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Description Central African Republic by rbd.me
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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 - civilian rule was established in 1993 and lasted for one decade. President Ange-Felix PATASSE's civilian government was plagued by unrest, and in March 2003 he was deposed in a military coup led by General Francois BOZIZE, who established a transitional government. Though the government has the tacit support of civil society groups and the main parties, a wide field of candidates contested the municipal, legislative, and presidential elections held in March and May of 2005 in which General BOZIZE was affirmed as president. The government still does not fully control the countryside, where pockets of lawlessness persist. Unrest in the neighboring nations of Chad, Sudan, and the DRC continues to affect stability in the Central African Republic as well.
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Location
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Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Area - comparative
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slightly smaller than Texas
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Natural resources Central African Republic
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vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
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Population Central African Republic
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landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
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Religions Central African Republic
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Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, other 2%
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Languages
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indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%
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Education Central African Republic expenditures
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French (official), Sangho (lingua franca and national language), tribal languages
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Government Central African Republic type
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1.4% of GDP (2006)
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Independence
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14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture), 2 economic prefectures* (prefectures economiques, singular - prefecture economique), and 1 commune**; Bamingui-Bangoran, Bangui**, Basse-Kotto, Haute-Kotto, Haut-Mbomou, Kemo, Lobaye, Mambere-Kadei, Mbomou, Nana-Grebizi*, Nana-Mambere, Ombella-Mpoko, Ouaka, Ouham, Ouham-Pende, Sangha-Mbaere*, Vakaga
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Central African Republic Economy - overview
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four equal horizontal bands of blue (top), white, green, and yellow with a vertical red band in center; a yellow five-pointed star to the hoist side of the blue band; banner combines the Pan-African and French flag colors; red symbolizes the blood spilled in the struggle for independence, blue represents the sky and freedom, white peace and dignity, green hope and faith, and yellow tolerance; the star represents aspiration towards a vibrant future
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Investment Central African Republic
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61.3 (1993)
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Industries Central African Republic
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gold and diamond mining, logging, brewing, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles
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Airports Central African Republic
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2,800 km (primarily on the Oubangui and Sangha rivers) (2007)
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