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One bowl of fufu can explain a war. One proverb can outsmart a drought.

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For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

Trusted by: Wikipedia • Emory University African Studies • University of Kansas • University of KwaZulu-Natal • MDPI Scholarly Journals.
Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

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The Center of Africa, 26 Central African Republic Interesting Facts

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The Center of Africa 26 Central African Republic Interesting Facts

Interesting Facts


Central African Republic

Learn Twenty-Six interesting facts about Africa’s Central African Republic's geography, history, climate, people, and the economy.




The Center of Africa, 26 Central African Republic Interesting Facts


Twenty-Six Interesting Central African Republic Facts


1. Official name République Centrafricaine.

2. The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960.

3. The Central African Republic is also sometimes referred to as C.A.R.
A U.S.-based advocacy group says 98 girls in Central African Republic reported they were sexually abused by international peacekeepers.
Central African Republic girls

4. Largest city and capital city is Bangui.

5. Population around 4.7 million.

6. Most of the country is savanna plateau, with rain forests in the south.

7. The Central African Republic is also well known for Harmattan winds. The Harmattan wind is strongest from November to March and is a very dry and very dusty trade wind that blows from the Atlantic Ocean across Africa.

8. CAR has no coastline and is a landlocked country almost in the precise center of Africa.

9. The Central African Republic is about 240,535 sq. miles in size.

10. CAR has one body of water, the Ubangi River, which eventually flows into the large Congo River.

20. Central African Republic is a possible hideout of Joseph Kony, the brutal leader of the Lord Resistance Army (LRA).
Central African Republic militia members
11. Median age, 19.5 years.

12. Life expectancy for men 48 years and women 51 years.

13. Ethnic Groups are Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, Other 2%.

14. Religion are Indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%.

15. Area 622,984 sq km or 240,535 sq miles, The Central African Republic is the 45th-largest country in the world and is slightly smaller than the US state of Texas.

16. Major languages spoken are French, Sangho.

17. Currency Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA).

18. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, four of its five presidents have been overthrown through hostile coups.

19. Despite natural resources, including gold, timber, diamonds and uranium, the Central African Republic is among the poorest nations in the world.
Children in Birao, Birao is located in Central African Republic
Children in Birao, Central African Republic 

20. CAR is a possible hideout of Joseph Kony, the brutal leader of the Lord Resistance Army.

21. Michel Am-Nondokro Djotodia was the first Muslim to hold the office of President in the mainly Christian country of The Central African Republic.

22. Republic form of government with two legislative houses.

23. The three most popular parks are Manovo-Gounda St Floris, known for its high concentration of hippos; Bamingui-Bangoran in the north; and Dzanga-Sangha in the southwest.

24. The Falls of Boali are a popular tourist destination.

25. Football (soccer), Basketball and Rugby the most popular sports.

26. Central African Republic athletes have participated in the Olympic Games since 1968.

The African Gourmet explores how African food, history, and science intertwine. Here, a plant is a healer, a story is a map, and the kitchen is a laboratory. I’m Ivy — a writer raised by historians, now sharing Africa’s wisdom from the U.S. through cookbooks, cultural research, and storytelling. If you’re curious about where flavor meets memory, you belong here.

Recipes Explain Politics

When Rice Recipes Become Revolution

What if your grandmother's rice recipe could explain the Liberian Rice Riots of 1979?

"In Liberia, rice isn't just food—it's life, identity, and sovereignty. When the government proposed raising rice prices in 1979, they weren't just adjusting economics; they were threatening every grandmother's ability to feed her family according to traditions passed down for generations."

The riot that followed wasn't about politics—it was about the sacred right to cook your family's rice recipe.

The Deeper Recipe

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

This is African Gourmet analysis: understanding how the food in grandmother's pot connects to the protests in the streets. The recipes we inherit carry not just flavor, but the entire history of our political and economic struggles.

Read the Rice Riots Analysis → Try Liberian Rice Bread Recipe
Understanding Africa through the stories our food tells • Since 2006

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African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.