Africa · Middle Africa

Central African Republic

Flag of Central African Republic
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+01:00
🏛️ Capital
Bangui
👥 Population
6,470,307
📐 Area
622,984 km²
💱 Currency
Central African CFA franc (Fr)
🗣️ Languages
French, Sango
📞 Calling Code
+236
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+01:00
🌐 Region
Africa / Middle Africa

About Central African Republic

The Central African Republic occupies a vast, landlocked heart of Africa, a country of enormous biological wealth and deeply challenging circumstances. Dense rainforests in the southwest, vast savannas across the center, and rocky highlands to the north create a landscape of exceptional diversity that harbors western lowland gorillas, forest elephants, bongo antelopes, and one of the most extraordinary concentrations of wildlife on the continent. The country's rivers — tributaries of the Congo and Ubangi systems — are arteries of life supporting communities that have lived in these forests for thousands of years.

Bangui, the capital on the Ubangi River, sits at the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo and offers a small-city atmosphere where the pace of life feels entirely distinct from urban Africa elsewhere. Riverside markets, the imposing Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Boganda Museum give a compressed but meaningful introduction to the country's identity. For those with the resources and resolve to venture deeper, the Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve in the southwest offers one of Africa's most intimate wildlife experiences: forest elephant clearings (bais), western lowland gorilla habituation, and BaAka pygmy cultural immersion in jungle settings of extraordinary primeval beauty.

The CAR is not a destination for unprepared or risk-averse travelers. Significant portions of the country have experienced armed conflict for over a decade, and infrastructure is among the most limited on the continent. But for wildlife professionals, serious conservationists, and the most intrepid adventurers willing to navigate its complexities, the Central African Republic offers encounters with nature at a rawness and scale that few places on earth can still provide.

History & Background

The territory of the Central African Republic was home to advanced Iron Age societies and was part of the great Saharan trade networks in the pre-colonial era. The region suffered immensely from the 19th-century slave trade — Arab slavers from the north and east raided communities across the territory for decades, decimating populations. French colonial forces arrived in the 1880s, and the territory was organized as Ubangi-Shari within French Equatorial Africa. French companies were granted concessions over vast areas and extracted rubber and ivory through brutal forced labor systems that rivaled the worst excesses of the Belgian Congo.

Independence came on August 13, 1960, under President Barthélemy Boganda, who coined the national motto "Unity — Dignity — Work." The country's post-independence history has been marked by repeated military coups, the extraordinary rule of Jean-Bédel Bokassa (who declared himself Emperor in 1977 in a ceremony that cost the equivalent of the country's annual healthcare budget), and endemic poverty driven by governance failures despite significant diamond, gold, and timber resources. A civil war beginning in 2012 and continuing in various forms has created a major humanitarian crisis. International peacekeeping forces and the Khartoum peace process have brought partial stabilization to some areas.

Culture & People

The Central African Republic is home to over 80 ethnic groups, with the Baya and Banda peoples forming the two largest communities in the country's center and north. Sango, a Creole-influenced lingua franca derived from a Ngbandi river dialect, serves as the national language alongside French and is spoken by the majority of the population, giving the country a linguistic cohesion unusual in Africa's diverse landscape. The Sangha River basin in the southwest is home to the BaAka people — one of Africa's last remaining forest-dwelling hunter-gatherer communities, whose profound ecological knowledge and polyphonic music represent one of humanity's most ancient living traditions.

Music and dance are deeply embedded in Central African social life: the hindewhu vocal style of the BaAka — recorded internationally by ethnomusicologists and influenced composers from jazz to contemporary classical — is a remarkable artistic achievement built on call-and-response singing, yodeling, and forest spirit invocations. Wooden slit drums, harps, and thumb pianos feature in the musical traditions of communities across the savanna. Weaving, basket-making, and iron-smelting traditions, though diminished by conflict and displacement, represent a living material culture connecting modern Central Africans to deep pre-colonial histories.

Food & Cuisine

Central African cuisine is characterized by the tropical abundance of the forest and savanna — cassava, plantain, yams, and maize form the starchy foundation of most meals, cooked with an array of leafy greens, freshwater fish, and game meats into stews and soups that are deeply flavorful and satisfying. Gozo, a thick cassava dough similar to West Africa's fufu or banku, is the primary staple and is eaten by hand with vegetable or meat sauces. Roadside grills throughout Bangui serve brochettes of goat, beef, and chicken over charcoal, seasoned simply with salt and local spices.

The Ubangi River and Congo tributaries provide exceptional freshwater fish: capitaine (Nile perch), tilapia, catfish, and smaller species are smoked, dried, or freshly grilled and form a critical protein source for communities throughout the country. Bush meat, including duiker antelope, is consumed in rural areas though conservation concerns have made this increasingly contentious. Palm nut soup cooked with meat, tomatoes, and chili is a rich, oil-infused classic found throughout the country. Locally brewed sorghum beer (bili bili) is the traditional social drink, consumed communally from large clay pots during celebrations and gatherings.

Top Attractions

  • Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve — A UNESCO World Heritage rainforest harboring forest elephants at the Dzanga clearing, western lowland gorillas, and BaAka forest culture.
  • Dzanga Bai — A forest clearing where up to 100 forest elephants gather simultaneously at the mineral lick, one of Africa's most extraordinary wildlife spectacles.
  • BaAka Cultural Experiences — Visits to BaAka communities in the Sangha forest offer rare insight into one of humanity's oldest surviving hunter-gatherer traditions and musical cultures.
  • Bangui Cathedral — The Notre Dame Cathedral overlooking the Ubangi River is one of Central Africa's most striking colonial-era religious buildings.
  • Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park — A UNESCO-listed savanna park of exceptional biodiversity, though currently inaccessible due to security conditions in the north.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Check the latest government travel advisories without exception before planning any visit — large parts of the CAR are subject to "do not travel" warnings from most Western governments.
  • Travel to Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve should be organized exclusively through vetted specialist operators who have active conservation relationships with the reserve management.
  • Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory; hepatitis A, typhoid, malaria prophylaxis, and meningococcal vaccination are all strongly recommended.
  • The Central African CFA franc is the currency; euros are useful for changing in Bangui but US dollars are also accepted in some contexts.
  • Always travel with a registered local guide and remain in contact with your country's embassy in Bangui throughout your stay.
  • Internet and mobile connectivity is limited outside Bangui; download offline maps and carry paper backup materials for any overland journey.

Visa Overview

All foreign nationals require a visa to enter the Central African Republic. Visas should be obtained in advance from a CAR embassy or consulate abroad, as visa on arrival is not reliably available. Requirements include a valid passport with at least six months of validity, a completed application form, passport photos, a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and the visa fee. Travelers should also carry a letter of invitation or confirmation from a tour operator, particularly for wildlife tourism to Dzanga-Sangha. Given the security situation, specialist tour operators handling Dzanga-Sangha visits typically manage the visa and entry process for guests.

Getting Around

Bangui's Bangui M'Poko International Airport receives limited international flights primarily from Paris, Ethiopian Airlines hubs, and regional African carriers. Within the country, road travel is extremely challenging — vast distances on unpaved roads that become impassable in the rainy season. Overland travel outside Bangui and immediate environs should only be undertaken with specialist operators who have current security intelligence. Dzanga-Sangha is best reached by small aircraft charter from Bangui, as the overland route is long and passes through areas of security concern. Hiring vehicles in Bangui requires going through established local operators.

Safety Notes

The Central African Republic is one of the world's most challenging travel destinations from a safety perspective. Armed groups operate across large parts of the country, and multiple Western governments advise against all travel except to specific areas like Bangui and Dzanga-Sangha under specialist guidance. If visiting, register with your embassy, travel only with expert local guides, avoid political gatherings and military checkpoints, and maintain a low profile. Malaria is hyperendemic. Medical facilities are extremely limited — comprehensive evacuation insurance is not optional.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Central African Republic.

Central African CFA franc (XAF) Fr
Updated: 2026-10-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.016172
AAVE 0.000009
ADA 0.006345
AED 0.006279
AFN 0.110466
AKT 0.002234
ALGO 0.013313
ALL 0.140236
AMD 0.618528
AMP 2.666326
ANG 0.003074
AOA 1.566103
APE 0.010671
APT 0.002082
AR 0.000379
ARB 0.008386
ARS 2.598603
ATOM 0.000939
ATS 0.020977
AUD 0.002453
AVAX 0.000151
AWG 0.003060
AXS 0.001305
AZM 14.532610
AZN 0.002907
BAKE 6.660975
BAM 0.002982
BAT 0.016208
BBD 0.003419
BCH 0.000005
BDT 0.210173
BEF 0.061498
BGN 0.002982
BHD 0.000643
BIF 5.136646
BMD 0.001710
BNB 0.000002
BND 0.002188
BOB 0.020509
BRL 0.008546
BSD 0.001710
BSV 0.000086
BSW 4.154808
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.024470
BTG 0.002592
BTN 0.164846
BTT 4,598.815856
BUSD 0.001709
BWP 0.023531
BYN 0.005216
BYR 33.514667
BZD 0.003438
CAD 0.002439
CAKE 0.000699
CDF 3.951099
CELO 0.016440
CFX 0.031158
CHF 0.001422
CHZ 0.102208
CLP 1.663583
CNH 0.011460
CNY 0.011464
COMP 0.000070
COP 5.468699
CRC 0.782334
CRO 0.025177
CRV 0.004638
CSPR 0.670257
CUC 0.001710
CUP 0.040954
CVE 0.168106
CVX 0.000772
CYP 0.000892
CZK 0.037295
DAI 0.001710
DASH 0.000030
DCR 0.000093
DEM 0.002982
DFI 1.870666
DJF 0.304156
DKK 0.011394
DOGE 0.018031
DOP 0.102464
DOT 0.001382
DYDX 0.011702
DZD 0.229828
EEK 0.023853
EGLD 0.000383
EGP 0.089636
ENJ 0.051645
EOS 0.016824
ERN 0.025645
ESP 0.253654
ETB 0.278102
ETC 0.000193
ETH 0.000001
EUR 0.001524
EURC 0.001524
FEI 0.001710
FIL 0.001432
FIM 0.009064
FJD 0.003847
FKP 0.001294
FLOW 0.054037
FLR 0.237191
FRAX 0.001727
FRF 0.0100
FTT 0.006618
GALA 0.705659
GBP 0.001294
GEL 0.004437
GGP 0.001294
GHC 201.003012
GHS 0.020100
GIP 0.001294
GMD 0.126536
GMX 0.000195
GNF 15.031930
GNO 0.000014
GRD 0.519470
GRT 0.058718
GT 0.000153
GTQ 0.013047
GUSD 0.001713
GYD 0.356898
HBAR 0.016984
HKD 0.013417
HNL 0.045843
HNT 0.003295
HOT 3.733288
HRK 0.011486
HT 0.046875
HTG 0.223409
HUF 0.560026
ICP 0.000490
IDR 30.629604
IEP 0.001201
ILS 0.005229
IMP 0.001294
IMX 0.009324
INJ 0.000226
INR 0.164846
IQD 2.235151
IRR 3,074.932254
ISK 0.208750
ITL 2.951825
JEP 0.001294
JMD 0.270552
JOD 0.001212
JPY 0.270322
KAS 0.039852
KAVA 0.024662
KCS 0.000225
KDA 0.175117
KES 0.221934
KGS 0.149528
KHR 6.926154
KLAY 0.041051
KMF 0.7500
KNC 0.011936
KPW 1.538939
KRW 2.295205
KSM 0.000334
KWD 0.000528
KYD 0.001421
KZT 0.778388
LAK 38.363395
LBP 154.184797
LDO 0.003732
LEO 0.000192
LINK 0.000124
LKR 0.563913
LRC 0.166526
LRD 0.291758
LSL 0.028465
LTC 0.000025
LTL 0.005264
LUF 0.061498
LUNA 0.033480
LUNC 32.334184
LVL 0.001071
LYD 0.010970
MAD 0.017064
MANA 0.016533
MBX 0.057807
MDL 0.030641
MGA 7.571289
MGF 37.856444
MINA 0.012690
MKD 0.093797
MKR 0.000001
MMK 3.588949
MNT 6.146655
MOP 0.013819
MRO 0.684510
MRU 0.068451
MTL 0.000654
MUR 0.081043
MVR 0.026431
MWK 2.959191
MXN 0.030903
MXV 0.003513
MYR 0.006985
MZM 109.128572
MZN 0.109129
NAD 0.028465
NEAR 0.000327
NEO 0.000675
NEXO 0.002011
NFT 7,164.758710
NGN 2.260294
NIO 0.062854
NLG 0.003360
NOK 0.016409
NPR 0.263876
NZD 0.003055
OKB 0.000013
OMR 0.000658
ONE 0.011673
OP 0.012718
ORDI 0.000376
PAB 0.001710
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.005887
PEPE 395.320534
PGK 0.007703
PHP 0.107448
PI 0.019586
PKR 0.472731
PLN 0.006678
POL 0.015634
PTE 0.305633
PYG 9.988022
QAR 0.006223
QNT 0.000007
QTUM 0.001744
ROL 81.489320
RON 0.008149
RPL 0.000894
RSD 0.179058
RUB 0.145050
RUNE 0.002202
RVN 0.696833
RWF 2.520041
SAND 0.026000
SAR 0.006411
SBD 0.013795
SCR 0.024216
SDD 102.612611
SDG 1.026126
SEK 0.017173
SGD 0.002188
SHIB 292.068231
SHP 0.001294
SIT 0.365329
SKK 0.045927
SLE 0.039417
SLL 39.416840
SNX 0.006829
SOL 0.000014
SOS 0.972735
SPL 0.000285
SRD 0.064465
SRG 64.465465
SSP 9.790803
STD 37.614696
STN 0.037615
STX 0.004562
SUI 0.001433
SVC 0.014960
SYP 22.232536
SZL 0.028465
THB 0.057548
THETA 0.007383
TJS 0.015735
TMM 29.999837
TMT 0.006000
TND 0.005117
TOP 0.004118
TRL 84,075.284543
TRX 0.005088
TRY 0.084075
TTD 0.011576
TUSD 0.001711
TVD 0.002453
TWD 0.054337
TWT 0.002995
TZS 4.510839
UAH 0.077003
UGX 6.873225
UNI 0.000193
USD 0.001710
USDC 0.001710
USDD 0.001711
USDP 0.001720
USDT 0.001711
UYU 0.069065
UZS 20.111327
VAL 2.951825
VEB 148,867,379.761534
VED 1.488674
VEF 148,867.379762
VES 1.488674
VET 0.195918
VND 44.444162
VUV 0.205526
WAVES 0.005731
WEMIX 0.008928
WOO 0.124901
WST 0.004758
XAG 0.000028
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.004628
XCG 0.003074
XCH 0.001092
XDC 0.050876
XDR 0.001264
XEC 214.397689
XEM 2.723187
XLM 0.007922
XMR 0.000003
XOF 1.0000
XPD 0.000001
XPF 0.181920
XPT 0.000001
XRP 0.001138
XTZ 0.005117
YER 0.403826
ZAR 0.028465
ZEC 0.000001
ZIL 0.468527
ZMK 33.801278
ZMW 0.033801
ZWD 0.618739
ZWG 0.045771
ZWL 114.369505

No currencies match your search.

Cities in Central African Republic 178
Browse all cities and towns
( Balé-Loko) ( Bogongo Gaza) (Lessé) Abba Akourousoulba Akpia Alindao Amada-Gaza Amada-Gaza (Haute-Boumbé) Baboua Bagandou (Moboma) Bakouma Balego Bamba Bambari Bambio (Mbaéré) Bamingui Bang Bangassou Bangui Bania Baoro Baoro (Bawi-Tédoa) Bata Batangafo Batibla Bayanga Bégoua Békadili Békazénan Beloko Bémal Berbérati Betoko Bilolo Bimo Bingué Birao Boali Bobangui (Pissa) Bobanou Bocaranga Boda Bodoupoua Boganangone ( Boutélossi) Boguila Bohong Bondia Bongangolo Bossangoa Bossembélé Bossemptele Bossongo II Bossongo-Manoeuvres Bouansouma Bouar Bouca Bowaye Boyabane Boyo Bozoum Bria Budua Bukoko Carnot Dabizi Damara Déde-Mokouba (Haute-Kadéï) Dekoa Dilapoko Dimbi Djemah Doaka Féré Gadzi (Topia) Gallo Gambo Gamboula (Basse-Boumbé) Gaudrot Gbada Gisibanda Gogourtakoro Goussou Gouze Grimari Guen Hang-Zoung Herman-Brousse Ippy Kabo Kaboro Kaga-Bandoro Kassagon Kemba Kembé Kolo Kongbo Kouango Koui Kounang Kounde Kounpo Léré Linga Lopo Maloum Mambéllé Mamvoula Mann Markounda Mbaïki Mbali Mbankoé Mbata Mbolo Mbotoga Mboula Mbouli Mbrès Mingala Mobaye Mongoumba Moyenne Sido Nana-Bakassa Nandobo (Haute-Batouri) Nao Nassole (Ouakanga) Ndélé Ndim Ndinguiri Ndogba Ndomete Ngakobo Ngaoundaye Ngodjo Ngotto ( Lobaye) Niem Niem-Yéléwa Nola Noufou Nzako Nzoro Obo Ongo Ouadda Ouanda Djallé Ouango Paoua Pende Poumayassi Rafaï Sabou Salo Sam-Ouandja Sapoua (Basse-Mambéré) Satema Senkpa-Mbaéré Sibut Sosso-Nakombo (Basse-Kadéï) Taley Tapourou Tere Tiringoulou Vange vilage minier village minier Wampo Wapo (Basse-Batouri) Yaloke Yawa ( Boganda) Yéléwa Yenga Yombo Yoro-Samba Bougoulou Zémio Zondo Zotoua-Bangarem Zoulouma

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Central African Republic needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Central African Republic?
The capital of Central African Republic is Bangui.
What currency does Central African Republic use?
Central African Republic uses the Central African CFA franc (Fr) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Central African Republic?
The official language(s) of Central African Republic include French, Sango.
What is the population of Central African Republic?
Central African Republic has a population of approximately 6,470,307 people.
What region is Central African Republic in?
Central African Republic is located in Africa, specifically in the Middle Africa subregion.
What is the international calling code for Central African Republic?
The international dialing code for Central African Republic is +236.
What time zones does Central African Republic observe?
Central African Republic observes the following time zone(s): UTC+01:00.
What is the current time in Central African Republic?
The local time in Central African Republic is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Central African Republic?
Central African Republic covers a total area of 622,984 km².
How many states or provinces does Central African Republic have?
Central African Republic is divided into 17 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Central African Republic in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Central African Republic in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Central African Republic?
Visa requirements for citizens of Central African Republic vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.