Central African Republic Geography Profile 2012

Central African Republic, a landlocked country in equatorial Africa. It is bordered by Chad, Sudan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, and Cameroon. The area is 240,535 square miles (622,984 km2). Maximum dimensions are about 480 miles (770 km) north-south and 900 miles (1,450 km) east-west.

Plateaus make up most of the Central African Republic's terrain. Elevations are generally between 1,600 and 3,600 feet (490–1,100 m) above sea level. In a few areas they exceed 4,500 feet (1,370 m). The Ubangi River, a major tributary of the Congo, drains the southern and central parts of the country. Other rivers form part of the Chari River system, which drains northward into Lake Chad.

The climate is hot, but not oppressively humid as in the lowlands of equatorial Africa. Average monthly temperatures range between 70º and 90° F. (21° and 32° C.). Rainfall is abundant throughout most of the country and comes primarily from May through October. Amounts vary from about 70 inches (1,780 mm) in the extreme south to 30 inches (760 mm) in the far north. Virtually all of the country is covered by savannas or tropical rain forests. Wildlife abounds throughout the country. For many years, elephants were hunted here for their ivory, but since 1985 elephant hunting has been banned by the government.