World  > Africa  > Central African Republic
For a breakdown of information on Central African Republic - Africa, select from the following list(s):
Travel Information >>> Useful addresses General information Passport & visa Money Duty Free Public holidays Health Getting there Getting around Accommodation Sports and Activities Social profile Business profile Climate History & government Overview Maps	Regions and Cities >>> Resorts & Excursions - Overview
General Information Area: 622,984 sq km (240,535 sq miles). Population: 3,576,884 (official estimate 2001). Population Density: 5.7 per sq km. Capital: Bangui. Population: 524,000 (1994). GEOGRAPHY: The Central African Republic is bordered to the north by Chad, to the east by Sudan, to the south by the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo, and to the west by Cameroon. It is a large, landlocked territory of mostly uninhabited forest, bush and game reserves. The Chari River cuts through the centre from east to west; towards the Cameroon border the landscape rises to 2000m (6560ft) west of Bocaranga in the northwest corner, while the southwest has dense tropical rainforest. Most of the country is rolling or flat plateau covered with dry deciduous forest, except where it has been reduced to grass savannah or destroyed by bush fire. The northeast becomes desert scrubland and mountainous in parts. Government: Republic. Head of State: President Ange-Félix Patassé since 1993. Head of Government: Prime Minister Martin Ziguélé since 2001. Language: The national language is Sango, but French is the official administrative language and is essential for business. Religion: Mostly animist. One-third of the population is Christian. There is a small Islamic minority. Time: GMT + 1. Electricity: 220/380 volts AC, 50Hz. Communications:   Telephone IDD is available. Country code: 236, although some calls are still directed through the operator. Mobile telephone GSM 900 network is operated by Telecel Centrafrique (website: www.telecel.com). Coverage is limited to the capital, Bangui. Internet ISPs include Socatel (website: www.socatel.intnet.cf), Fateb and Bangui 2000. Telegram Telegrams may be sent Sat 1430-1830, Sun 0800-1830. Post There is a post office in each prefecture. Local postal services are unreliable. Both postal and telecommunications services are in the course of development. Airmail services to Europe take approximately one week, although it is often much longer; surface mail can take up to three months. Poste Restante facilities are available in Bangui. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1130 and 1430-1630, Sat 1430-1830, Sun 0800-1100, open for stamps and telegrams only . Press There are two daily newspapers, E Le Songo and Le Novateur, an independent publication. The weekly publications have limited distribution and are in French. BBC World Service and Voice of America frequencies: From time to time these change. BBC (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice): MHz 17.83 15.40 11.77 7.160 Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov): MHz 15.58 11.98 6.035 0.909 From www.columbusguides.com, Copyright © 2004 Highbury Columbus Travel Publishing Terms and Conditions apply.