Central African Empire

Infobox Former Country
native_name = Empire Centrafricain
conventional_long_name = Central African Empire
common_name = Central African Empire
continent = Africa
region = Central Africa
country = Central African Republic
government_type = Monarchy|
event_start =
year_start = 1976
date_start = December 4
event_end =
year_end = 1979
date_end = September 20
p1 = Central African Republic
flag_p1 = Flag of the Central African Republic.svg
s1 = Central African Republic
flag_s1 = Flag of the Central African Republic.svg

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image_map_caption = Location of the Central African Empire|
capital = Bangui
national_motto =
national_anthem =
common_languages = French
religion = Protestant, Catholic, Sunni Islam
currency = Franc|
leader1 = Bokassa I
year_leader1 = 1976-1979
title_leader = Emperor
deputy1 = Ange-Félix Patassé
year_deputy1 = 1976-1978
deputy2 = Henri Maïdou
year_deputy2 = 1978-1979
title_deputy = Prime minister
footnotes =

The Central African Empire ( _fr. Empire Centrafricain) was the name of the short-lived, self-declared autocratic monarchy that replaced the Central African Republic and was, in turn, replaced by the restoration of the republic. The Empire was formed when Jean-Bédel Bokassa, President of the republic, declared himself Emperor Bokassa I on December 4, 1976. Bokassa spent the equivalent of over 20 million United States dollars, a quarter of the country's annual income, on his coronation ceremony. The monarchy was abolished and the name "Central African Republic" was restored in September 20, 1979 when Bokassa was ousted in a French-backed coup d'état.

Throughout the Empire's history the national flag remained unaltered, although there was an imperial flag for Bokassa's personal use.

Postage stamps

The national postage stamps of the Empire, except the ones with Bokassa on them, had nothing to do with Central Africa, or Africa at all, instead presenting writers (such as Luigi Pirandello, Jules Verne and Ernest Hemingway), mathematicians (such as Albert Einstein), and even Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor from 1508-1519.

Moreover, it was asserted that many of these stamps were not truly needed for internal or international postage, and were mainly issued for sale to collectors and generating foreign currency income. Fact|date=June 2008

Imperial currency

The currency of the Empire was almost the same as that of the previous state , replacing the text "Republique Centrafricaine," with "Empire Centrafricain".

ee also

* Saint-Sylvestre coup d’état

External links

* [http://daria.no/skole/doc/html/1784.doc-filer/image005.jpgThe Imperial Palace]
* [http://jv.gilead.org.il/stamps/afric79.html Jules Verne Stamp]
* [http://readliterature.com/stamps/P/images/Pirandello1977CF.jpgLuigi Pirandello stamp]
* [http://www.linns.com/howto/refresher/africa_20050620/rc5_0620_big.jpgImperial stamp example]
* [http://www.notafilia.com/colecciones/images/billetes/central%20african%20rep/caf005_f.jpgImperial currency example]
* [http://www.flag.de/FOTW/images/c/cf_empir.gifImperial flag]
* [http://www.everyculture.com/images/ctc_01_img0224.jpgMen in traditional robes celebrating Bokassa's coronation]