Changes

*Religions: Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, indigenous beliefs 35%.

*Religions: Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%, indigenous beliefs 35%.

*Languages: Sangho (official), Sangho (national).  

*Languages: Sangho (official), Sangho (national).  

*Education: Years compulsory--6. Enrollment--primary school 75%. Literacy--50%.  

*Education: Years compulsory—6. Enrollment—primary school 75%. Literacy—50%.  

*Health: Infant mortality rate--115 deaths/1,000. Life expectancy--avg. 43 yrs.  

*Health: Infant mortality rate—115 deaths/1,000. Life expectancy—avg. 43 yrs.  

*Work force (approx. 53% of pop.): Agriculture--75%; industry--6%; commerce and services--4%; government--15%.  

*Work force (approx. 53% of pop.): Agriculture—75%; industry—6%; commerce and services—4%; government—15%.  

==Government and Political Conditions==

==Government and Political Conditions==

===Principal Government Officials===

===Principal Government Officials===

*President of the Republic, Head of State--Catherine Samba-Panza

*President of the Republic, Head of State—Catherine Samba-Panza

*Prime Minister--Mahamat Kamoun

*Prime Minister—Mahamat Kamoun

*State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Francophony--Mr. Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE

*State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and Francophony—Mr. Jean-Paul NGOUPANDE

*Minister of Finance and Budget--Mr. Théodore DABANGA

*Minister of Finance and Budget—Mr. Théodore DABANGA

*Ambassador to the United States--Emmanuel Touaboy

*Ambassador to the United States—Emmanuel Touaboy

*Ambassador to the United Nations--Fernand Poukre-Kono

*Ambassador to the United Nations—Fernand Poukre-Kono

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

The Central African Republic is an active member in several Central African organizations, including the Economic and Monetary Union (CEMAC), the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) Central African Peace and Security Council (COPAX--still under formation), and the Central Bank of Central African States (BEAC). Standardization of tax, customs, and security arrangements between the Central African states is a major foreign policy objective of the C.A.R. Government. The C.A.R. is a participant in the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), and the Organization of African Unity (OAU--now the African Union). Libya and, to a lesser degree, Sudan have shown increased interest in cooperation with the C.A.R. over the last year.  

The Central African Republic is an active member in several Central African organizations, including the Economic and Monetary Union (CEMAC), the Economic Community of Central African States (CEEAC) Central African Peace and Security Council (COPAX—still under formation), and the Central Bank of Central African States (BEAC). Standardization of tax, customs, and security arrangements between the Central African states is a major foreign policy objective of the C.A.R. Government. The C.A.R. is a participant in the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), and the Organization of African Unity (OAU—now the African Union). Libya and, to a lesser degree, Sudan have shown increased interest in cooperation with the C.A.R. over the last year.  

Outside of Africa, the C.A.R. maintains fairly close ties to France, albeit considerably reduced from previous years. In the late 1990s, France withdrew forces stationed in the C.A.R.; drops in its external assistance budget have reduced French military and social development aid to the country. Other multilateral organizations--including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, UN agencies, European Union, and the African Development Bank--and bilateral donors--including Germany, Japan, the European Union, China, and the United States--are significant development partners for the C.A.R.  

Outside of Africa, the C.A.R. maintains fairly close ties to France, albeit considerably reduced from previous years. In the late 1990s, France withdrew forces stationed in the C.A.R.; drops in its external assistance budget have reduced French military and social development aid to the country. Other multilateral organizations—including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, UN agencies, European Union, and the African Development Bank—and bilateral donors—including Germany, Japan, the European Union, China, and the United States—are significant development partners for the C.A.R.  

Seventeen countries have resident diplomatic or consular representatives in Bangui, and the C.A.R. maintains approximately the same number of missions abroad. Since early 1989 the government recognizes both Israel and the Palestinian state. The C.A.R. also maintains diplomatic relations with China. The C.A.R. generally joins other African and developing country states in consensus positions on major policy issues.  

Seventeen countries have resident diplomatic or consular representatives in Bangui, and the C.A.R. maintains approximately the same number of missions abroad. Since early 1989 the government recognizes both Israel and the Palestinian state. The C.A.R. also maintains diplomatic relations with China. The C.A.R. generally joins other African and developing country states in consensus positions on major policy issues.  

*Avg. inflation rate: 4.2% (2003); 3.2 (2004 est.).

*Avg. inflation rate: 4.2% (2003); 3.2 (2004 est.).

*Natural resources: Diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil.

*Natural resources: Diamonds, uranium, timber, gold, oil.

*Agriculture (2002, 54.8% of GDP): Products--Timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, foodcrops, livestock. Cultivated land--unavailable.

*Agriculture (2002, 54.8% of GDP): Products—Timber, cotton, coffee, tobacco, foodcrops, livestock. Cultivated land—unavailable.

*Industry (2002, 21.6% of GDP): Types--Diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles, and soap.  

*Industry (2002, 21.6% of GDP): Types—Diamond mining, sawmills, breweries, textiles, footwear, assembly of bicycles and motorcycles, and soap.  

*Services (2002): 23.6% of GDP.

*Services (2002): 23.6% of GDP.

*Trade (2004): Exports--$161 million; diamonds, coffee, cotton, timber, tobacco. Major markets--Belgium, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Egypt, Spain, and Cote d'Ivoire. Imports--$119 million; food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products. Major suppliers--France, United States, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Germany, Japan.

*Trade (2004): Exports--$161 million; diamonds, coffee, cotton, timber, tobacco. Major markets—Belgium, Italy, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Egypt, Spain, and Cote d'Ivoire. Imports--$119 million; food, textiles, petroleum products, machinery, electrical equipment, motor vehicles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, industrial products. Major suppliers—France, United States, Cote d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Germany, Japan.

*Central government budget (2002): $226 million.

*Central government budget (2002): $226 million.

*Defense (2002, 2.4% of budget): $5.4 million.

*Defense (2002, 2.4% of budget): $5.4 million.