Geography

The Central African Republic is an entirely land-locked nation within the interior of the African continent. Much of the country consists of flat or rolling plateau savanna, typically about 1,640 feet (500 m) above sea level. In the northeast are the Fertit Hills, and there are scattered hills in southwest part of the country. To the northwest is the Yade Massif, a granite plateau with an altitude of 3,750 feet (1,143 m).

At 622,984 km sq, the Central African Republic is the world's 43rd-largest country (after Somalia). It is nearly five times the size of England.

Much of the southern border is formed by tributaries of the Congo River, with the Mbomou River in the east merging with the Uele River to form the Ubangi River. In the west, the Sangha River flows through part of the country. The eastern border lies along the edge of the Nile river watershed.

Estimates of the amount of the country covered by forest ranges up to 75%, with the densest parts in the south. The forest is highly diverse, and includes commercially important species of Ayous, Sapelli and Sipo. The current deforestation rate is 0.4% per annum, and lumber poaching is commonplace.