The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in the heart of Africa, named for its position on the continent, with vast equatorial forests and a population of fewer than 6 million people.
Geography & landscape
Central African Republic sits in Middle Africa, in the northern hemisphere of Africa. With an area of approximately 622,984 km², it is a mid-sized country, set in the northern hemisphere and exposed to the tropical climate band typical of its latitude. Its capital, Bangui, lies near coordinates 7°, 21°.
The country shares the cultural and geographic context of Africa, with neighbouring states and trade routes shaped by its position in the wider Middle Africa region. Topography, watersheds and coastline (where present) define the practical realities of agriculture, settlement and transport across Central African Republic.
People & society
The population of Central African Republic is around 5.5M. Communities, dialects and customs vary by region, and the country’s sense of identity is shaped by its history, its borders and the everyday rhythms of its towns and cities.
Central African Republic recognises multiple official languages — French and Sango — reflecting the cultural plurality at the heart of national life. The choice of language often shifts with region, audience and context.
Government & politics
Central African Republic is structured as a semi-presidential republic. Political authority is exercised through institutions based primarily in Bangui, with the head of state and head of government performing constitutional roles defined by the country’s legal framework. Domestic policy, foreign relations and the administration of public services all flow from this constitutional core.
Economy & currency
The official currency of Central African Republic is the Central African CFA Franc (XAF). Monetary policy, banking, taxation and trade are managed nationally, often in coordination with regional and international institutions. Major economic activity tends to cluster around Bangui and other principal urban centres, with secondary economies built on the country’s natural resources, manufacturing capacity and service industries.
Culture & everyday life
The cultural footprint of Central African Republic shows up in cuisine, music, sport, religious life, festivals and design. National holidays mark the country’s historical pivots; family meals, café culture and street life follow patterns rooted in geography and tradition. International audiences usually meet Central African Republic through its sport, its music, its food, or the global diaspora that carries those things abroad.
Travel essentials
The capital, Bangui, is the natural starting point for first-time visitors. International dialling uses the country code +236, and clocks are set to the WAT (UTC+1) time zone. ISO standards identify Central African Republic as CF (alpha-2) and CAF (alpha-3) — useful when booking flights, decoding number plates, or matching customs paperwork. The flag, 🇨🇫, appears at every border post and on every passport.
By the numbers
Sort or filter the table below to compare key metrics at a glance.
| Metric | Value | Unit / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Capital city | Bangui | — |
| Continent | Africa | — |
| Sub-region | Middle Africa | — |
| Population | 5.5M | people |
| Area | 622,984 | km² |
| Currency | Central African CFA Franc (XAF) | — |
| Calling code | +236 | international dialling |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) | standard time |
| Government type | Semi-presidential republic | — |
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | CF | 2-letter code |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | CAF | 3-letter code |
| Latitude | 7 | degrees |
| Longitude | 21 | degrees |
Did you know?
The Central African Republic adopted Sango — a Ngbandi-based creole — as a co-official language alongside French in 1991.
