Its population: 4,095,140
(2006); population growth rate: 1.4% (2006)
Independence
from France: August 13, 1960 National holiday:
National Day: December 1, (1958 - proclamation of the republic) Constitution:
passed by referendum 29 December 1994; adopted 7 January 1995
Industrial
productions: diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear,
assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
Central
African Republic - CAR - has plenty of natural resources to use and develop
to enter the circle of prosperous countries.
It is, however, rated amongst the poorest nations in the world. Three
decades of mismanagement (1960-1992) - most of the time under military rule -
and one decade of chronic unrest and political fights (1993- 2003) led the country
to bankrupcy. The last coup dated back to March 2003 when Francois Bozize toppled
president Ange Patassé.
Doubtless, the chronic instability existing
since 10 years running made it difficult for successive CAR's governments to
implement long term economic development strategy. Consequently, the country
lack modern transportation network. Scarce financial means are used for security,
Law and Order enforcement.
That lack of adequate transportation network is
a bottleneck for the economic development of CAR. Indeed, fuel needed for motor
cars, power stations etc.; is fully imported. 12 to 14 days of river transportation
are necessary to reach CAR's capital city of Bangui (over 1,200 km of navigation
alongside river's bank controlled by "unfriendly" population) from harbors and storage facilities located in the Democratic
Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo,
CAR's economy is always under threat of strangulation. If, for one reason
or another, fuel shipment arrivals are delayed - or canceled altogether; due to
the volatile political situation prevailing in the two Congo's - the economy grinds
down.
As observer of CAR's economy, one is astonished by the fact that
exports to East Africa and Arabic Gulf region is quite nil (Exports - partners:
Benelux 36%, Cote d'Ivoire 4%, Spain 4%, Egypt 3%, France 50% - (2001). That is
an economic bad planning as it is a well known fact that these east African and
Arabian regions are demanding for agricultural products and timber and are the
gateway to Southeast Asia's financial and consumers big markets. CAR policy-makers
should devote time and energy in establishing a viable transportation network
for energy (fuel) supply either by pipeline or by railways transport system.
Click
here for a "Strategic Economic Development Scheme for
African countries.
Visas are required by all except national of France, Germany, Israel and Switzerland.
Visas are issued generally within 24 hours but are expensive. Where there is no
Central African Republic embassy the French embassy will often issue visas.
Visa extensions can be obtained from the immigration office in Bangui. For
more contact one of the following addresses
Tourism
Office - OCATOUR
Office centrafricain du tourisme Rue Roger Guérillot P.O.Box 645
Bangui Tel: +(236) 61.45.66
Representation
in the US 1618 22nd
Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 Tel: +(1) 202
483-7800 Fax:+(1) 202 332-9893
Embassy
in Belgium 416
Lambermont B1330 Brussels Tel : +(32) 2 242 2880
/ 215 1311
Embassy
in France 30, rue
Perchamps F 75016 Paris Tel : +(33) 1 42 24 42
56 Fax : +(33) 1 42 88 98 95
AIR-LINKING
/ TRANSSHIPPING
Air-Gabon, Cameroon Airlines, Air-France
Three main rivers flow between
the Central African Republic and surrounding countries: the Republic
of Congo and The Democratic Republic
of Congo; they are the Oubangui River, the Sangha and Mpoko Rivers used for
bulk transportation of various commodities and fuel by ferries and tankers. Navigability
is possible only during the rainy season, from May to October.
The main river-port is located at the Capital-City Bangui. It handles
most of energy (fuel) and other imported goods. Its characteristics are: haulage
/capacity : 350 000 metric tons; 350 m of linear berthing facility; 24, 000 m2
of storage capacity.
Transport
Development Office
Projet Sectoriel de Transports (PST) P.O. Box: 941 Bangui Tel:
+(236) 61 62 94 Fax: +(236) 61
65 79 Telex 5267 RC
ACCOMMODATION
Facilities for tourism are limited. The Dzanga-Sangha National Park, a primeval
rain forest in the southwestern region of the country, is an interesting site
for eco-tourism. Hunting expeditions are available through licensed companies
in the Central African Republic.(See for instance the Manovo s.a address below
listed)
Most remote areas in the country are accessible only by four-wheel
drive vehicles, although some roads are not passable at all during the rainy season
- May through October.
There are very few hotels equipped to international
standards in the Capital -City Bangui. Contact following addresses for more.
Tourism
Office - OCATOUR
Office centrafricain du tourisme Rue Roger Guérillot P.O.Box 645
Bangui Tel: +(236) 61 45 66
- CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC - BRIEFS
.-
The former French colony of
Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic
upon independence in 1960. 
