educational institutions are managed by the Ministry of National Affairs. education, higher education and scientific. research. The eradication of illiteracy is the responsibility of the Office of Literacy and Non-Formal Education, whose activities are concentrated mainly in within the capital. Basic regulating documents in the field of education - legislator. acts of 1962, 1984, 1997. The education system includes 3-year pre-school education, 6-year primary education (consists of three 2-year cycles: preparatory, primary and primary secondary), 4-year incomplete secondary (general education college), 3 -summer full secondary (lyceum). Preschool education covers approx. 5.6% of children (2011), primary education – 70.56% of children (2012), secondary education – 13.6% of children (2012). The literacy rate of the population over 15 years of age is 36.75% (2015, data from the UNESCO Institute of Statistics). Vocational training is provided on the basis of primary schools for 1–2 years by training centers and vocational schools and 3–4 years by vocational schools; secondary technical education (based on junior high school) – technical. colleges and technical lyceums. In the higher education system, the University of Bangui (1969), as well as a number of higher schools providing incomplete higher education, including the National. School of Art (1967), Nat. adm. school - all in Bangui, several. agricultural educational institutions. Gor. b-ka, Museum named after. B. Boganda (1964), Nat. arts and crafts center (1975) - all in Bangui. Basic scientific Research is being conducted in departments of the university. The Pasteur Institute also operates (1961).
Mass media
The leading daily publication is gas. "E Le Songo" (since 1986); most periodic The publications are published irregularly and have a small circulation. Radio broadcasting since 1958, television since 1974. Broadcasting television and radio programs in French. language and the Sango language is carried out by the state. television and radio company “L’Office de radiodiffusion-télévision franç aise” (ORTF, since 1958). National information agency – Agence Centrafricaine de Presse (ACAP; founded 1974).
Literature
The literature of the peoples of the Central African Republic has been developing since 1960. in French language under the influence of the French. culture and local folklore; lit-ra on sango – in the stage of formation. Founder of the national poetic and prosaic. traditions, as well as the most famous writer - Makombo Bambote (poetic collection "Poetry in History", 1962; novel "Princess Mandapu", 1972). A notable phenomenon was the work of E. Goyemide (plays “The Gentleman from Paris”, 1978, “Collective Responsibility”, 1988; novels “Quiet in the Forest”, 1984; “In the Name of the Law”, 1989; etc.), B. H' Jeuaia, K. Yavuko, F. Lpeko-Etoman, P. Sammi-McPhua, G. Danzi (novel "The Vampire's Ball", 2009).
Architecture and fine arts
Among the buildings 19 – mid. 20th centuries: palace-fortress (“tata”) of Sultan Muhammad al-Senusi in Ndel, Catholic. the cathedrals of Notre-Dame in Bangui, Sainte-Anne in Berberati (not active; both 1930s), Saint-Pierre-Claver (St. Peter Claver) in Bangassou, the church of Saint-Georges in Vango (Ouango; both mid. 20th century; all churches are in neo-romanesque style). The Cathedral of St. Mary - Mother of the Church in Bouar, the mausoleum of B. Boganda in Bobangi, and the presidential palace (“Renaissance Palace”) in Bangui (all 2nd half of the 20th century) were built in the forms of late modernism.
In the 2nd half. 20th century The self-taught artist K. M. Byazen combined graphic and pictorial principles in his compositions. The French also worked in the CAR. artist K. J. Perroni, Cameroonian photographer S. Fosso. Traditional wood carving, pottery, weaving mats, baskets, etc., and making jewelry from metal and ivory are developing.
Music
Musical culture includes plural traditions. peoples, a significant place in the culture of the country is occupied by prof. singer-musicians whose repertoire includes epic and lyric poetry. narratives, fables, etc. A special layer is the vocal music of the pygmies; polyphonic singing of the Aka (a group of Western pygmies inhabiting the southwestern region of the country) is included in the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2003, 2008). In con. 20th century modern ones began to appear. folk ensembles, among them “Zokela” (founded in 1981 in Mbaiki), using electric guitars. The National Opened in Bangui. school of arts with departments of dance, music and drama. lawsuit (1967).
Capital: Bangui. Currency: CFA franc.
| The Central African Republic, with a rich but very tragic history, is, without exaggeration, one of the most beautiful countries in central Africa. However, being the owner of untold wealth in the form of natural resources and minerals, such as diamonds, gold, oil, uranium, etc., it remains below the line of one of the poorest countries in the world. The lack of qualified labor, due to the almost complete lack of education, as well as constant internal conflicts between numerous gangs, reduce the country's development to a minimum and leave little chance of leaving the list of disadvantaged countries. In fact, the people of this country are the bearers of a very interesting culture. These are the rituals and traditions of the tribes that inhabited the republic. Unfortunately, tourism is practically not developed here. |
CAR. Basic information.
Currency CFA franc
Visa Visa to the Central African Republic
Entry with a foreign passport > 6 months. actions. Children: Power of attorney from parent(s) for children under 18 years of age. Visa issuance time: up to 3 days. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
Time Current time in Central African Republic
The time is 2 hours behind Moscow.
Geography of the Central African Republic on an interactive world map
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked state in Central Africa. It is bordered to the east by Sudan, to the south by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), to the southwest by the Republic of Congo (ROC), to the west by Cameroon, and to the north by Chad.
Main partners of the country The main strategic partners are South Africa and the countries of the European Union
Sights Excursions and attractions of the Central African Republic
The Arc de Triomphe is a monument to the short-lived “empire” of the cannibal Bokassa. Near the capital's river port are the Presidential Palace in a pompous pseudo-classical style and the Marché Central (Central Market). The Boganda National Museum displays magnificent examples of African art, as well as a unique collection of folk musical instruments and the most complete exhibition in this region describing the life and culture of the Pygmies. 99 km. To the north-west of the capital there are picturesque Buali waterfalls, especially deep during the rainy season. From the waterfalls you can go on an excursion to the country residence of Emperor Bokassa. M'Baiki is the main area of residence for the pygmy tribes, a short (no taller than 120 cm) people - the best hunters in central Africa. Here are located numerous villages of this people, who still live in the same rhythm as a thousand years ago. Of particular interest to tourists are the M'Baiki waterfalls, areas where hevea and precious ebony are harvested, magnificent products from which can be purchased right there for a ridiculously low fee.
History of the country The ancient history of the peoples of the Central African Republic has been little studied. Due to its remoteness from the oceans and the presence of inaccessible areas, this country until the 19th century. stayed on European maps white spot. Stone Age tools discovered during diamond mining in the Ubangi River basin give reason to believe that many of the Central African plains were inhabited in ancient times. Found in the early 60s of the 20th century by anthropologist Pierre Vidal in the southwest of the country, near Lobaye, the 3 m high stones date back to the megalithic era. Among the Gbaya people they are known as "tajunu", or standing stones.
For a long time, numerous migration routes of African peoples passed through the country, and this significantly influenced its settlement. The first inhabitants of this territory, apparently, were pygmies. The existence of lands to the west of the sources of the Nile, inhabited by dark-skinned peoples, was known to the ancient Egyptians. Deciphered inscriptions on Egyptian monuments tell about the country of Uam (in the area of the Mobai and Kembe rivers), inhabited by “black dwarfs - pygmies.” On ancient Egyptian maps, the Ubangi and Uele rivers were called the Black Nile and were connected to the White Nile into one river. The ancient history of the peoples of the Central African Republic has been little studied.
The area of the current territory of the Central African Republic found itself between the strong feudal state of Kanem-Borno in the north (formed in the 15th century on the western shore of Lake Chad) and the Christian kingdom of Congo in the south (formed in the 14th century in the lower reaches of the Congo River), which had close trade ties.
The state of Gaoga was located on the territory of the Central African Republic. It was formed by rebel slaves. The main occupation of the population was cattle breeding. Haog's horse army had weapons traded with Egyptian traders. The found remains of household utensils have christian symbols, which tell us that Christians lived in Gaoga.
The territory of the Central African Republic was inhabited by local Ubangi tribes: Gbanziri, Buraka, Sango, Yakoma and Nzakara. At the same time, new feudal states were formed near the northeastern borders of the country: Bagirmi, Wadai and Darfur. The population of these states was dependent on the Arabs and subjected to forced Islamization. The Sudanese peoples who resisted the imposition of Islam were forced to go into the interior of the territory. This is how the Sara, Gbaya (Baya), and Banda tribes appeared in the Central African savannah. The Gbayas headed west and settled in northeastern Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the western part of the Central African Republic. The banda settled throughout the territory from the Kotto River in the east to the Sanga River in the west. Sarah stayed in the Lagone and Shari river basin in the north of the Central African Republic. With the arrival of the Sudanese peoples, local tribes were forced to make room and concentrated on the banks of Ubangi. The Azande tribes came to the upper reaches of this river from the Lake Chad region. The extraction of slaves in the territory of the Central African Republic was the main source of wealth for the states of Darfur and Wadai. An ancient caravan route passed through the territory of the Central African Republic through Darfur to Egypt, along which ivory and slaves were transported to the Middle East. By the middle of the 18th century. slave hunters practically devastated these places.
Vast areas in the area of the tributaries of the Shari - Auk and Azum were occupied by the Gula tribes, who were engaged in fishing and trade. The Gula language was widespread in the upper Shari basin. A little later, in early XIX c., agricultural tribes came to the Ubangi plateau from the east. The Sabang tribes occupied the area of a huge quadrangle between Shari and Ubangi, as well as in the middle reaches of the Kotto. The Kreish tribes inhabited the upper Kotto and Shinko basin. In the areas from the Kotto River to Darfur lived numerous tribes of the Yulu, Kara, Binga, Shalla, Bongo and others, who almost completely disappeared. At the same time, part of the Gbaya people, who had previously settled in Zaire and called themselves “Manja,” that is, farmers, settled in the center of the Ubangi-Shari basin.
Europeans (French and Belgians) began to appear in 1884-85, in 1889 the expedition of Colonel M. Dolisi reached the rapids and established themselves in the place of modern Bangui. In 1894 and 1897, respectively, the French authorities concluded treaties with Germany and England to delineate the boundaries between the colonial possessions, as a result of which the modern eastern and western borders of the CAR were drawn up. The conquest of the territory was finally completed after bloody battles at the beginning of the 20th century; in 1903, the formation of the colonial territory of Ubangi-Shari was officially formalized. In 1907, 1919-21, 1924-27, 1928-1931, uprisings of the indigenous population were observed on the territory of the modern Central African Republic, which were suppressed extremely brutally; in a number of areas, the population decreased by 60-80%.
In the post-war period, the first party was created and the first deputy from Ubangi-Shari was elected to the French parliament; it was Barthelemy Boganda, who is considered the founding father of the Central African Republic. Shortly before the Central African Republic gained independence, Boganda died in a plane crash.
Independence period
On August 13, 1960, the Central African Republic was declared an independent state. David Dako became the first president. A one-party system was established in the CAR: the MESAN party (Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa) was declared the only political party in the country.
On January 1, 1966, a military coup was carried out. The chief of staff of the CAR army, Colonel Jean-Bedel Bokassa, became the president of the country, head of government and chairman of MESAN. The CAR parliament was dissolved and the constitution was abolished.
The period of Bokassa's reign was marked by catastrophic corruption and various extravagant enterprises - for example, in December 1976, Bokassa crowned himself emperor and renamed the country the Central African Empire. The coronation ceremony cost half the country's annual budget.
At the end of the 1970s, the economic situation in CAI deteriorated sharply. In April 1979, anti-government demonstrations began and clashes with the police occurred.
In September 1979, Bokassa was overthrown by French paratroopers, after which the country was again led by David Dako, at whose invitation the action was formally carried out. The republic was restored.
Daco was, in turn, removed two years later by General Kolingba, who, under pressure from the West, ceded power to democratically elected authorities in the early 90s. This did not bring stability to the country; a series of coups and counter-coups followed, taking place against the backdrop of social instability and a deteriorating economic situation.
Currently in power is the leader of the faction that won the 2001-2003 civil war, Francois Bozizé.
How to get there Flight schedule to CAR
Only air travel is available. There are no direct flights from Moscow.
Climate The climate and vegetation vary from north to south. Only the southwest retains dense tropical rainforests; towards the northeast, the forests along the river valleys are replaced by savanna woodlands and grasslands. In the north, the average annual precipitation is 1250 mm per year, falling mainly from July to September, as well as in December-January. Average annual temperature 27° C, and in the south - 25° C. The average annual precipitation exceeds 1900 mm; the wet season lasts from July to October; December and January are dry months.
Credit cards are accepted only in two branches of the National Bank
Medicines - a rather meager assortment
Museums National Museum of Boganda
Voltage 220 V
50 Hz
C/E
Population: About 3.3 million people, the majority belong to the Bantu group, the largest of them are Baya (34%), Banda (27%), Mandya (21%), Sara (10%), Mboum (4%), Mbaka (4%) etc.
Regions Regions and resorts of the Central African Republic
The territory of the Central African Republic is divided into 17 prefectures.
The capital city of Bangui is designated as a special administrative unit, equivalent to a prefecture.
Clothes - the best clothes are shorts and short-sleeved shirts
Authorities Republican uniform board, the head of state is the president. The head of government is the Prime Minister, legislative power belongs to the bicameral Congress, consisting of the Economic and Regional Council and the National Assembly.
Area 622,984 km²
Mineral resources The Central African Republic has significant natural resources- deposits of diamonds, uranium, gold, oil, forest and hydropower resources.
Nature and Animals The surface of the country is an undulating plateau with a height of 600 to 900 meters, separating the basins of the Congo River and Lake Chad. Within its boundaries there are eastern and western parts. The eastern part has a general slope to the south, towards the Mbomu (Boma) and Ubangi rivers. In the north is the Fertit massif, consisting of groups of isolated mountains and ridges (over 900 meters high) Aburasain, Dar Shalla and Mongo (over 1370 m). In the south, in some places there are rocky outcrops (locally called “kagas”). The main rivers in the east of the country - Shinko and Mbari - are navigable in the lower reaches; higher up, the passage of ships is hampered by rapids. In the west of the plateau there are the Yade massif, which continues into Cameroon, individual kagas remnants and latitudinally oriented horsts bounded by faults. A gently undulating plateau of white sandstones stretches between Berberati, Bouar and Boda.
The climate and vegetation change from north to south. Only in the southwest are dense and humid tropical forests preserved; towards the northeast, the forests along the river valleys are replaced by savanna woodlands and grasslands.
Industry Gold, diamond, uranium, oil mining, logging
Religion Adherents of local beliefs - 60%, Christians and Muslims are also present.
Health risks danger of contracting HIV infection
Communication Internet
Russian operators do not have GPRS roaming. There are several providers throughout the country that provide Internet access. Internet cafes are popping up.
cellular
Communication standard is GSM 900. Roaming is available to Megafon and Beeline subscribers. Local operators are not yet able to provide reliable reception throughout the entire territory. MTS subscribers are offered the use of Thuraya satellite communications.
Agriculture Agriculture is the basis of the economy. This includes agriculture and cattle breeding.
Capital city Bangui
Telephone code +8-10-236 (city code + tel.)
Tourism Tours to the Central African Republic
tourism is poorly developed due to the unstable situation in the republic
Flag
The national flag of the Central African Republic was adopted on December 1, 1958. Its design was developed by Barthelemy Boganda, a prominent figure in the independence movement of the Central African Republic, who nevertheless believed that “France and Africa must go together.” Therefore, he combined the red, white and blue colors of the French tricolor and the Pan-African colors: red, green and yellow. The red color symbolizes the blood of the people of the country, the blood that was shed in the struggle for independence, and the blood that the people will shed if necessary to defend the country. The color blue symbolizes the sky and freedom. White - peace and dignity. Green - hope and faith. The color yellow symbolizes tolerance. The golden five-pointed star is a symbol of independence and a guide to future progress.
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