African Culture African Art Paintings African Art Pictures African Art Sculptures African Animal Art African Tribal Art African Tribal Arts African Tribal Masks African Wildlife Art African Quilt Patterns South African Art South African Flag South African Food South African Music South African Pictures Traditional African Music West African Textiles African Baby Names African Beautiful Women African Ceremonial Masks African Grey Parrot African Sleeping Sickness African Violet Pots African Wild Dog African Wild Dogs Central African Republic South African Airlines South African Airways South African Art South African Beadwork South African Beadwork African Glass Beads African Trade Beads South African Flags Tribal African Mask Traditional African Art

Central African Republic

The Central African Republic is an African country, which is landlocked on all sides with countries like Cameroon, Chad, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo on its borders. It was under French rule until 1960, after which it was ruled by a series of presidents who often came to power by force and did little to benefit the country. Finally, in 1993, democratic elections were held with the help of the UN.

Rich Resources, Poor Country

The Central African Republic is listed as one of the least developed countries in the world, yet it holds a vast resource of natural resources like oil and diamonds. Today, the country is mainly an agricultural nation with over 50% of the gross domestic product coming from farming. Its main crops are cotton, coffee, tobacco, cassava, bananas yams and maize. The country itself is sparsely populated with only 650 kilometres of paved road and limited international air service. There are no domestic flights and railroads.

The Central African Republic has had very little if any economic development since it gained independence. This is due to a number of factors including political mismanagement and corruption. The country has a very poor infrastructure and a limited tax base and a number of adverse conditions have led to diminished private investment. In terms of facilities, the Central African Republic has an operational telephone system, four radio stations, one television station and one Internet service provider. Numerous newspapers are published regularly.

Despite its backward economic status and huge debt, the Central African Republic is also home to rich natural resources. A vast store of valuable minerals such as diamonds and gold not to mention fuel deposits like uranium and oil have been found in the country and are still largely unexploited. These resources are currently being developed, with diamonds making up 50% of the county's exports in 2002.

African American Culture Native American Culture Free Quilt Patterns
Quilting Question of the Week Quilt of the Month program
African Art
Fante of Ghana - Asafo Flags | Textiles & Symbols | Zulu Beadwork		 African American Art
Art & Contemporary | Historical | Traditional
Asian Culture
Chinese | Hmong | Indian | Japanese | Korean | Tibetan | Afghanistan		 Native American Culture
Hawaiians | Kuna of Panama (molas) | Mainland Tribes
Latin Culture / South American Culture Haitian Culture Aboriginal Culture
Australia / New Zealand
Baby Quilt | Antique Quilts | Art Quilting | Airplane Quilt | Antique Quilt | Cat Quilt | Fabric for Quilting | How to Quilt | Jean Quilt | Quilt Sets | Antique Quilts | Applique Machine Embroidery Designs | Chenille Quilt | Crazy Quilt | Crib Quilt | Denim Quilt | Feather Quilt | Free Applique Patterns | Horse Quilt | King Size Quilt | Online Quilt | Paper Piercing | Patchwork Quilt Patterns | Punch Needle | Quilt Art | Quilt Book | Quilt Fabric | Quilt Fabrics | Quilt Hangers | Quilting Fabric | Quilting Machine | Quilting Patterns | Quilting Quilt | Quilt Kits | Quilt Labels | Quilt Machine | Quilt Pattern | Quilt Patterns | Quilt Rack | Quilt Racks | Quilting Books | Paper Piecing Patterns | Quilting Tips and Techniques | Hand Quilting | Machine Quilting | Rotary Cutting | Quilt Bindings | Wedding Dress Quilts