An Introduction to Central African Republic
The Central African Republic was previously a French Colony known as Ubangi-Chari: it gained full independence in 1960. For more than three decades, it was then ruled by Presidents who were not freely elected or took power by force - but local discontent reinforced by international pressure brought the first multi-party democratic elections in 1993 and the ten-year Presidency of Ange-Fãlix Patassã. Despite another coup and government bankruptcy, the country remains free of dictatorship. See full country profile.Latest Research News from Africa
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GOVERNMENT: republic
AREA: 622,984 sq km
POPULATION: 4,950,027 (July 2011 est.)
MAJOR LANGUAGE: French, Sango
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Trade and Industry in Central African Republic
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The Central African Republic was previously a French Colony known as Ubangi-Chari: it gained full independence in 1960. For more than three decades, it was then ruled by Presidents who were not freely elected or took power by force - but local discontent reinforced by international pressure brought the first multi-party democratic elections in 1993 and the ten-year Presidency of Ange-Fãlix Patassã. Despite another coup and government bankruptcy, the country remains free of dictatorship.
The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world and among the te' poorest countries in Africa. The Human Development Index score of 0.369 gives the country a rank of 179 out of 182 countries with data.
GDP: $3.446 billion (2010 est.) - Per capita = $700 (2010 est.)
Religions indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%. Note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Currency: Central African Franc (XAF) - GBP 1 = XAF 746.25
Telephone Code: +236
Subsistence agriculture and forestry are the backbone of the economy, generating more than half of GDP. Timber (16%) and diamonds (40%) between them make up the majority of export earnings (2010: $146.7m). Constraints to economic development include the country's landlocked position, poor transportation, a largely unskilled work force, unsuccessful economic policies and factional fighting between the government and its opponents. Humanitarian grants are provided by France and the international community, but the distribution of income is extraordinarily uneven.
The much-quoted per capita income figure of c.$300 a year is based mostly on reported sales of exports and mostly ignores the larger unregistered economy which includes foods, locally produced alcohol, diamonds, ivory and other products.
Major partners for export were Belgium (35.6%), China and Morocco. A wide range of imports (2010: $237.3m) come from countries including France (14.7%), the USA (9.6%), Cameroon (9.1%) and the Netherlands (8.3%).
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