| a republic in central Africa: a member of the French Community. 3,342,051; 238,000 sq. mi. (616,420 sq. km). Capital: Bangui. |
Cen·tral African Republic  (sěn'trəl)   (click for larger image in new window) A country of central Africa. Part of French Equatorial Africa after the 1890s, it became independent in 1960. In 1966 Col. Jean-Bédel Bokassa overthrew the government and later declared himself emperor, and from 1976 to 1979 the country was called the Central African Empire. Following further political instability in the 1980s, a civilian government was restored in 1993. Bangui is the capital and the largest city. Population: 4,370,000. |