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Central Africa Countries and Capitals

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Central Africa is a region located in the heart of the African continent, comprising 7 countries. The countries in Central Africa include Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo (Republic of the Congo), Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon.

Cameroon

Country Overview:

Cameroon is situated in Central Africa, covering an area of approximately 475,442 square kilometers. It shares borders with Nigeria to the west, Chad to the northeast, the Central African Republic to the east, and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon is famous for its cultural diversity, including over 250 ethnic groups, its stunning natural landscapes, including Mount Cameroon and the Waza National Park, and its vibrant music and dance traditions.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: January 1, 1960 (from France), October 1, 1961 (from the United Kingdom)
  • Population: Approximately 27 million
  • Capital City: Yaoundé
  • Language: French, English
  • Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
  • Time Zone: West Africa Time (UTC+1)
  • Country Area Code: +237
  • Top-Level Domain: .cm
  • ISO Country Codes: CM, CMR

Central African Republic

Country Overview:

The Central African Republic (CAR) is located in Central Africa, covering an area of approximately 622,984 square kilometers. It is bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan to the northeast, South Sudan to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south, the Republic of the Congo to the southwest, and Cameroon to the west. The Central African Republic is famous for its rich biodiversity, including national parks like Manovo-Gounda St. Floris National Park, its traditional handicrafts, and its diverse indigenous cultures.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: August 13, 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 5 million
  • Capital City: Bangui
  • Language: French, Sango
  • Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
  • Time Zone: West Africa Time (UTC+1)
  • Country Area Code: +236
  • Top-Level Domain: .cf
  • ISO Country Codes: CF, CAF

Chad

Country Overview:

Chad is situated in Central Africa, covering an area of approximately 1,284,000 square kilometers. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west. Chad is known for its diverse landscapes, including the Sahara Desert in the north and the lush savannahs in the south, its rich cultural heritage, and its traditional music and dance.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: August 11, 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 16 million
  • Capital City: N’Djamena
  • Language: French, Arabic
  • Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
  • Time Zone: West Africa Time (UTC+1)
  • Country Area Code: +235
  • Top-Level Domain: .td
  • ISO Country Codes: TD, TCD

Congo (Republic of the Congo)

Country Overview:

The Republic of the Congo, often referred to as Congo-Brazzaville, is located in Central Africa, covering an area of approximately 342,000 square kilometers. It is bordered by Gabon to the west, Cameroon and the Central African Republic to the north, the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and Angola’s exclave of Cabinda to the southwest. The Republic of the Congo is famous for its lush rainforests, wildlife reserves like Odzala-Kokoua National Park, and its vibrant music and dance traditions.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: August 15, 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 5.4 million
  • Capital City: Brazzaville
  • Language: French, Lingala
  • Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
  • Time Zone: West Africa Time (UTC+1)
  • Country Area Code: +242
  • Top-Level Domain: .cg
  • ISO Country Codes: CG, COG

Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Country Overview:

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), often referred to as Congo-Kinshasa, is the largest country in Central Africa, covering an area of approximately 2,344,858 square kilometers. It is bordered by the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania to the east, Zambia and Angola to the south, the Republic of the Congo to the west, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest. The DRC is famous for its vast rainforests, including the Congo Basin, the second-largest tropical rainforest in the world, and its diverse wildlife, including mountain gorillas in Virunga National Park.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: June 30, 1960 (from Belgium)
  • Population: Approximately 101 million
  • Capital City: Kinshasa
  • Language: French, Lingala, Swahili
  • Currency: Congolese Franc (CDF)
  • Time Zone: West Africa Time (UTC+1) to Central Africa Time (UTC+2)
  • Country Area Code: +243
  • Top-Level Domain: .cd
  • ISO Country Codes: CD, COD

Equatorial Guinea

Country Overview:

Equatorial Guinea is located in Central Africa, covering an area of approximately 28,051 square kilometers. It consists of a mainland region called Río Muni and several islands, including Bioko (home to the capital city) and Annobón. Equatorial Guinea is bordered by Cameroon to the north and Gabon to the south and east. The country is famous for its rich biodiversity, including the Monte Alen National Park, its oil reserves, and its cultural festivals like the Fang-Ntumu celebrations.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: October 12, 1968 (from Spain)
  • Population: Approximately 1.5 million
  • Capital City: Malabo
  • Language: Spanish, French, Portuguese
  • Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
  • Time Zone: West Africa Time (UTC+1)
  • Country Area Code: +240
  • Top-Level Domain: .gq
  • ISO Country Codes: GQ, GNQ

Gabon

Country Overview:

Gabon is situated in Central Africa, covering an area of approximately 267,667 square kilometers. It is bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, the Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Gabon is famous for its pristine rainforests, diverse wildlife, including forest elephants and lowland gorillas, and its efforts to preserve its natural heritage through national parks like Loango National Park.

Country Facts:

  • Year of Independence: August 17, 1960 (from France)
  • Population: Approximately 2.2 million
  • Capital City: Libreville
  • Language: French
  • Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
  • Time Zone: West Africa Time (UTC+1)
  • Country Area Code: +241
  • Top-Level Domain: .ga
  • ISO Country Codes: GA, GAB

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