GENERAL
Official name of the state
Central African Republic
Capital
Bangui.
Geography
According to topschoolsintheusa, the Central African Republic borders Chad to the north, Sudan to the east, the Congo and Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, and Cameroon to the west. The huge country in the heart of Africa has no access to the sea and consists largely of forests, savannah and animal sanctuaries. On the border with Cameroon, in the northwest, west of Bocaranga, the country rises up to 2000 m. In the southwest lies dense tropical rainforest. Most of the country consists of rolling hills and a flat plateau with dry deciduous forests, some of which have been destroyed by bushfires or turned into savannah by deforestation. In the northeast, the landscape changes into quite mountainous wasteland and desert.
Government
Republic since 2004. Presidential republic from 1986 to 2004. Old constitution from 1995. New constitution from 2004. Parliament (National Assembly) with 109 members. Introduction of universal suffrage, in force since 1995. Independent since 1960 (former French colony).
Head of state
Faustin Archange Touadéra, since March 2016.
Head of government
Mahamat Kamoun, since August 2014.
Electricity
220/380 V, 50 Hz. Electricity only in larger locations.
Time zone
West Africa Time: CET +2
TRAVEL WARNING
Overview Central African Republic
Security
advice from the Foreign Office: Status: July 25, 2016
Unchanged valid since: July 14, 2016
Country-specific safety information
In view of the persistent very high security risks and resurgence of fighting, the Federal Foreign Office warns against traveling to the Central African Republic.
Travel over land
Travel throughout the Central African Republic involves significant risks. Across the country, there is a risk of violent crime (kidnapping, looting, street robbery) and of military action. Following attacks, the Republic of Cameroon has temporarily closed some border crossings. Blockades may occur at the most important border crossing into the Republic of Cameroon near Garoua-Boulaï.
Bangui Airport can be closed to civilian air traffic at short notice for security reasons.
In the capital Bangui, after another violent clash at the end of September 2015, the situation pacified after several months. However, there is still a risk of violent crime (kidnapping, looting, break-ins and assaults). Military conflicts cannot be ruled out. It is not advisable to stay outside the immediate city center and to leave the apartment when it is dark. The Federal Foreign Office urgently advises the Germans remaining in the Central African Republic to exercise particular caution, to follow the security situation in the media, to observe curfews and to avoid crowds.
The so-called Panther Hill (la Colline aux Panthères) in Bangui is a restricted military area and may not be entered without a permit.
MONEY
Currency
1 CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc * = 100 Centimes. Currency abbreviation: CFA Fr, XAF (ISO code). Banknotes are in circulation to the value of 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500 CFA Fr. There are coins in denominations of 500, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 CFA Fr.
Note: [*] Is issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (BEAC, State Bank of the Central African States) and used by Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Cameroon, Congo, Chad and the Central African Republic. The CFA Franc (XOF) issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (BCEAO, State Bank of West African States) is not legal tender in the Central African Republic. The CFA Franc is pegged to the Euro.
Credit cards
Are only accepted in some larger hotels. Details from the credit card issuer.
ATMs
ec / Maestro card / Sparcard
Attention: Travelers who pay abroad with their bank customer card and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.
Bank opening times
Mon-Fri 7.30am-11.30am.
Foreign exchange regulations
Unrestricted import of the national currency, export of only up to CHF 50,000.
Unlimited import of foreign currencies, obligation to declare from an equivalent value of CHF 25,000. Export of foreign currencies up to the amount of the declared import.
Currency Exchange
Possible in banks in Bangui and Berbérati. In some cases, US dollars can also be used to pay in cash. The redemption is associated with high losses.
LANGUAGE
Overview
The official language is French; Sangho is the lingua franca and the national language. Ubangi languages and Fulani serve as colloquial languages.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following items can be imported into the Central African Republic duty-free (people over 18 years of age):
1000 cigarettes / cigarillos or 250 cigars or 2 kg of tobacco (women are only allowed to import cigarettes);
5 bottles of alcoholic beverages;
5 bottles of perfume.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
In larger hotels there are sometimes translators and interpreters available, French language skills are necessary. Business cards should also be labeled in French. November to May is best for business travel.
Business hours: Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-3.30 p.m.
Economy
Chamber of Commerce de la République Centrafricaine
PO Box 252, Bangui
Business contacts
Chamber of Commerce de la République Centrafricaine
PO Box 252, Bangui
COMMUNICATION
Phone
Dial-up remote service.
Cellphone
GSM 900. Network operator is Telecel Centrafrique (Internet: www.telecel.com) and Nationlink Telecom RCA (Internet: http://nationlinks.info). The cellular network is limited to the capital Bangui.
Internet
Internet providers are Socatel (Internet: www.socatel.intnet.cf), Fateb and Bangui 2000.
Post Office
There is a post office in every prefecture, but post and telecommunications are still in the development stage and the local postal system is very unreliable. Airmail shipments to Europe take about a week, sometimes considerably longer. Poste restante items can only be sent to Bangui. Post office opening times: Mon-Fri 7.30 a.m.-11.30 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m., stamp sales: Sat 2.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m. and Sun 8 a.m.-11 a.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
Gold jewelry and ebony carvings. Handcrafted items can usually be obtained through barter in the villages outside the large towns. Shop opening times: Mon-Sat 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 4 p.m.-7 p.m. All shops are closed on Sundays, some also on Mondays. The Bangui market opens at 7:30 am and closes at nightfall.
NIGHTLIFE
Introduction
The few hotels in Bangui have expensive nightclubs for tourists and business people. The local nightlife is concentrated in the Kilometre Cinq district (see Destinations & Excursions).
CULINARY
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
Bangui hotels are of a high standard, some are very exclusive and expensive. The better hotels have air conditioning and swimming pools. Advance booking recommended. Outside of Bangui, good accommodations are hard to find; there are pensions in the small towns of Bangassou, Bambari and Bossangoa.
Camping
It is offered at the Center d’Accueil des Touristes at Kilometre Cinq. The necessary equipment and food should be brought with you.
CULTURE
Religion
35% followers of natural religions, 50% Christians, 15% Muslims.
Social rules of conduct
Casual wear is accepted; in Islamic areas one should observe the prevailing customs and traditions. It is considered impolite to show the soles of your feet while sitting. You shake hands in greeting. Especially during the fasting month of Ramadan one should neither drink nor smoke in public in predominantly Islamic areas. Photography: Films are expensive and should be developed in Europe. Military facilities and public buildings may not be photographed. One should always ask for permission before photographing locals. Tip: 10% is customary for all services.
CLIMATE
Best travel time
Hot all year round with a pronounced dry season. Monsoon rains occur in the south from May to October.
COUNTRY DATA
Area code +236 Area (sqkm) 622984 Population 5391539 Population density (per sqkm) 9 Population in 2015 Member of the EU No main emergency number 118
