Etymology of Central African Republic:-

As the country is in the centre of the continent of Africa and also due to its geographical location it is named as the “Central African Republic”.

History of Central African Republic:-

In ancient times the area from Cameroon to Sudan was occupied by the Adamawa eastern speaking people whereas the Oubangi was occupied by the Central-Sudanic people. The Bantu speaking people were settled in the southwestern part of the country. After that the Muslims also entered into the country.

Firstly in 19th century they had great relations with the local leaders to make the trade and the settlement easy but after 1850 the slave traders started piercing the region with the well armed soldiers and as a result of which most of the population was exported.

In 1875 the French Congo with the headquarters were established in the city namedBrazzaville by the Count Savorgnan de Brazza who wanted to expand the French claims in the Central Africa. In 1889 he succeeded in establishing a post on the Ubangi River and in making a link of the borders of the French Congo with the French territories in West Africa, North Africa and East Africa. Due to the diplomatic agreements in 1894 the French Congo also shares its borders with the German Cameroon and Leopold II’s Congo Free State.

When the European negotiators are ready to favor the borders of the French Congo then the French government was convinced by the Congo Free State to grant 17 companies for the development of the country. In order to use these lands for buying local products and selling European goods they had to pay the large amount of rent as well as taxes and also they employed European and African agents who force the Central Africans to work for their benefit.

In 1900-1910 the first decade of the French Colonial rule the Africans and Europeans made the life of Central Africans so miserable and they are also exported by them. During the second decade of Colonial rule the slavery became to an end and in third period transition takes place. In this period network of roads were built, cash crops were promoted and large number of people had to work on the Congo Ocean railway.

During the fourth and fifth decade of the colonial rule the cotton, tea, and coffee became the important cash crops of Ubangi-Shari and also the mining of diamonds and gold started. In 1940-1950 the Second World War broke out and the pro-Gaullist French officers ruled the Ubangi-Shari.

On 1 December 1958 for the first time the colony of Ubangi-Shari was known by the name Central African Republic as it became the self government territory within the French Community. Finally in August 1960 Central African Republic declared independent and after that Abel Gaumba and David Dacko came into power.

After that one party system was established by Dacko but it was soon dissolved by the Colonel Jean Bedel Bokassa. In 1976 Bokssa declared himself as Emperor Bokassa I of the Central African Empire. When Bokassa was blowed by the France then Dacko again came into power but he was further blowed by the General Andre Kolingba in 1981.

Under the rule of Kolingba the previous constitution was suspended and a new constitution was established and also the semi-competitive elections and municipal elections were held in 1987-88. In 1990 a letter was signed by 253 people in which they had an appeal to Kolingba for the convocation of the National Conference but he refused their appeal. Due to the pressure of GIBAFOR Kolingba has to agree and free elections were held in 1992. To remain in power he started making excuses to suspend the elections but the extreme pressure from GIBAFOR forced him to establish the Mixed Electoral Commission which had members from all the political parties.

In 1993 finally the elections were held and Ange-Felix Patasse won that election and came into power. Also the new constitution was established on December 28, 1994. In 1998 free elections were held and Kolingba won in that election but due to his misbehavior with the people Patasse again became the president of the country.

In 2002 Bozzie attacked Patasse as a result of which Bozzie succeeded in overthrowing Patasse and came into power. Under his rule a new cabinet was formed which includes all the opposition parties and Abel Gaumba became the vice-president of the country.

Politics and Government at Central African Republic:-

Under the rule of Bozzie many people leave their homes, move towards the country Chad and some died in the battles between the government troops and rebel forces.

The country is divided into 14 administrative prefectures and 2 economic prefectures which are further divided into 71 sub prefectures which include Kemo, Ouaka, Ouham, Lobaye and many more. Nana-Grebizi and Sangha-Mbaere are the two economic prefectures while the commune prefecture is Bangui.

Central African Republic Geography:-

The country is situated between 4 degrees 22 minutes north latitude and 18 degrees 35 minutes east longitude. The Central African Republic which covers an area of 240,519 mi2 is the forty third largest country in the world. Flat and rolling plateaus are found in this country. The fertit hills are found in the northeast part whereas the scattered are found in the south western most part of the country. In southern part of the country
Congo River, Mbomou river and Uele river combines to form the Ubangi river whereas the Sangha river in the west and Nile river watershed in the in the eastern part are famous.

The climate of the country used to remain tropical. In the northern regions mostly the hot, dry and dusty winds flow whereas the other parts of the country are always affected by floods from nearby rivers.

Central African Republic Currency:-

Central African Franc. is the currency which is commonly used by the people of the country.

Central African Republic Economy:-

The economy of the country depends upon the sale of the food crops such as Cassava, maize, millet, peanuts and plantains. Also the food crops are converted into alcoholic drinks like sorghum and hard beer which also contribute a lot of money after their sale. The per capita income of the country is regarded poor on the books but it is not true because there is no report of unregistered sales. Diamonds are the largest exporters of the country but the export trade is also largely affected due to the distance of the country from the coast.

Demographics of Central African Republic:-

Around 4,302,360 people are residing in the country. As the nation is divided into the 80 ethnic groups therefore each ethnic group has its own language. Sango and French are the official languages of the country. Mostly the religions followed by the people are Christianity and Islam.

Central African Republic Culture:-

In the Central African Republic people lived in the villages and men are the head of the family. They lived in rectangular huts which are made up of the planks, dried mud, and grass mats.

Porridge which is made up of dried manioc roots eaten with gombo and meat or fish is the main cuisine of the people of the country. Fruits like mangoes, papayas, and guavas are found in large quantities.

Nowadays, western clothes are in a trend of fashion for both men and women. Women generally wore ornaments made up of iron wire and copper with their wraparounds and head kerchiefs.