bongos (striped antelope). Crocodiles
and hippopotamuses live in the rivers.
There are more than 80 ethnic groups in
the Central African Republic. Major
groups include the Gbaya, the Banda,
and the Mandjia. Sango is the most
commonly spoken language. Both Sango
and French are official languages. Most
of the people live in the south and the
west. Most people follow Christianity,
though many practice traditional African
religions or Islam.
Farming is the major economic activity
of the Central African Republic. Crops
include cassava, yams, peanuts, bananas,
and corn. The country also produces
wood, cotton, and coffee to sell to other
countries. Diamonds and gold are the
only minerals that the Central African
Republic produces.
Many peoples lived in this region for
thousands of years before Europeans
arrived. France gained control of the
area in the 1800s. In 1906 France
united the region with Chad to form a
colony named Ubangi-Shari-Chad. In
1910 the region became part of French
Equatorial Africa, which also included
Chad, Congo, and Gabon.
In 1960 the Central African Republic
declared independence from France.
Harsh dictators and the military ruled
until 1993, when the country held its
first democratic elections. Political
troubles continued into the 21st century,
however.
..More to explore
Bangui
Facts About
CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Population
(2008 estimate)
4,424,000
Area
240,324 sq mi
(622,436 sq km)
Capital
Bangui
Form of
government
Republic
Major cities
Bangui, Bimbo,
Berberati, Carnot,
Bambari, Bouar
BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA Central African Republic 73
Central America
Central America is a narrow strip of land
that lies at the southern end of North
America. It connects that continent with
South America. The region consists of
seven countries: Belize, Guatemala, El
Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa
Rica, and Panama.
Land and Climate
No place in Central America is more
than 125 miles (200 kilometers) from
the sea. The Pacific Ocean lies to the
southwest, and the Caribbean Sea lies to
the northeast.
The land is mostly mountainous and
rugged. The highest point in Central
America is the volcano Tajumulco in
Guatemala, near the border with
Mexico. It reaches 13,845 feet (4,220
meters).
Low-lying plains are found in the north,
along the coasts, and near Lake Nicaragua.
This lake is the largest body of
water in Central America.
Central America lies within the tropics,
or the warm areas near the equator. The
lowlands generally have hot weather.
The highlands are mild or cool. More
rain falls during the summer than in
winter. The Caribbean side is wetter
than the Pacific side.
Plants and Animals
Tropical rain forests grow in the lowlands
of eastern Central America. In the
highlands the forests include pines and
oaks. Cloud forests grow at elevations of
about 6,000 feet (1,800 meters). These
forests, which are nearly always dripping
wet, include evergreen oaks, laurels, and
orchids. Shrubs and low trees grow in
higher places.
Central America’s wild animals include
the jaguar, the ocelot, the puma, the
coyote, and the gray fox. A variety of
monkeys live in the forests. Among the
region’s birds are colorful parrots, bigbilled
toucans, and long-tailed quetzals.
People
About three fifths of the people have a
mixture of Amerindian (Native Ameri-
Capuchin monkeys live in some of the rain
forests of Central America.
74 Central America BRITANNICA STUDENT ENCYCLOPEDIA
can) and European ancestors. About one
fifth of Central Americans are fully
Amerindian. Smaller numbers of people
have mainly European, African, or Asian
roots.
Spanish is the official language of all
Central American countries except Belize.
In Belize English is the official language.
Many people speak Mayan and
other Amerindian languages, especially
in Guatemala.
Roman Catholic Christianity is the
main religion in Central America. Some
groups mix Christianity with Amerindian
religions.
Education is better in Panama and
Costa Rica than in Guatemala and other
northern countries. Medical care also
tends to be poorer in the north.
Economy
Central American countries grow several
crops to sell to outside countries. The
three most important crops are coffee,
bananas, and sugarcane. Many small
farmers grow corn, beans, and squash
for local markets.
Central American industries process
food, beverages, and tobacco. They also
produce clothing, shoes, drugs, chemicals,
cement, paper, and wood products.
Tourism and other services are also
important to the economies of Central
America.
History
Humans have lived in Central America
for thousands of years. Between 4000
and 1000 BC, groups of Amerindians
began to settle in certain places and farm
the land. Some of these people, called
the Maya, eventually built a great civilization.
Mayan culture reached its peak
between about AD 250 and 900.
European explorers arrived in Central
America in the 1500s. Spanish conquistadors,
or conquerors, soon took control
of the region. The Amerindian population,
weakened by new European diseases,
fell quickly.
Women in traditional dress gather in a busy
market in Guatemala.
Tourists climb the ruins of a Mayan temple
