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Central African Republic: Quick Facts

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News •

Federal judge grants return of Minnesota man deported to Africa, attorney says • Oct. 30, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (CBS)
Toronto-bound Afghan woman deported to Africa after ICE detention • Oct. 24, 2026, 5:45 AM ET (Globe and Mail)
'The fishing's terrible': Deforestation devastates Central African river • Oct. 21, 2026, 11:40 AM ET (Phys.org)

Facts

Also Known As République Centrafricaine • Central African Empire • C.A.R.
Head Of Government Prime Minister: Félix Moloua
Capital Bangui
Population (2026 est.) 6,736,000
Head Of State President: Faustin-Archange Touadéra
Form Of Government multiparty republic with one legislative house (National Assembly [140])
Official Languages French; Sango
Official Religion none
Official Name République Centrafricaine (Central African Republic)
Total Area (Sq Km) 622,436
Total Area (Sq Mi) 240,324
Monetary Unit CFA franc (CFAF)
Population Rank (2026) 109
Population Projection 2030 6,124,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 28
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 10.8
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2024) 44.1% • Rural: (2024) 55.9%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2021) 49.6 years • Female: (2021) 55.4 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2024) 2,745
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2024) 510

Photos

Central African Republic
Map of the Central African Republic showing its national boundaries, major cities and towns, and neighboring countries including Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Cameroon, the Republic of the Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. An inset locator map highlights the country's position within Africa.
Boats moored along the banks of the Chari River, Central African Republic.
Map of central Africa highlighting the Central African Republic in orange, with its capital Bangui marked. Surrounding countries, including Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, and Nigeria, are labeled in gray.
Map of the Central African Republic highlighting major physical features such as rivers, mountain ranges, and national parks. Neighboring countries-Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon-are labeled. A locator inset at the bottom right shows the country's position within Africa.
bongo
Bangui, Central African Republic
Map of western Sudan and eastern Chad highlighting Darfur conflict zones and refugee camps. Conflict areas within and outside Darfur are marked, with clusters of refugee camps shown along the Chad border and several camps and internally displaced person (IDP) sites within Darfur. State and international boundaries are indicated, along with major cities such as Al-Fashir, Nyala, and Abeche.
Physical map of the Congo River basin and its drainage network in Central Africa, showing rivers, major tributaries, elevation gradients, cities, international boundaries, and the approximate boundary of the Ituri Forest. Swamps and flood-prone areas are marked in blue, with symbols indicating waterfalls, rapids, and dams. An inset locator map shows the basin's position within Africa.
Central African Republic
National anthem of the Central African Republic
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Related Topics and References

Topics
Barthélemy Boganda
Barthélemy Boganda
Central African politician
Jean-Bedel Bokassa, wearing an ornate crown and red velvet robe, stands on a throne before a large golden eagle backdrop during his coronation as emperor.
Jean-Bédel Bokassa
president of Central African Republic
David Dacko
David Dacko
president of Central African Republic
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, Jean-Bédel Bokassa, and Elisabeth Domitien
Elisabeth Domitien
prime minister of Central African Republic
default image
Émile Gentil
governor of the French Congo

Related Places

Congo (Brazzaville)
Republic of the Congo
capital at Brazzaville
A map of the continent of Africa, including its countries, boundaries, and capital cities. It also shows parts of Europe and Asia and surrounding bodies of water, including the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean.
Africa
continent
Cluster of small houses in a village nestled among green hills beside the wide Congo River, with more hills visible in the background, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Central Africa
region, Africa
Bangui, Central African Republic
Bangui
national capital, Central African Republic
default image
Karre Mountains
mountains, Central African Republic
default image
Tondou Massif
plateau region, Central African Republic
Sudan
Sudan
country, Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
capital at Kinshasa
Cameroon
Cameroon
country, Africa
Chad's flag
Chad
country, Africa
Congo River basin and drainage network
Congo basin
basin, Africa
Ubangi River
Ubangi River
river, Africa
Villagers laundering clothes in the Chari River, Chad
Chari River
river, Africa
default image
Bomu River
river, Central African Republic
default image
Sangha River
river, Africa

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