Central Africa.

GMT + 1.

622,984 sq km (240,535 sq miles).

3.9 million (UN estimate 2005).

6.2 per sq km.

Bangui. Population: 690,000.

The Central African Republic is bordered to the north by Chad, to the east by Sudan, to the south by the Democratic Republic of Congo and the Republic of Congo, and to the west by Cameroon. It is a large, landlocked territory of mostly uninhabited forest, bush and game reserves. The Chari River cuts through the centre from east to north; towards the Cameroon border the landscape rises to 2,000m (6,560ft) west of Bocaranga in the northwest corner, while the southwest has dense tropical rainforest. Most of the country is rolling or flat plateau covered with dry deciduous forest, except where it has been reduced to grass savannah or destroyed by bush fire. The northeast becomes desert scrubland and mountainous in parts.

Republic.

President François Bozizé since 2003.

Prime Minister Elie Doté since June 2005.

The two dominant figures in the country’s recent history have been André Kolingba, a former army commander who took over in 1981's military coup, and Ange-Félix Patassé, who later emerged as Kolingba’s principal opponent. During the 1980s, Kolingba consolidated his rule as leader of the country’s sole legal political party, Rassemblement Démocratique Centrafricain (RDC). In the early 1990s, as democracy swept through Francophone Africa, violent domestic protests and heavy French pressure forced Kolingba to concede the introduction of a multi-party system.

Patassé won the first election held under the new democratic constitution in 1993, defeating both Kolingba and Dacko. In December 1998, elections to the National Assembly returned the MLPC as the largest party but short of an absolute majority. In September the following year, Patassé and Kolingba once again competed for the presidency, and again Patassé won a comfortable victory. The last few years have seen a series of attempted coups by Kolingba and his principal supporter, army chief Francois Bozizé: first in May 2001, then in October 2002, and finally in March 2003. On the third occasion, Patassé was out of the country and, despite the intervention of French troops, the coup was successful and Bozizé proclaimed himself president.

Following a transitional period which led to presidential and parliamentary elections in May 2005, François Bozizé was elected as president. He chose Elie Doté as prime minister.

The government is a republic comprised of a strong executive branch (president, vice president, prime minister and council of ministers) and weak legislative and judicial branches. The National Assembly is made up of 109 members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms.

The national language is Sango, but French is the official administrative language and is essential for business. Another 68 languages and dialects have been identified in addition to these.

25% of the population is Protestant. 25% is Roman Catholic. There is a small Islamic minority of 15% and 35% of the population have indigeneous beliefs.

220 volts AC, 50Hz.

Dress is informal. Care should be taken to dress modestly in Muslim areas, and Muslim customs should be respected and observed; visitors should not, for instance, show the soles of their feet when sitting. Shorts are also generally frowned upon, and women are expected to dress modestly. It is customary to shake hands. Women are strictly segregated, especially in towns. In Muslim areas, visitors should not smoke or drink in public during Ramadan.

Photography: Film is expensive and should be sent abroad for developing. Show caution and discretion when photographing local people; ask for permission. Do not photograph military installations or government buildings.