African Food and Art

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The Center of Africa, 26 Central African Republic Interesting Facts

The Center of Africa 26 Central African Republic Interesting Facts

Interesting Facts


Central African Republic

Learn Twenty-Six interesting facts about Africa’s Central African Republic's geography, history, climate, people, and the economy.




The Center of Africa, 26 Central African Republic Interesting Facts


Twenty-Six Interesting Central African Republic Facts


1. Official name République Centrafricaine.

2. The former French colony of Ubangi-Shari became the Central African Republic upon independence in 1960.

3. The Central African Republic is also sometimes referred to as C.A.R.
A U.S.-based advocacy group says 98 girls in Central African Republic reported they were sexually abused by international peacekeepers.
Central African Republic girls

4. Largest city and capital city is Bangui.

5. Population around 4.7 million.

6. Most of the country is savanna plateau, with rain forests in the south.

7. The Central African Republic is also well known for Harmattan winds. The Harmattan wind is strongest from November to March and is a very dry and very dusty trade wind that blows from the Atlantic Ocean across Africa.

8. CAR has no coastline and is a landlocked country almost in the precise center of Africa.

9. The Central African Republic is about 240,535 sq. miles in size.

10. CAR has one body of water, the Ubangi River, which eventually flows into the large Congo River.

20. Central African Republic is a possible hideout of Joseph Kony, the brutal leader of the Lord Resistance Army (LRA).
Central African Republic militia members
11. Median age, 19.5 years.

12. Life expectancy for men 48 years and women 51 years.

13. Ethnic Groups are Baya 33%, Banda 27%, Mandjia 13%, Sara 10%, Mboum 7%, M'Baka 4%, Yakoma 4%, Other 2%.

14. Religion are Indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant 25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%.

15. Area 622,984 sq km or 240,535 sq miles, The Central African Republic is the 45th-largest country in the world and is slightly smaller than the US state of Texas.

16. Major languages spoken are French, Sangho.

17. Currency Communaute Financiere Africaine (CFA).

18. Since gaining independence from France in 1960, four of its five presidents have been overthrown through hostile coups.

19. Despite natural resources, including gold, timber, diamonds and uranium, the Central African Republic is among the poorest nations in the world.
Children in Birao, Birao is located in Central African Republic
Children in Birao, Central African Republic 

20. CAR is a possible hideout of Joseph Kony, the brutal leader of the Lord Resistance Army.

21. Michel Am-Nondokro Djotodia was the first Muslim to hold the office of President in the mainly Christian country of The Central African Republic.

22. Republic form of government with two legislative houses.

23. The three most popular parks are Manovo-Gounda St Floris, known for its high concentration of hippos; Bamingui-Bangoran in the north; and Dzanga-Sangha in the southwest.

24. The Falls of Boali are a popular tourist destination.

25. Football (soccer), Basketball and Rugby the most popular sports.

26. Central African Republic athletes have participated in the Olympic Games since 1968.

Week’s Best African Culture Posts

Kru Tribe Fine Boy Tradition

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Dream-nightmare story from the Kru people of Liberia: the newly chosen Fine Boy is temporarily celebrated with fanfare and pleasure. Kru Tribe Fine Boy Tradition Fascinating stories emerged during the Pepper Coast's glory days. Beginning in the 15th century, European traders established outposts along the Liberian coastline, drawn by its wealth of humans, spices, and other commodities.  Centuries later, in the 19th century, the American Colonization Society (ACS) founded settlements in Liberia and began journalling native stories.  Among these tales is a dream-nightmare story from the Kru people of Liberia, a story so intriguing it almost seems too good to be true because, in some ways, it is.   The Kru women periodically held elections to select a young, handsome man as their “Fine Boy.” The announcement of his selection was celebrated with a vibrant procession featuring music, singing, and dancing.  The newly chosen Fine Boy was placed at the front of the para...
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What is the difference between ugali and fufu

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How to make the popular African recipes Ugali and Fufu and what is the difference.  Ugali is a starch dish in Kenya and Tanzania made of fine cornmeal cooked in boiling water into a soft dough. Fufu is a thick, dough-like West African food made by boiling then pounding a starchy vegetable such as yam, plantain, or cassava or a mixture of starchy vegetables. The main difference between fufu and ugali is fufu is boiled first then pounded while ugali is simply boiled. Ugali recipe. Easy Ugali Recipe Prep time 5 minutes Cook time 30 minutes Total time 30 minutes Ingredients 4 cups finely ground cornmeal 8 cups water Directions Heat water to boiling in a saucepan. Slowly pour cornmeal into boiling water stirring continuously. Add more cornmeal if necessary until it is thick as soft bread dough. Serve immediately with vegetables, stew, or any dish you would use a spoon with to soak up the sauce, ugali is purposely bland tasting on its own. What is the difference between ugali ...
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Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe

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Berbere Spice North African Popcorn Topping Recipe The best African spice for fresh popped popcorn is Berbere, a flavorful and aromatic bold spice blend from North Africa you buy at the local supermarket or online. Berbere is known for its bold mix of spices, often including chili peppers, garlic, ginger, fenugreek, cardamom, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves.  Berbere brings a balance of heat, sweetness, and earthy depth to any dish including fresh popped popcorn. The spice mix symbolizes community and hospitality, often prepared at home with slight variations to suit family preferences. Its fiery yet balanced flavor profile mirrors the complex and vibrant food of North African culture . In cities across Africa, popcorn is a common street snack and is often sold in cinemas, at markets, and by roadside vendors.  Berbere Spice Popcorn Topping Recipe Ingredients ½ cup poped popcorn kernels  2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 teaspoon Berbere spice blend   1 teaspoon salt ...
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Keto Moroccan Dinner Cooked Slowly

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Slow Cooked Moroccan Kefta Lamb Meatballs   Keto Tagine Morocco is at the geographic and cultural crossroads between Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.   In Morocco, the term tagine refers to a slow cooked stew as well as the pot the stew is made in. Kefta Tagine Kefta Tagine is a keto-friendly Moroccan lamb meatball food dish fitted for your low-carb lifestyle. The slow cooking of the meatballs allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a fragrant, hearty keto meal. The star of the Kefta Tagine dish is lamb, symbolizing the richness of Moroccan hospitality. Lamb meat has been a staple in North African cuisine for centuries, with lamb being central to celebrations and religious festivals.  Ground lamb meat is spiced and shaped into small balls, known as kefta, a preparation that dates back to ancient Berber traditions.  The kefta are seasoned with cumin, paprika, and coriander, spices that have shaped Morocco’s history in the global trading of spices whi...
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