Ubangi-Shari
/uːˈbæŋɡi ˈʃɑːri/noun
A former French colonial territory in central Africa, corresponding largely to the present-day Central African Republic.
Did you know?Ubangi-Shari was created as a French colonial territory in 1903 and became the independent Central African Republic in 1960.
Etymological Timeline
Precolonial period
Local African languages
Ubangi; Shari
“Names of major rivers in the region; the precise original meanings are uncertain and should not be replaced with invented translations.”
Late 19th Century
French
Oubangui-Chari
“French colonial spelling for the territory associated with the Ubangi and Chari river basins.”
1903
French
Oubangui-Chari
“Established as a French colonial territory in Central Africa.”
1910
French
Oubangui-Chari
“Administered within French Equatorial Africa, alongside neighboring colonial territories.”
1958
French
République centrafricaine
“The territory became an autonomous Central African republic and adopted a new official name.”
1960
English/French
Central African Republic; République centrafricaine
“The former Ubangi-Shari became the independent Central African Republic.”