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. Its name is derived from its geographical location in the central region of Africa and its republican form of government.
Map of the Central African Republic
Geography and Environment
The Central African Republic unfolds across 623,000 square kilometres of forests, savannas and plateaus. Much of the country consists of flat or rolling plateau savanna approximately 500 metres (1,640 ft) above sea level. The country also includes a Sahelo-Sudanian zone in the north and an equatorial forest zone in the south.
The climate is generally tropical, with a wet season that lasts from June to September in the northern regions and from May to October in the south. During the wet season, rainstorms are an almost daily occurrence, and early morning fog is commonplace. The northern areas are hot and humid from February to May, but can be subject to the hot, dry, and dusty trade wind known as the Harmattan. The land-locked country of Central African Republic experiences deforestation and desertification. The tap water is not potable.
Around 36% of the country is covered by forest, with the densest parts generally located in the southern regions. In 2020, forest cover was around 36% of the total land area, equivalent to 22,303,000 hectares. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 22,301,000 hectares (ha) and planted forest covered 2,000 hectares (ha). Of the naturally regenerating forest 9% was reported to be primary forest (consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity).
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Notable geographical features include:
- Fertit Hills in the northeast
- Scattered hills in the southwest regions
- Yade Massif in the northwest, a granite plateau with an altitude of 348 metres (1,143 ft)
- The Ubangi River, a major tributary of the Congo, underpins local agriculture and transport.
Cities and Administration
The Central African Republic is divided into 16 prefectures and the autonomous commune of Bangui. Bangui is the country's capital and largest city, bordering the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Below is a list of 21 prominent cities in Central African Republic. Each row includes a city's latitude, longitude, prefecture and other variables of interest.
Notable Cities: The capital of Central African Republic is Bangui, which is in the commune of Bangui.
TOP 10 Things to do in Bangui, Africa 2023!
History
What is today the Central African Republic has been inhabited since at least 8000 BCE. Approximately 10,000 years ago, desertification forced hunter-gatherer societies south into the Sahel regions of northern Central Africa, where some groups settled. Farming began as part of the Neolithic Revolution.
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The country's borders were established by France, which began annexing portions to the French Congo in the late 19th century and in 1903 established the separate colony of Ubangi-Shari, part of French Equatorial Africa. In 1920, French Equatorial Africa was established and Ubangi-Shari was administered from Brazzaville.
After gaining independence from France in 1960, the Central African Republic was ruled by a series of autocratic leaders, including under Jean-Bedel Bokassa who changed the country's name to the Central African Empire and ruled as a monarch from 1976 to 1979.
A cycle of coups began in 1965 with Jean-Bédel Bokassa-a self-proclaimed emperor whose reign ended under international pressure in 1979. Subsequent decades alternated fragile civilian administrations with military juntas. Today’s semi-presidential republic operates under a 2016 constitution. Executive power rests with President Faustin-Archange Touadéra and a prime minister, while a single-chamber National Assembly enacts legislation.
The Central African Republic Bush War began in 2004 and, despite a peace treaty in 2007 and another in 2011, civil war resumed in 2012.
Ethnic groups in the Central African Republic
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Economy and Resources
Despite its significant mineral deposits and other resources, such as uranium reserves, crude oil, gold, diamonds, cobalt, lumber, and hydropower, as well as significant quantities of arable land, the Central African Republic is among the poorest countries in the world. As of 2023, according to the Human Development Index (HDI), the country had the third-lowest level of human development, ranking 191 out of 193 countries.
The CAR economy stands on subsistence agriculture: cassava, yams, peanuts and cotton feed villages and local markets.
Mineral resources of Central African Republic include diamonds, uranium, gold and oil. Other resources include timber and hydropower.
Basic infrastructure remains uneven. Major roads radiate from Bangui but degrade rapidly in the rainy season. A single railway line connects to Cameroon’s port of Douala, yet it sees minimal freight. Electrification barely reaches 10 % of the population, while mobile networks have grown from zero a decade ago to cover most urban hubs.
Culture and Society
With just under 5 million inhabitants, the CAR remains one of Africa’s least densely populated states. More than 70 % live in rural settings, tending to small plots of cassava or groundnuts. Languages create layers: French serves government and education, while Sango acts as the primary lingua franca. Local dialects persist in villages, preserving oral histories and medicinal lore.
Oral storytelling drives cultural continuity. Griot-like figures recite epic tales by the campfire, weaving lessons on courage, loyalty and community bonds. Artisans carve wooden statuettes and intricate masks of the Banda and Gbaya peoples. Pigments made from local soils color bark-cloth in ceremonial wear.
Cuisine mirrors geography: cassava leaves stewed with palm oil, roasted plantains and groundnut sauces. Wild fruits-bush mango, African star apple-appear at markets.
Tourism here remains off the beaten track, but intrepid travellers find rich rewards. Not far from Bangui, the Boali waterfalls plunge in two tiers, offering a refreshing break. Boat trips on the Ubangi reveal riverine villages, lush banks and the rhythms of daily life. Security constraints require up-to-date advisories. Most tours operate under international guidance, with vetted guides and dedicated 4×4 vehicles.
Natural Hazards
One of the natural hazards for Central African Republic is the hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds, which affects the northern areas.
Additional Resources
- Explore Central African Republic Using Google Earth: Google Earth is a free program from Google that allows you to explore satellite images showing the cities and landscapes of Central African Republic and all of Africa in fantastic detail.
- Central African Republic on a World Wall Map: Central African Republic is one of nearly 200 countries illustrated on our Blue Ocean Laminated Map of the World. This map shows a combination of political and physical features.
- Central African Republic On a Large Wall Map of Africa: If you are interested in Central African Republic and the geography of Africa our large laminated map of Africa might be just what you need.
