22 Interesting Facts About the Central African Republic (CAR)

The Central African Republic (CAR) is one of the poorest countries in the world. Poverty, hunger, and ongoing conflicts are a harsh reality for its inhabitants. For most people living there, hope for a brighter future is limited, and survival is a daily struggle. While some brave individuals attempt to migrate to more stable regions, many are unsuccessful. CAR is considered a poor country even by African standards.

Facts About CAR

1. Borders: The Central African Republic shares borders with six other countries, none of which are particularly peaceful or prosperous.
2. Population Density: Unlike many other African nations, CAR does not suffer from overpopulation—the population density here is low.
3. Languages: The official languages of CAR are Sango and French, but in practice, many local dialects are also widely spoken.
4. European Interest: European explorers only began to take an interest in the territories of modern-day CAR in the 19th century.
5. Sparse Population: The average population density in CAR is just over 6 people per square kilometer, which is about one-third lower than in Russia.
6. Capital City: The capital of CAR, Bangui, was founded in the late 19th century by the French as a fortified outpost. The name of the city has remained unchanged since then.
7. Short-Lived Empire: A former dictator of CAR, Jean-Bédel Bokassa, crowned himself emperor and renamed the country the Central African Empire. However, his reign was short-lived, lasting only three years before he was overthrown.
8. Life Expectancy: The average life expectancy in CAR is very low—around 50 years—due to constant conflicts, poor healthcare, limited access to clean drinking water, and widespread hunger.
9. Natural Resources: The country is rich in natural resources, including oil, diamonds, and other valuable minerals. Despite this, CAR consistently ranks among the poorest countries in the world.
10. Ethnic Origins: More than half of the population of CAR are descendants of people from Nigeria and Sudan.
11. Religious Conflicts: About 80% of CAR’s population adhere to Christian denominations, while the majority of the remaining population are Muslims. However, religious conflicts and riots are not uncommon.
12. Banking System: The banking sector in CAR is underdeveloped, making bank cards useless. All transactions must be done in cash.
13. Rural Life: In rural areas of CAR, there are typically no streets in villages and towns. Houses and other structures are placed haphazardly.
14. Currency: The local currency is the Central African CFA franc, which is used not only in CAR but also in five other countries.
15. Pygmies: Among the various ethnic groups in CAR are the Pygmies, known for being one of the shortest peoples in the world.
16. Cooking Practices: In village homes, cooking is often done over an open fire inside the hut. However, chimneys are rare, so smoke escapes through gaps between the roof and walls.
17. Road Infrastructure: There are very few paved roads in CAR, and those that exist are often covered in sand because no one cleans them.
18. Luxury Hotels: The entire country has only one five-star hotel, located in the capital.
19. French Influence: Like Madagascar, which was also a former French colony, French baguettes are very popular in CAR.
20. Mobile Phone Access: In the capital, there are many street vendors who provide access to their phones for a fee since most locals do not own mobile phones.
21. Widespread Weapons: Weapons are so widespread and accessible in CAR that locals often trade them for food.
22. International Airport: CAR has only one international airport, which is frequently blocked due to unrest and other disturbances.