26 Facts About Bangui

Bangui is the capital and largest city of the Central African Republic.

Archaeological studies in and around Bangui have yielded at least 26 ancient Iron Age sites that contain many metallurgical tools and objects, illuminating the pre-European history of the city and surrounding area.

The site closest to Bangui is Pendere-Sengue, 800 metres from Independence Avenue, where archaeologists and conservation agencies have carried out studies.

Bangui was founded by Albert Dolisie and Alfred Uzac on 26 June 1889, in what was then the upper reaches of the French Congo, the present-day Congo.

The initial capitals of these areas were at les Abiras and Fort de Possel further upstream, but the rapids at Bangui blocked them from direct communication along the river and caused the settlement there to grow in importance until, in 1906, it was chosen as the new headquarters for the French administration.

Related searches

Bangui retained its importance as a military and administrative centre when the colony was folded into French Equatorial Africa and under both Vichy and Free French control during World War II.

The French operated a radio transmitter in Bangui, which was described in 1932 as "the most remote radio station in Africa".

Bangui established the national airline Air Centrafrique the following year and ordered the construction of two new luxury hotels in Bangui.

In March 1981, widespread violence took place in Bangui following elections, after Operation Caban led the French to drop Bokassa, and replaced him with David Dacko.

Bangui's successor was General Andre Kolingba, army chief of staff of Dacko's army, who took over control from the local French military on 1 September 1981 under the pretext that the country was heading towards civil war.

In May 1996, about 200 soldiers of the Central African Republic mutinied in Bangui, demanding salary increases and the abdication of Ange-Felix Patasse.

On 25 October 2002, several towns in the country and later Bangui itself were attacked by the forces of General Francois Bozize, backed with international support.

The navigable Ubangi River, with the backdrop of lush green hills, turns sharply south below Bangui and connects to the Congo River just south of the equator near Brazzaville as its chief northern tributary.

Concurrently, Bangui became the key centre for social and cultural activity in the region, when new institutions were established in the city.

Bangui received its first bank in 1946 when a branch of the Bank of West Africa was established there.

Bangui manufactures include textiles, food products, beer, shoes, and soap.

Old town of Bangui has retained its colonial town planning with wide boulevards leading towards central market square.

Attractions in Bangui include Boganda Museum, Bangui Zoo, and the Presidential Palace, formerly the Bokassa Palace.

Cuisine of CAR is referred to as Centrafrican and the staple diet in Bangui includes cassava, rice, squash, pumpkins and plantains served with a sauce and grilled meat.

The crafts center in Bangui provides training to about 100 students in artistic crafting in leather, ivory and ebony wares.

Bangui has a rich music tradition and showcases the country's music.

Bokassa, during his tenure as president, established a music recording studio in Bangui and employed musicians to sing his praise with songs extolling his qualities as an emperor and to develop his cult image among his people.

Bangui hosted the FIBA Africa Championship 1974, where the Central African Republic's national basketball team won one of its two continental titles.

Bangui is home to the University of Bangui, founded in 1969 by President Jean-Bedel Bokassa who named it after himself; it started functioning in 1970.

Bangui is the transport hub of the Central African Republic.

Related searches

The Bangui definition proved problematic as immune suppression can be caused by malnutrition.