1800s: Europeans first come to Central Africa in the search for slaves.

1889: The French establish an outpost on the current site of the capital, Bangui.

1910: Comes under full French rule as part of French Equitorial Africa, along with what are now known as Chad, the Congo, and Gabon.

1958: France grants the country internal self-rule. Independence is achieved on August 13, 1960.

1966: The government is overthrown by the military. The head of the army names himself king and changes the country's name to the Central African Empire.

1966: The government is overthrown by the military. In 1976 the head of the army names himself king and changes the country's name to the Central African Empire.

1979: The country's name is changed back to the Central African Republic.

C.A.R.
Central African Republic

Noun
People from the Central African Republic are called Central African(s).
Location
The C.A.R. is located in central Africa, north of Zaire.
Size
slightly smaller than Texas
Coastline
The C.A.R. has no coasts.
Terrain
The C.A.R. has a vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau with scattered hills in the northeast and southwest.
Climate
The C.A.R. is tropical with hot, dry winters and mild to hot, wet summers.
Land use
3% of the C.A.R. is fertile and can be used to grow crops.
0% of the land is used for permanent crops.
5% is taken up by pastures and meadows.
64% of the land is made up of forests.
28% is left over for other uses.
Capital
Bangui, which is home to about 500,000 people, is the C.A.R.'s capital (1984 estimate).
Independence
On August 13, 1960 the C.A.R. gained independence from France.
National holiday
National Day, December 1 (1958)
Languages
French is the official language, but Sangho is the national language. Some people speak Arabic, Hunsa, and Swahili.
Population
Over 3 million (1996 est.)
Age
44% of all Central Africans are between 0-14 years of age.
52% of the population is between 15-64 years old.
The remaining 4% are 65 years and over.
Life expectancy at birth
Male Central Africans are expected to live to be 45.
Female Central Africans are expected to live to be 46.
Total fertility rate
Women have an average of 5 children each.
Ethnic divisions
Baya 34%, Banda 27%, Sara 10%, Mandjia 21%, Mboum 4%, M'Baka 4%, Europeans 6,500 (including 3,600 French)
Religions
indigenous beliefs 24%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, other 11%
Literacy
60% of all Central Africans are literate.
68% of males can read and write.
52% of females can read and write.