Central African Republic

Background: 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. In March 2003 a military coup deposed the civilian government of President Ange-Felix PATASSE and has since established a new government.
Location: Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo Area: Total: 622,984 sq km. Area - comparative: Slightly smaller than Texas. Land boundaries: 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.
Climate and Terrain: Climate: Tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers. Terrain: Vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest Natural resources: Diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower.
People: Population: 3,683,538. Ethnic groups: Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%. Religions: Indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%. Note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority. Languages: French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages. Government type: Republic Capital: Bangui. Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France).
Government: Government type: Republic Capital: Bangui. Independence: 13 August 1960 (from France).
Economy overview: Subsistence agriculture, together with forestry, remains the backbone of the economy of the Central African Republic (CAR), with more than 70% of the population living in outlying areas. The agricultural sector generates half of GDP. Timber has accounted for about 16% of export earnings and the diamond industry for 54%. 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, with GDP growth likely to be no more than 1.3% in 2003. Distribution of income is extraordinarily unequal. Grants from France and the international community can only partially meet humanitarian needs.
Statistics: Telephones - main lines in use: 9,500. Telephones - mobile cellular: 710. Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 5, shortwave 1. Radios: 283,000. Television broadcast stations: 1. Televisions: 18,000. Internet users: 2,000. Railways: 0 km. Highways: Total: 23,810 km, paved: 643 km. unpaved: 23,167 km. Airports - with paved runways: Total: 3, with unpaved runways: Total: 47.