Central African Republic: map, flag, capital and key facts
The Central African Republic is a country in Africa, with about 5.51 million people (2025) and an area of 622,980 square kilometres. Its capital is Bangui, and it shares land borders with 6 countries.
By Team Geography·Last reviewed
Flag of the Central African RepublicThe Central African Republic in solid, land neighbours outlined, capital marked.
The app teaches each country through short hand written lenses: PLACE for physical geography, STORY for history and identity, NOW for the news, and THREAD for the ties between countries. Here is one of the Central African Republic's 5, in full.
PLACELens 1 of 5
Landlocked at the center of the continent
The Central African Republic is landlocked at the geographic center of the continent: Chad to the north, Sudan and South Sudan to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo to the south, Cameroon to the west. The Ubangi River forms much of the southern border and carries most trade to the outside world, flowing into the Congo River system. Equatorial forest covers the south; the north dries into savanna edging toward the Sahel.
More on Ubangi River
A major tributary of the Congo River. Bangui, the capital, sits on its banks, and river barges remain one of the few reliable ways to move goods in a country with minimal road infrastructure.
4 more lenses on the Central African Republic in the app
STORY A state that barely reaches its own borders
NOW Rich soil, rich subsoil, persistent poverty
STORY Sango, the language that holds the country together
THREAD Where French influence, Russian mercenaries, and UN peacekeepers converge
Titles only. The app brings each lens back on a spaced repetition schedule set by how well you knew it: New, Hazy or Clear.
Compare the Central African Republic with another country
Opens the country comparison tool with population, area, income and more side by side, every figure dated.
Common questions
What is the capital of the Central African Republic?
The capital of the Central African Republic is Bangui. Bangui lies at about 4.4 degrees north and 18.6 degrees east. The Central African Republic is in Africa. It is home to about 5.51 million people. The world capitals quiz on this site tests every capital, and the printable capitals sheets cover each continent.
What is the population of the Central African Republic?
About 5.51 million people live in the Central African Republic, according to the World Bank figures for 2025. That makes it the 118th most populous of the 195 countries. With an area of 622,980 square kilometres, that is about 8.8 people per square kilometre.
What countries border the Central African Republic?
The Central African Republic shares land borders with 6 countries: Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Sudan. The map on this page outlines each of them around the Central African Republic. The count includes only borders on land, not neighbours across a sea or a lake.
How big is the Central African Republic?
The Central African Republic covers 622,980 square kilometres, or about 240,534 square miles. That makes it the 44th largest of the 195 countries. The figure is total surface area, which includes inland water such as lakes and rivers. Its population of about 5.51 million gives a density of 8.8 people per square kilometre.
The Central African Republic is a country in Africa, with about 5.51 million people (2025) and an area of 622,980 square kilometres. Its capital is Bangui, and it shares land borders with 6 countries.
Capital
Bangui
Continent
Africa
Population
5,513,282 2025, World Bank. 118th of 195.
Area
622,980 km² (240,534 sq mi) World Bank, surface area. 44th largest of 195.
Population density
8.8 people per km²
Land neighbours
6: Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Sudan
UN status
Member state
PLACE · from the Geography app
Landlocked at the center of the continent
The Central African Republic is landlocked at the geographic center of the continent: Chad to the north, Sudan and South Sudan to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo to the south, Cameroon to the west. The Ubangi River forms much of the southern border and carries most trade to the outside world, flowing into the Congo River system. Equatorial forest covers the south; the north dries into savanna edging toward the Sahel.
Keep going on your iPhone. Scan for Geography: the world, one country at a time, about five minutes a day. No quizzes and no streaks. playgeography.app/countries/central-african-republic/ · Map data: Natural Earth. Figures: World Bank and national sources, as listed on the page.
Geography · Country report
Central African Republic
NameDate
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Colour the Central African Republic on the map, then fill in what you find.
Capital
Continent
Population
Area
Languages
Currency
Neighbours
Landmarks
Rivers or mountains
Three things I learned
1
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One question I still have
?
Keep going on your iPhone. Scan for Geography: the world, one country at a time, about five minutes a day. No quizzes and no streaks. playgeography.app/countries/central-african-republic/ · Map data: Natural Earth. Figures: World Bank and national sources, as listed on the page.
CameroonYaounde
ChadN'Djamena
Democratic Republic of the CongoKinshasa
Republic of the CongoBrazzaville
South SudanJuba
SudanKhartoum