What is the capital of the Central African Republic?

Bangui is the capital of the Central African Republic. It is also the country’s largest city and its main administrative, commercial and transport centre.

Bangui lies in the southwestern part of the country on the northern bank of the Ubangi River, near the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city began as a French colonial outpost in 1889. Its name is linked to the rapids on the Ubangi, which marked the end of navigable water north from Brazzaville.

Government ministries, the National Assembly, banks, embassies, hospitals and major markets are concentrated in Bangui. The city is also home to the University of Bangui, established in 1970, and Bangui M’Poko International Airport.

Bangui is sometimes confused with capitals elsewhere in the region. Kinshasa is the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Brazzaville is the capital of the Republic of the Congo, and Libreville is the capital of Gabon. Despite their geographic proximity, each belongs to a different country.