Central African Republic
World Watch List
(2019-2023)
- Population:
- 5,331,000
- Language:
- French
- Religion:
- Christianity
The Central African Republic (CAR) was home to various ethnic groups before becoming a French colony in the late 19th century. It gained independence in 1960 but has struggled with political instability, military coups, and conflicts. Despite its vast natural resources, including diamonds and gold, CAR remains one of the world's poorest countries, facing challenges such as governance issues and humanitarian crises.
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country in Central Africa, bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan to the northeast, South Sudan to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, the Republic of the Congo to the southwest, and Cameroon to the west. Covering an area of approximately 622,984 square kilometers, CAR has a population of around 4.7 million people as of 2023. The capital and largest city is Bangui. The official languages are French and Sango. CAR operates as a unitary semi-presidential republic. The economy is primarily based on agriculture, with significant exports of diamonds, timber, and cotton. Despite its natural resources, CAR faces challenges such as political instability, armed conflicts, and widespread poverty. The country is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).