The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country located in Central Africa. This country of staggering exceptional natural beauty is neighboured by Chad in the north, Sudan in the east, DR Congo and the Republic of the Congo in the south and Cameroon in the west. The CAR covers a land area of about 622,941 sq km and has an estimated population of about 4.4 million residents (2008 Est.). The capital city is Bangui.
Geographically, much of the country comprises of rolling plateau savanna, about 500m above sea level, of which most of the northern half lies within the World Wildlife Fund’s East Sudanian savanna ecoregion.
Dominantly the southern border is covered by streams of River Congo, with the Mbomou River in the east joining with River Uele and forming the Ubangi River. The eastern border lies along the edge of the Nile river watershed. In the west, River Sangha flows through part of the country. Because the country is well watered, it generally experiences a tropical climate.
Present-day capital, Bangui is so popular with adventurous travellers. The city is built on a rock, shaded by tropical greenery; watered by River Ubangi and features many modern architectural buildings. Places of interest for tours include the lively Central Market (renowned for its malachite necklaces), the Boganda Museum, the Arts and Crafts School, the cathedral and the Saint Paul Mission, whose small brick church overlooks the river, and the Hausa quarter.
Other top attractions in the country aside from the Bangui attractions include the Chutes De Boali (a series of spectacular waterfalls); the Dzanga-Sangha National Park popular for its gorilla concentration; Bamingi Bangoro National Park; St. Floris National Park; Andre Felix National Park. These wildlife conservation areas are home to forest elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos plus several other animals. One of the lowland gorilla’s last habitats is found in the rainforests of the south and offers a perfect destination for Central African Republic safaris.
Getting There
CAR can be accessed by border crossings from most of its neighbours. For Cameroon (popular crossing point is in Garoua-Boulaï town); Chad (main crossing at Sido, on the route to Sarh); Congo (by riverboat between Bangui and Brazzaville); DR Congo (Main border crossing is over the Oubangui River from Bangui to Zongo); Sudan (The route from Bangui to Juba, via Obo). The main airlines serving the country include Benin Golf Air, Cameroon Airlines, Air France and Sudan Airways. Main Airport is Bangui M’Poko. Several other flight connections are also available from Cameroon, Benin and Gabon.