Geography of the Central African Republic
 | This article needs more citations. (August 2016) |
The Central African Republic is a landlocked nation within the interior of the African continent. It is bordered by Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo. Much of the country consists of flat, or rolling plateau savanna, about 1,640 feet (500 m) above sea level. In the northeast are the Fertit Hills, and there are scattered hills in the southwestern part of the country. To the northwest is the Karre Mountains (also known as Yade Massif), a granite plateau with an altitude of 3,750 feet (1,143 m).
At 622,984 square kilometres (240,535 sq mi), the Central African Republic is the world's 45th-largest country (after Somalia). It is comparable in size to Ukraine.
Much of the southern border is formed by tributaries of the Congo River, with the Mbomou River in the east merging with the Uele River to form the Ubangi River. In the west, the Sangha River flows through part of the country. The eastern border lies along the edge of the Congo-Nile watershed.
In the Central African Republic forest cover is around 36% of the total land area, equivalent to 22,303,000 hectares (86,110 sq mi) of forest in 2020, down from 23,203,000 hectares (89,590 sq mi) in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 22,301,000 hectares (86,100 sq mi) and planted forest covered 2,000 hectares (7.7 sq mi). Of the naturally regenerating forest 9% was reported to be primary forest (consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity). For the year 2015, 91% of the forest area was reported to be under public ownership and 9% private ownership.[1][2] In 2021, the rate of deforestation in the Central African Republic increased by 71%.[3] The forest is highly diverse and includes commercially important species of Ayous, Sapele and Sipo.
Climate
[edit]
The climate of the Central African Republic is generally a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw), although there are areas with a tropical monsoon climate (Köppen Am) and in the north there is also a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh). There is a wet season and a dry season, and the temperature is hot throughout the year. The northern areas are subject to harmattan winds, which are hot, dry, and carry dust. The tip of the northern regions have been subject to desertification. The remainder of the country is prone to flooding from nearby rivers. About one third of the Central African Republic's population do not have access to clean water.
| Climate data for Bangui (381 metres or 1,250 feet), Central African Republic (1931–1955) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 37.2 (99.0) |
38.8 (101.8) |
39.5 (103.1) |
38.0 (100.4) |
38.6 (101.5) |
35.8 (96.4) |
34.3 (93.7) |
34.4 (93.9) |
35.9 (96.6) |
35.7 (96.3) |
36.7 (98.1) |
36.2 (97.2) |
39.5 (103.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 32.9 (91.2) |
33.9 (93.0) |
33.5 (92.3) |
32.9 (91.2) |
31.9 (89.4) |
30.9 (87.6) |
29.9 (85.8) |
29.9 (85.8) |
30.6 (87.1) |
30.7 (87.3) |
31.4 (88.5) |
31.8 (89.2) |
31.7 (89.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 26.0 (78.8) |
27.1 (80.8) |
27.4 (81.3) |
27.1 (80.8) |
26.5 (79.7) |
25.3 (77.5) |
25.1 (77.2) |
25.1 (77.2) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.5 (77.9) |
25.7 (78.3) |
25.7 (78.3) |
26.0 (78.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 19.5 (67.1) |
20.2 (68.4) |
21.3 (70.3) |
21.4 (70.5) |
21.1 (70.0) |
19.7 (67.5) |
20.3 (68.5) |
20.3 (68.5) |
20.2 (68.4) |
20.2 (68.4) |
20.0 (68.0) |
19.3 (66.7) |
20.3 (68.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 13.0 (55.4) |
13.1 (55.6) |
16.2 (61.2) |
14.4 (57.9) |
16.0 (60.8) |
16.5 (61.7) |
15.0 (59.0) |
17.0 (62.6) |
17.2 (63.0) |
17.3 (63.1) |
16.9 (62.4) |
13.8 (56.8) |
13.0 (55.4) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 20 (0.8) |
39 (1.5) |
116 (4.6) |
142 (5.6) |
167 (6.6) |
134 (5.3) |
174 (6.9) |
240 (9.4) |
185 (7.3) |
190 (7.5) |
89 (3.5) |
24 (0.9) |
1,520 (59.9) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 2 | 5 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 135 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 70 | 64 | 71 | 76 | 79 | 81 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 81 | 75 | 77 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 203 | 201 | 191 | 184 | 193 | 158 | 138 | 138 | 143 | 158 | 171 | 220 | 2,098 |
| Source 1: Deutscher Wetterdienst[4] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Danish Meteorological Institute (sun only)[5] |
| Climate data for Bossangoa (2000–2016) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 35.7 (96.3) |
37.5 (99.5) |
38.3 (100.9) |
36.3 (97.3) |
34.4 (93.9) |
32.4 (90.3) |
31.2 (88.2) |
30.9 (87.6) |
31.5 (88.7) |
32.7 (90.9) |
34.3 (93.7) |
34.9 (94.8) |
34.2 (93.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 25.1 (77.2) |
27.9 (82.2) |
29.8 (85.6) |
29.4 (84.9) |
28.5 (83.3) |
26.9 (80.4) |
26.1 (79.0) |
25.9 (78.6) |
26.2 (79.2) |
26.6 (79.9) |
26.7 (80.1) |
25.0 (77.0) |
27.0 (80.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 14.3 (57.7) |
18.4 (65.1) |
21.3 (70.3) |
22.5 (72.5) |
22.0 (71.6) |
21.4 (70.5) |
20.9 (69.6) |
20.9 (69.6) |
20.7 (69.3) |
20.6 (69.1) |
19.0 (66.2) |
15.0 (59.0) |
19.8 (67.5) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 1 (0.0) |
6 (0.2) |
47 (1.9) |
92 (3.6) |
141 (5.6) |
166 (6.5) |
234 (9.2) |
279 (11.0) |
240 (9.4) |
159 (6.3) |
22 (0.9) |
1 (0.0) |
1,388 (54.6) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 265 | 242 | 211 | 211 | 227 | 188 | 165 | 155 | 172 | 198 | 248 | 266 | 2,548 |
| Source 1: Normales et records pour la période 2000–2016 à Bossangoa ,[6] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Climate Bossangoa – Central African Republic for rainfall totals ,[7] Étude méthodologique pour l'utilisation des données climatologiques de l'Afrique tropicale for sunshine hours[8] |
| Climate data for N'Délé (2002–2013) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 36.5 (97.7) |
37.8 (100.0) |
38.5 (101.3) |
37.0 (98.6) |
34.6 (94.3) |
31.8 (89.2) |
30.4 (86.7) |
29.4 (84.9) |
30.5 (86.9) |
31.7 (89.1) |
33.3 (91.9) |
34.7 (94.5) |
33.9 (92.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 27.2 (81.0) |
29.4 (84.9) |
30.1 (86.2) |
30.0 (86.0) |
28.6 (83.5) |
26.7 (80.1) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.4 (77.7) |
25.9 (78.6) |
25.8 (78.4) |
25.1 (77.2) |
27.1 (80.8) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 18.0 (64.4) |
20.7 (69.3) |
21.3 (70.3) |
22.9 (73.2) |
22.6 (72.7) |
21.2 (70.2) |
20.7 (69.3) |
21.3 (70.3) |
20.4 (68.7) |
20.1 (68.2) |
18.5 (65.3) |
16.2 (61.2) |
20.3 (68.6) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0 (0) |
6 (0.2) |
24 (0.9) |
65 (2.6) |
122 (4.8) |
151 (5.9) |
205 (8.1) |
235 (9.3) |
231 (9.1) |
131 (5.2) |
9 (0.4) |
0 (0) |
1,179 (46.5) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 279 | 263 | 250 | 209 | 222 | 189 | 160 | 151 | 157 | 201 | 277 | 268 | 2,626 |
| Source 1: Normales et records pour la période 2002–2013 à N'Dele,[9] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Climate : N'Délé for rainfall totals,[10] Étude méthodologique pour l'utilisation des données climatologiques de l'Afrique tropicale for sunshine hours[11] |
| Climate data for Birao | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 34.7 (94.5) |
37.3 (99.1) |
39.4 (102.9) |
39.7 (103.5) |
37.9 (100.2) |
35 (95) |
31.4 (88.5) |
30.8 (87.4) |
32.1 (89.8) |
34.5 (94.1) |
35 (95) |
33.6 (92.5) |
35.1 (95.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 23.7 (74.7) |
26 (79) |
28.8 (83.8) |
30.4 (86.7) |
30.2 (86.4) |
28.3 (82.9) |
25.7 (78.3) |
25.3 (77.5) |
25.9 (78.6) |
26.5 (79.7) |
23.9 (75.0) |
22.5 (72.5) |
26.4 (79.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 12.7 (54.9) |
14.8 (58.6) |
18.3 (64.9) |
21.1 (70.0) |
22.5 (72.5) |
21.6 (70.9) |
20.1 (68.2) |
19.8 (67.6) |
19.7 (67.5) |
18.6 (65.5) |
12.8 (55.0) |
11.4 (52.5) |
17.8 (64.0) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0 (0) |
0 (0) |
1 (0.0) |
20 (0.8) |
67 (2.6) |
107 (4.2) |
189 (7.4) |
193 (7.6) |
146 (5.7) |
38 (1.5) |
1 (0.0) |
0 (0) |
762 (29.8) |
| Source: Climate-Data.org[12] |
Forests
[edit]Tree cover extent and loss
[edit]Global Forest Watch publishes annual estimates of tree cover loss and 2000 tree cover extent derived from time-series analysis of Landsat satellite imagery in the Global Forest Change dataset.[13][14][15][16] In this framework, tree cover refers to vegetation taller than 5 m (including natural forests and tree plantations), and tree cover loss is defined as the complete removal of tree cover canopy for a given year, regardless of cause.[17]
For the Central African Republic, country statistics report cumulative tree cover loss of 1,076,630 ha (10,766.3 km2) from 2001 to 2024 (about 2.3% of its 2000 tree cover area).[13] For tree cover density greater than 30%, country statistics report a 2000 tree cover extent of 47,073,506 ha (470,735.06 km2).[13] The charts and table below display this data. In simple terms, the annual loss number is the area where tree cover disappeared in that year, and the extent number shows what remains of the 2000 tree cover baseline after subtracting cumulative loss. Forest regrowth is not included in the dataset.[13][17]
Annual tree cover loss in the Central African Republic, 2001–2024.[13] View chart definition.
Tree cover extent in 2000 minus cumulative tree cover loss in the Central African Republic, 2001–2024 (loss-only residual; does not account for gain).[13] View chart definition.
| Year | Tree cover extent (km2)[a] | Annual tree cover loss (km2) |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 470,422.24 | 312.82 |
| 2002 | 470,078.06 | 344.18 |
| 2003 | 469,940.79 | 137.27 |
| 2004 | 469,794.91 | 145.88 |
| 2005 | 469,501.74 | 293.17 |
| 2006 | 468,922.91 | 578.83 |
| 2007 | 468,549.83 | 373.08 |
| 2008 | 468,231.23 | 318.60 |
| 2009 | 467,748.70 | 482.53 |
| 2010 | 467,263.16 | 485.54 |
| 2011 | 466,771.76 | 491.40 |
| 2012 | 466,198.61 | 573.15 |
| 2013 | 465,756.78 | 441.83 |
| 2014 | 465,178.26 | 578.52 |
| 2015 | 464,905.11 | 273.15 |
| 2016 | 464,393.58 | 511.53 |
| 2017 | 463,754.49 | 639.09 |
| 2018 | 463,345.36 | 409.13 |
| 2019 | 462,855.10 | 490.26 |
| 2020 | 462,303.73 | 551.37 |
| 2021 | 461,631.92 | 671.81 |
| 2022 | 461,121.63 | 510.29 |
| 2023 | 460,576.28 | 545.35 |
| 2024 | 459,968.76 | 607.52 |
Facts
[edit]
Location: Central Africa, north of Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Area comparative
- Slightly smaller than Somalia
- Slightly larger than Ukraine
- Australia comparative: slightly more than 3/4 the size of New South Wales
- Canada comparative: slightly smaller than Manitoba
- United Kingdom comparative: slightly more than 21/2 times the size of the United Kingdom
- United States comparative: approximately 1/10 smaller than Texas
- EU comparative: approximately 1/5 larger than Spain
- Land boundaries
-
- total:
- 5,920 kilometres or 3,679 miles
- total:
- border countries
- Cameroon 901 kilometres or 560 miles
- Chad 1,556 kilometres or 967 miles
- Democratic Republic of the Congo 1,747 kilometres or 1,086 miles
- Republic of the Congo 487 kilometres or 303 miles
- Sudan 174 kilometres or 108 miles
- South Sudan 1,055 kilometres or 656 miles
- Coastline
km (landlocked)
- Terrain
vast, flat to rolling, monotonous plateau; scattered hills in northeast and southwest
- Elevation extremes
- lowest point: Oubangui River 335 metres or 1,099 feet
- highest point: Mont Ngaoui 1,410 metres or 4,626 feet
- Land use (2012 est.)
-
- arable land: 2.89%
- permanent crops: 0.13%
- other: 96.98%
- Irrigated land (2003)
1.35 square kilometres or 0.52 square miles
- Total renewable water resources
144.4 cubic kilometres or 34.6 cubic miles (2011)
- Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)
- total:
- 0.07 cubic kilometres (0.02 mi3)/yr (83%/17%/1%)
- per capita:
- 17.42 cubic metres (615.18 cu ft)/yr (2005)
- total:
- Natural hazards
-
- hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas
- floods are common
- Environment — current issues
-
- tap water is not potable
- poaching has diminished its reputation as one of the last great wildlife refuges
- desertification
- Environment — international agreements
- party to:
- Biodiversity
- Climate Change
- Desertification
- Endangered Species
- Hazardous Wastes
- Nuclear Test Ban
- Ozone Layer Protection
- Tropical Timber 94
- Wetlands
- signed, but not ratified:
- party to:
- Geography — note
- landlocked; almost the precise center of Africa
Extreme points
[edit]This is a list of the extreme points of the Central African Republic, the points that are farther north, south, east or west than any other location.
- Northernmost point – unnamed location in the Aoukal river on the border with Chad, Vakaga Prefecture
- Easternmost point – unnamed location immediately East of the tripoint with South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and south of the town of Ezo in South Sudan, Haut-Mbomou Prefecture
- Southernmost point – the tripoint with Cameroon and the Republic of Congo, Sangha-Mbaéré Prefecture
- Westernmost point – unnamed location on the border with Cameroon west of the town of Koundé in Central African Republic near Cameroon's Lokoti to Garoua Boulai road, Nana-Mambéré Prefecture
Notes
[edit]- ↑ This residual measure does not include forest regrowth.
References
[edit]- ↑ Terms and Definitions FRA 2025 Forest Resources Assessment, Working Paper 194. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2023.
- ↑ "Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, Central African Republic". Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
- ↑ "Deforestation Surges in World's No. 2 Tropical Forest". Bloomberg. 10 November 2022.
- ↑ "Klimatafel von Bangui / Zentralafrikanische Rep" (PDF). Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
- ↑
"STATIONSNUMMER 64650" (PDF). Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Normales et records pour la période 2000–2016 à Bossangoa". Infoclimat. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ↑ "Climate Bossangoa – Central African Republic for rainfall totals". Infoclimat. Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ↑ "Étude méthodologique pour l'utilisation des données climatologiques de l'Afrique tropicale for sunshine hours""Étude méthodologique pour l'utilisation des données climatologiques de l'Afrique tropicale for sunshine hours" (PDF). Infoclimat. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ↑ "Normales et records pour la période 2002–2013 à N'Dele". Infoclimat. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ↑ "Climate : N'Délé for rainfall totals". Infoclimat. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ↑ "Étude méthodologique pour l'utilisation des données climatologiques de l'Afrique tropicale for sunshine hours""Étude méthodologique pour l'utilisation des données climatologiques de l'Afrique tropicale for sunshine hours" (PDF). Infoclimat. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ↑ "Climate: Birao". Climate-Data.org. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Central African Republic Deforestation Rates & Statistics". Global Forest Watch.
- ↑ Hansen, Matthew C.; Potapov, Peter V.; Moore, Rebecca; et al. (2013). "High-Resolution Global Maps of 21st-Century Forest Cover Change". Science. 342 (6160): 850–853. doi:10.1126/science.1244693.
- ↑ "Tree cover loss". Global Forest Watch Open Data Portal.
- ↑ "Tree cover (2000)". Global Forest Watch Open Data Portal.
- 1 2 "How much forest was lost in 2023?". Global Forest Review.
This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook (2025 ed.). CIA.
