Capital: Bangui
Location:
Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo (slightly smaller than Texas).
Registration Embassy and Consulate:
U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Bangui at Avenue David Dacko, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Central African Republic. The mailing address for the U.S. Embassy in Bangui is B.P. 924, telephone (236) 61-02-00; fax (236) 61-44-94; the after-hours telephone for U.S. citizens is (236) 61-34-56 or 61-69-14.
Background:
The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960. After three tumultuous decades of misrule - mostly by military governments - a civilian government was installed in 1993.
Ethnic Groups:
Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum 4%, M'Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 1,500 French)
Language :
French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), Arabic, Hunsa, Swahili
Currency:
XAF
Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 493.05 (March 2007), 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XAF per euro
Climate:
Tropical; hot, dry winters; mild to hot, wet summers
Population :
3,576,884
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2001 est.)
Religion:
Indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, other 11%
note: animistic beliefs and practices strongly influence the Christian majority
Medical:
Medical facilities are limited, and the quality of acute care is unreliable. Sanitation levels are low. Many medicines are not available. Travelers are advised to bring their own properly-labeled supplies.
U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties.
Safety:
As a result of the 1998 and 1999 elections, Bangui has returned to normal following the three military mutinies that took place in the capital city in 1996 and 1997, leading to violence and looting. No specific threats were directed against U.S. citizens. However, American citizens should avoid political rallies and street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times.
Traffic Safety:
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning CAR is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation:
Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance:
Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance:
Poor
Due to the risk of armed attacks on motorists in the central, eastern and northern regions, overland travel in these areas without a military escort should be avoided. Most remote areas in the country that are frequented by tourists and hunters are accessible only by four-wheel drive vehicles, although some roads are not passable at all during the rainy season (May through October).
U.S. citizens traveling to the Central African Republic should be aware of periodic fuel shortages. During these periods of shortages, taxi service in Bangui is reduced, and it is difficult to rent a vehicle with fuel for travel outside the capital.
