BANGUI

capital of the Central African Republic, on the west bank of the Ubangi River. The town is connected by an extended 1,100-mile (1,800-kilometre) river and rail transport system with Pointe-Noire, on the west-central African coast, and with Brazzaville (both in Congo). Industries in Bangui include soapmaking and breweries, but the town is mainly a commercial and administrative centre. The river port development includes a quay 1,300 feet (400 m) long and an oil port downstream. Cotton, timber, coffee, and sisal are shipped from the port. There is also ferry service to Zongo, Congo (Kinshasa), and a network of roads connecting Bangui with Cameroon, Chad, and the upper Central African Republic. Bangui is the site of the University of Bangui (1969), the National School of Arts (1966), several scientific and technological research institutes, the Boganda Museum, and the St. Paul Museum. Pop. (1988) 451,690; (1995 est.) 553,000.