|RNational holiday:|N Independence Day, August 13.
|RNature and climate:|N A highland plateau 600 m.a.s.l., mainly covered by savannah. In the east halfdesert and in the south rainforest.
Average temperature between 24°C and 28°C throughout the year.
Percipitation 800 mm in the north and 1800 mm in the south.
|RPeople:|N A mix of Sudan- and Bantunegroes. Biggest tribes are Banda 27%, Baya 34%, Mandja 21% and Sara 10%. In the southwest live some thousand Pygmys.
|REconomy:|N Agriculture occupies most of the population and coffee, cotton, tobacco and peanuts are exported.
Most important crops for domestic consumption are cassava, rice, maize, millet and durra.
Extensive forestry but poor transportation system obstructs export.
Big deposits of diamonds, uranium, oil, iron and copper, but only diamonds and uranium are extracted in great amounts. Diamonds are the most important exportgoods.
Fairly small manufacturing mainly producing food, textiles, cotton and leather, but also radiosets, bicycles and motorcycles.
|RHistory:|N Different Bantutribes nomaded through the area during centuries before the French gained control at the end of the 19th century.
Independent nation 1960 with David Dacko as president. He was ousted in a military coup 1966 and his cousin Bebel Bokassa was made president. In 1972 Bokassa proclaimed himself lifetime president and in 1976 emperor. He was crowned in a very luxurious act.
His rule was cruel and suppressing human rights and he was finally ousted in a coup with French support in 1979. Dacko was president again, but ousted in a new military coup 1981.
1975 and 1976 Elizabeth Domitien was prime minister, the first African woman in such an office.
