Map of Central African Republic
Central African Republic is a country in Africa with its capital at Bangui, home to about 5.51 million people across 622,984 km². The interactive map below plots 21 cities and towns, 11 rivers and 2 mountain summits recorded for Central African Republic in YearMaps.
- Population
- 5.51 million
- Area
- 622,984 km²
- Capital
- Bangui
- Continent
- Africa
Interactive Map of Central African Republic
Centred on Bangui at 4.3666° N, 18.5583° E. Use the layer panel to switch on rivers, dams, ports, peaks and historical borders.
About Central African Republic
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is 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. The CAR covers a land area of about 620,000 square kilometres (240,000 sq mi). As of 2024, it has a population of 5,357,744, consisting of about 80 ethnic groups. Having been a French colony under the name Ubangi-Shari, Sango is its national language and was also its co-official language alongside French. Its capital and largest city is Bangui, which sits on the country's southern border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The CAR mainly consists of Sudano-Guinean savanna, but also includes a Sahelo-Sudanian zone in the north and an equatorial forest zone in the south. Two-thirds of the country is within the basin of the Ubangi River (a tributary of the Congo River), while the remaining third lies in the basin of the Chari River, which flows into Lake Chad.
The region has been inhabited since at least 8000 BCE. The 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. After gaining independence from France in 1960, the CAR was ruled by a series of autocratic leaders, including Jean-Bédel Bokassa who changed the country's name to the Central African Empire and ruled as a monarch from 1976 to 1979. The Central African Bush War began in 2004 and, despite a peace treaty in 2007 and another in 2011, civil war resumed in 2012. The civil war perpetuated the country's poor human rights record, characterized by widespread and increasing abuses by various participating armed groups.
Despite the vast amounts of natural resources, such as uranium reserves, crude oil, gold, diamonds, cobalt, lumber, and hydropower, as well as significant quantities of arable land, the CAR is among the ten poorest countries in the world, with the lowest GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPP) in the world as of 2017. As of 2023, according to the Human Development Index, the country had the third-lowest level of human development, ranking 191 out of 193 countries. The country had the second-lowest inequality-adjusted Human Development Index, ranking 164th out of 165 countries. It has been ranked as the unhealthiest country and the worst country for young people.
Summary adapted from Wikipedia: Central African Republic (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Geography and Climate of Central African Republic
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a perennially weak state that sits at the crossroads of ethnic and linguistic groups in the center of the African continent. Among the last areas of Sub-Saharan Africa to be drawn into the world economy, its introduction into trade networks around the early 1700s fostered significant competition among its population. The local population sought to benefit from the lucrative Atlantic, trans-Saharan, and Indian Ocean trade in enslaved people and ivory. Slave raids aided by the local populations fostered animosity between ethnic groups that remains today. The territory was established as a French colony named Ubangui-Shari in 1903, and France modeled its administration of the colony after the Belgian Congo, subcontracting control of the territory to private companies that collected rubber and ivory. Although France banned the domestic slave trade in CAR in the 1910s, the private companies continued to exploit the population through forced labor. The colony of Ubangi-Shari gained independence from France as the Central African Republic in 1960, but the death of independence leader Barthelemy BOGANDA six months prior led to an immediate struggle for power. CAR’s political history has since been marred by a series of coups, the first of which brought Jean-Bedel BOKASSA to power in 1966. Widespread corruption and intolerance for any political opposition characterized his regime. In an effort to prolong his mandate, BOKASSA named himself emperor in 1976 and changed the country’s name to the Central African Empire. His regime’s economic mismanagement culminated in widespread student protests in 1979 that were violently suppressed by security forces. BOKASSA fell out of favor with the international community and was overthrown in a French-backed coup in 1979. After BOKASSA’s departure, the country’s name once again became the Central African Republic. CAR’s fifth coup in 2013 unseated President Francois BOZIZE after the Seleka, a mainly Muslim rebel coalition, seized the capital and forced BOZIZE to flee the country. The Seleka's widespread abuses spurred the formation of mainly Christian self-defense groups that called themselves the anti-Balaka, which have also committed human rights abuses against Muslim populations in retaliation. Since the rise of these groups, conflict in CAR has become increasingly ethnoreligious, although focused on identity rather than religious ideology. Elections in 2016 installed independent candidate Faustin-Archange TOUADERA as president; he was reelected in 2020. A peace agreement signed in 2019 between the government and the main armed factions has had little effect, and armed groups remain in control of large swaths of the country's territory. TOUADERA's United Hearts Movement has governed the country since 2016, and a new constitution approved by referendum on 30 July 2023 effectively ended term limits, creating the potential for TOUADERA to extend his rule.
- Location
- Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Climate
- Tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers.
- Terrain
- Vast, flat to rolling plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest.
- Highest point
- Mont Ngaoui 1,410 m.
- Lowest point
- Oubangui River 335 m.
- Coastline
- 0 km (landlocked)
- Land borders
- Total: 5,920 km; border countries: Cameroon 901 km; Chad 1556 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,747 km, Republic of the Congo 487 km; South Sudan 1055 km; Sudan 174 km.
- Major rivers
- Oubangui (Ubangi) river [s] (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo [m]) - 2,270 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth.
- Natural resources
- Diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil, hydropower.
- Land use
- Agricultural land: 9.1% (2023 est.); arable land: 2.9% (2023 est.); permanent crops: 1.4% (2023 est.); permanent pasture: 4.8% (2023 est.); forest: 72.5% (2023 est.); other: 18.4% (2023 est.)
- Natural hazards
- Hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common.
- Geographic note
- Landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa.
- Languages
- French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages.
- Religions
- Roman Catholic 34.6%, Protestant 15.7%, other Christian 22.9%, Muslim 13.8%, ethnic religionist 12%, Baha'i 0.2%, agnostic/atheist 0.7% (2020 est.)
- Ethnic groups
- Baya 28.8%, Banda 22.9%, Mandjia 9.9%, Sara 7.9%, M'Baka-Bantu 7.9%, Arab-Fulani (Peuhl) 6%, Mbum 6%, Ngbanki 5.5%, Zande-Nzakara 3%, other Central African Republic ethnic groups 2%, non-Central African Republic ethnic groups.1% (2003 est.)
- Economy
- Enormous natural resources; extreme poverty; weak public institutions and infrastructure; political and gender-based violence have led to displacement of roughly 25% of population; Bangui-Douala corridor blockade reduced activity and tax collection; strong agricultural performance offset COVID-19 downturn.
From the CIA World Factbook (public domain), archived edition of 2026-01-22. The Factbook is no longer updated, so figures reflect that edition.
Central African Republic in Numbers
- Population
- 5.51 million
- GDP
- US$3.1 billion
- GDP per person
- US$556
- Life expectancy
- 57.7 years
- Population growth
- 3.37% a year
- Population density
- 9 per km²
- Urban population
- 44.5%
- Surface area
- 622,980 km²
- Forest cover
- 72.5%
- Arable land
- 2.9%
- Access to electricity
- 18.2%
- Internet users
- 13.8%
Indicators from World Bank Open Data (CC BY 4.0). The year under each figure is its reference year.
Central African Republic in Depth
History
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. Initial farming of white yam progressed into millet and sorghum, and before 3000 BCE the domestication of African oil palm improved the groups' nutrition and allowed for expansion of the local populations. This agricultural revolution, combined with a "Fish-stew Revolution", in which fishing began to take place and the use of boats, allowed for the transportation of goods. Products were often moved in ceramic pots.
The Bouar Megaliths in the western region indicate an advanced level of habitation dating to the late Neolithic (c. 3500–2700 BCE).
Geography
The Central African Republic is a landlocked nation within the interior of the African continent. It is bordered by Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the Republic of the Congo. It lies between latitudes 2° and 11°N, and longitudes 14° and 28°E.
At 622,984 square kilometres (240,535 sq mi), the Central African Republic is the world's 44th-largest country. Much of the country consists of a flat or rolling plateau savanna approximately 500 metres (1,640 ft) above sea level. In addition to the Fertit Hills in the northeast, there are scattered hills in the southwest. In the northwest is the Yade Massif, a granite plateau with an altitude of 348 metres (1,143 ft).
Economy
The per capita income of the Republic is often listed as being approximately $400 per year, one of the lowest in the world, but this figure is based mostly on reported sales of exports and largely ignores the unregistered sale of foods, locally produced alcoholic beverages, diamonds, ivory, bushmeat, and traditional medicine. The annual growth rate of real GDP is slightly above 3%. The primary import partner is France (17.1%). Other imports come from the United States (12.3%), India (11.5%), and China (8.2%). Its largest export partner is France (31.2%), followed by Burundi (16.2%), China (12.5%), Cameroon (9.6%), and Austria (7.8%). The currency is the CFA franc, which is accepted across the former countries of French West Africa and trades at a fixed rate to the euro.
Demographics
The population has almost quadrupled since independence. In 1960, the population was 1,232,000; as of a 2021 UN estimate, it is approximately 5,457,154. The nation comprises over 80 ethnic groups, each having its own language. The largest ethnic groups are the Baggara Arabs, Baka, Banda, Bayaka, Fula, Gbaya, Kara, Kresh, Mbaka, Mandja, Ngbandi, Sara, Vidiri, Wodaabe, Yakoma, Yulu, and Zande, with others including Europeans of mostly French descent.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Central African Republic (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Central African Republic: Key Facts
| Currency | Central African CFA franc |
|---|---|
| Official languages | French, Sango |
| Head of state | Faustin-Archange Touadéra |
| Head of government | Félix Moloua |
| Calling code | +236 |
| Internet domain | .cf |
| Highest point | Mont Ngaoui |
| Lowest point | Ubangi River |
| Established | 1960 |
Facts from Wikidata Q929 (CC0).
History of Central African Republic: Empires and States
The atlas records 8 polities whose mapped territory included part of Central African Republic, from French Third Republic in 1890 CE to 2024 CE. They are listed in the order they first appear.
| Polity | Period here | Extent |
|---|---|---|
| French Third Republic | 1890–1939 CE | Most |
| French Africa | 1890–1957 CE | Most |
| The French Colonial Empire | 1890–1957 CE | Most |
| Belgian Congo | 1890–1959 CE | A small part |
| French Fourth Republic | 1945–1957 CE | Most |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1960–2024 CE | A small part |
| Central African Republic | 1961–2024 CE | Most |
| Zaire | 1973–1995 CE | A small part |
Historical Maps of Central African Republic
Central African Republic on the world map in each year one of these states held it:
Derived by testing mapped cities against dated territorial polygons. Dates are when the polygons cover this place, not the polity's whole lifespan, and polities absent from the source dataset are not listed.
Visiting Central African Republic
The Central African Republic (French: République centrafricaine or Centrafrique, Sangho: Ködörösêse tî Bêafrîka), also known by the acronym CAR, is located in the heart of Africa. The former French colony has borders with six countries and has had a very troubled history since the 1960s.
Political instability, corruption, and recurrent rebellions and conflicts have beset the resource-rich nation and the country is one of the world's poorest and least developed countries.
Under less extreme circumstances, however, the Central African Republic is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by the brave and the bold, with verdant rainforests and incredible wildlife.
Travel notes adapted from Wikivoyage: Central African Republic (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Largest Cities in Central African Republic
21 cities recorded. Ranked by metropolitan population. A port city's harbour is written up on the page of its sea.
| # | Name | Population | Region | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bangui | 831,925 | Bangui | National capital |
| 2 | Mbaïki | 67,132 | Lobaye | Admin-1 capital |
| 3 | Bossangoa | 63,064 | Ouham | Admin-1 capital |
| 4 | Bambari | 62,098 | Ouaka | Admin-1 capital |
| 5 | Berbérati | 61,815 | Mambéré-Kadéï | Admin-1 capital |
| 6 | Kaga Bandoro | 56,520 | Nana-Grébizi | Admin-1 capital |
| 7 | Bozoum | 40,201 | Ouham-Pendé | Admin-1 capital |
| 8 | Carnot | 38,071 | Mambéré-Kadéï | Populated place |
| 9 | Bouar | 34,372 | Nana-Mambéré | Admin-1 capital |
| 10 | Sibut | 34,267 | Kémo | Admin-1 capital |
| 11 | Bangassou | 32,841 | Mbomou | Admin-1 capital |
| 12 | Bria | 29,027 | Haute-Kotto | Admin-1 capital |
| 13 | Nola | 26,809 | Sangha-Mbaéré | Admin-1 capital |
| 14 | Zemio | 20,000 | Haut-Mbomou | Populated place |
| 15 | Mobaye | 19,431 | Basse-Kotto | Admin-1 capital |
| 16 | Obo | 12,887 | Haut-Mbomou | Admin-1 capital |
| 17 | Ndele | 11,764 | Bamingui-Bangoran | Admin-1 capital |
| 18 | Birao | 10,178 | Vakaga | Admin-1 capital |
| 19 | Bossembélé | 7,287 | Bangui | Populated place |
| 20 | Ouadda | 5,434 | Haute-Kotto | Populated place |
| 21 | Yakossi | 500 | Mbomou | Populated place |
Highest Mountains in Central African Republic
2 mountains recorded. Ranked by summit elevation above sea level. A summit on a border is listed under both countries.
| # | Name | Elevation | Feet | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mont Ngaoui | 1,410 m | 4,626 ft | Africa |
| 2 | Masif des Bongos | 1,400 m | 4,593 ft | Africa |
Mont Ngaoui
Mountain · 1,410 m
Mont Ngaoui is a mountain rising to 1,410 metres (4,626 ft) in the Central African Republic and Cameroon, in the Africa region. The summit stands on the border between them. From PeakBagger.com, with kind permission..
Mont Ngaoui is the highest mountain in the Central African Republic. It is located on the border with Cameroon and has a summit elevation of 1,410 metres (4,626 ft).
Adapted from Wikipedia: Mont Ngaoui (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Elevation
- 1,410 m (4,626 ft)
- Global rank
- #508 of 641 indexed
- Region
- Africa (#73)
- Countries
- Central African Republic, Cameroon
- Coordinates
- 6.5901°, 14.9001°
Of the 641 named summits indexed in YearMaps, Mont Ngaoui ranks #508 by elevation, below Balsam Beartown Mountain (1,436 m) and above Masif des Bongos (1,400 m).
- Ranges:
- Marrah Mountains (Africa), Ruwenzori Range (Africa)
More about Mont Ngaoui
Mont Ngaoui: Key Facts
| Mountain range | Adamawa Plateau |
|---|
Facts from Wikidata Q2422162 (CC0).
Rivers in Central African Republic
11 rivers recorded. Listed alphabetically. A river is listed where its mapped reach lies, so long rivers appear under more than one country.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Central African Republic
1 World Heritage Site recorded. Listed by year of inscription, earliest first. Sites shared with another country appear under each.
| # | Name | Inscribed | Type | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park | 1988 | Natural | (ix) (x) |
Mountain Ranges, Deserts and Landforms of Central African Republic
5 mountain ranges, deserts and other landforms recorded. Ranked by mapped area. Covers mountain ranges, deserts, plateaus, named glaciers, plains, basins, peninsulas and capes. One that crosses a border is listed under every country it lies in, with the area of the whole feature.
| # | Name | Area | Type | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Africa | 29.41M km² | Continent | Africa |
| 2 | Congo Basin | 3.11M km² | Basin | Africa |
| 3 | Sahel | 1.02M km² | Plain | Africa |
| 4 | Chaîne des Mongos | 88,668 km² | Range/mtn | Africa |
| 5 | Libyan Desert | 6,751 km² | Desert | Africa |
Countries Bordering Central African Republic
Land and maritime neighbours.
More Maps in Africa
Central African Republic: Quick Answers
- What is the capital of Central African Republic?
- The capital of Central African Republic is Bangui.
- What is the population of Central African Republic?
- Central African Republic has a population of about 5.51 million, the #120 largest of 225 countries in YearMaps. Source: World Bank, 2025.
- How big is Central African Republic?
- Central African Republic covers 622,984 km², ranking #46 by area, with about 9 people per square kilometre.
- Which continent is Central African Republic in?
- Central African Republic is in Africa.
- Which countries border Central African Republic?
- Central African Republic shares a land or maritime border with Chad, South Sudan, Republic of the Congo, DR Congo, Cameroon, Sudan.
- What is the largest city in Central African Republic?
- Bangui is the largest city in Central African Republic, with a metropolitan population of about 831,925.
- What is the highest mountain in Central African Republic?
- The highest summit recorded for Central African Republic in YearMaps is Mont Ngaoui at 1,410 m (4,626 ft). Summits on a border are counted for both countries.