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Central African Republic

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in central Africa, with Bangui as its capital.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The Central African Republic is a landlocked country in central Africa, with Bangui as its capital. A former French colony, it has faced long periods of political instability since independence in 1960 and remains one of the world’s least developed countries.

Geography

The Central African Republic covers a large area in central Africa and is landlocked. Its terrain is generally a plateau, with forested areas in the south and savanna in the north.

History

The territory was part of French Equatorial Africa and became independent from France in 1960. Since then, the country has experienced repeated political crises, coups, and periods of instability.

Government and politics

The Central African Republic is a multiparty republic with a president as head of state and a prime minister as head of government. Contemporary political life has often been shaped by conflict, transitional arrangements, and international peace efforts.

People and economy

The population is ethnically diverse and includes speakers of several languages, with French and Sango used nationally. Agriculture is a major economic activity, alongside extractive industries such as diamonds and gold.

Key facts

  • The Central African Republic is landlocked and located in the centre of Africa.
  • Bangui is the capital and largest city.
  • French and Sango are its official languages.
  • The country has experienced recurrent political instability since independence in 1960.
  • Its economy is based largely on agriculture and natural resources, including diamonds and gold.
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Canadian context

Canada has participated in humanitarian assistance and international peace and development efforts related to the Central African Republic, including through multilateral channels and UN-linked initiatives.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Central African Republic landlocked?
Yes. It has no coastline and is entirely surrounded by other African countries.
What is the capital of the Central African Republic?
Bangui is the capital and largest city.
What languages are spoken there?
French and Sango are the official languages, and many other local languages are also spoken.
When did the Central African Republic become independent?
It became independent from France in 1960.
What is the country’s currency?
The Central African CFA franc is the official currency.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/place/Central-African-Republic
    Supports: Capital, head of state, head of government, government type, population estimate, and general country overview.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_African_Republic
    Supports: Area, official languages, former name Ubangi-Shari, landlocked status, capital, and largest city.
  3. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13150040
    Supports: Independence-era instability, capital, area, population, languages, and president.
  4. UNEP/GRID — https://dicf.unepgrid.ch/central-african-republic
    Supports: Bordering countries, landlocked status, terrain, climate, and estimated population trends.
  5. International Fund for Agricultural Development — https://www.ifad.org/en/w/countries/central-african-republic
    Supports: Landlocked status, population, and political instability.