Area:

623 000 km2

Population:

4 422 000 (2009)

Climate:

The country is characterized by a humid tropical climate, with a dry and a wet season. From North to South, there are three types of climate associated with rainfall: the Sudano-Sahelian climate, with rainfall lower than 800 mm in the extreme north, the Sudano-Guinean climate with an annual rainfall of 1000-1600 mm, and the Guinean forest-climate with an annual rainfall of 1600 to 1800 mm. The average temperature throughout the territory varies from 20 to 35°C.

Natural Resources:

The Central African forests cover about 40 million hectares and can be classified in dense humid forests, dry forests, savannas and shrublands. The hydrographic network is mainly composed of two basins that constitute real tanks for the countries of Central Africa. However, two major problems are identified: their volume reduction and degradation of the quality of surface water, especially the water of rivers, springs, ponds and wells that supply drinking water to over 60% of the population. The latter, because of poverty, lives mostly of natural resources.

Agriculture:

Agriculture remains the basis of the country’s economy. However, yields and agro products are unable to meet food needs. There are different agricultural sites: coffee in the South West and South Central areas, food-farming area in the savannah of the Central West zone, cotton-livestock in the savannahs of the Central East and Northwest zones, and the hunting and tourist area which covers the whole East of the country.

Climate Vulnerabilities:

Five sectors have been identified as the most vulnerable: agriculture, forestry, water resources, energy and health. To this list, the cross-cutting sector represented by natural disasters can be added. Regions with agro-forestry-pastoral vocation are exposed to lower rainfall, soil degradation, fires, droughts and seasonal diseases.

Source:

http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/napa/caf01f.pdf