Tag Archives: Central African Republic

According to allcountrylist, the Central African Republic (CAR) has a largely agrarian economy, with agriculture representing almost 40% of the country’s GDP. This sector is mainly composed of subsistence farming and small-scale commercial crops such as coffee, cotton, cassava, peanuts, and sugarcane. The majority of CAR’s population relies on subsistence farming for their livelihoods and agricultural production is mainly used for domestic consumption rather than export. Additionally, there is also some livestock rearing in CAR which includes raising cattle, goats and sheep for meat or milk production. Mining is another important economic sector in CAR which accounts for around 10% of the country’s GDP. This industry mainly involves the extraction of diamonds from alluvial deposits found near rivers and streams as well as gold from underground sites located in the northern regions of the country. Other minerals present in CAR include iron ore, copper, uranium and zinc although these are not currently being mined due to lack of infrastructure and investment. The manufacturing sector makes up an estimated 5% of CAR’s GDP with activities ranging from food processing to textiles to construction materials production. Most manufactured goods are used domestically rather than exported abroad due to weak local demand and limited international trade opportunities. The service sector accounts for around 45% of CAR’s GDP with activities ranging from banking services to telecommunications to transportation services providing employment opportunities across the country. There is also a large informal economy in CAR which comprises activities such as street vending, bartering and other informal trading activities that are not captured by official statistics but still play an important role in providing income opportunities for many people across the nation. Finally, tourism is another key economic activity in CAR although its contribution to total GDP is relatively small at around 4%. Tourist attractions include national parks such as Dzanga-Ndoki National Park which houses wildlife species such as elephants or lowland gorillas; historical sites such as Ouanda Djalle National Park featuring ancient rock art dating back thousands of years; or cultural sites like Bangui Cathedral located on a hill overlooking the capital city Bangui offering visitors stunning views over the cityscape below it. The Central African Republic (CAR) has a long and diverse history of agricultural production that has been shaped by the many different people, cultures, and climates that have called it home over the centuries. The earliest evidence of agricultural activity in the CAR dates back to at least 8,000 years ago, when hunter-gatherers were cultivating various crops such as sorghum, millet, and yams. From the 15th century onwards, the Kingdom of Kongo was one of the most powerful states in Central Africa and it introduced several new crops to the region. These included maize (corn), sweet potatoes, cassava (manioc), peanuts (groundnuts), cotton, and tobacco. As more Europeans settled in Central Africa during this period they also brought with them new crops such as coffee and cocoa. In 1885, France formally colonized what is now known as the Central African Republic and began to develop a system of large-scale commercial agriculture. This included plantations producing coffee, cocoa, cotton, rubber, palm oil and other cash crops for export to Europe. Small-scale farmers were also encouraged to grow food crops such as rice for domestic consumption. Following independence in 1960 there was an effort to modernize agriculture in CAR with new technologies such as chemical fertilizers and improved seeds being introduced by international organizations such as FAO. However this effort was hampered by political instability which persisted throughout much of the 20th century. Today agriculture remains an important part of life in CAR; over 80% of its population relies on subsistence farming for their livelihoods while only 10% are engaged in commercial agriculture activities. Crops grown include cassava (manioc), maize (corn), millet, sorghum beans groundnuts peanuts sesame sunflower oil palm trees fruits vegetables coffee cocoa cotton tobacco rubber timber wood charcoal wood fuel medicinal plants timber products fish honey bees wax beeswax gum arabic tea herbs spices vegetables fruits nuts cereals grains pulses legumes oilseeds animal feed fodder spices medicines cosmetics perfumes soaps detergents essential oils paper dyes leather hides tannins textiles yarns fabrics handicrafts jewelry pottery glassware sculptures furniture carpets rugs mats bricks tiles ceramics pottery glassware sculptures furniture carpets rugs mats bricks tiles ceramics etc., while livestock includes sheep goats pigs cattle poultry horses donkeys mules camels etc.. The country’s main exports are cotton timber gold diamonds diamonds coltan uranium minerals ores ore concentrates iron ore manganese ore chromite ore cobalt ore tantalite ore tin ores tungsten ores etc.. See itypeusa for Central African Republic State Overview.