Ubangi-Shari

Oubangui-Chari Ubangi-Shari Constituent of French Equatorial Africa 1903–1960 → Flag Green: Ubangi-Shari (prior to 1916) Lighter green: Ubangi-Shari (1916 concession from Kamerun) Lime green: French Equatorial Africa Dark gray: Other French possessions Darkest gray: French Republic Capital Bangui 7°N 20°E / 7°N 20°E / 7; 20Coordinates: 7°N 20°E / 7°N 20°E / 7; 20 History  - Colonized 1889  - Colonial administration 1903  - Merged with Chad 1906  - French Equatorial Africa 1910  - Autonomy December 1 1958  - Independence August 13, 1960

Oubangui-Chari in 1910. Note the borders are reduced to the southeastern section of the present-day CAR

Oubangui-Chari, or Ubangi-Shari, was a French territory in central Africa which later became the independent Central African Republic (CAR). French activity in the area began in 1889 with the establishment of an outpost at Bangui, now the capital of CAR. The territory was named in 1894.

In 1903, French troops defeated the forces of Abbas II of Egypt, who had claimed the area. Following that victory, the French established a colonial administration.^{[citation needed]}

The Oubangui-Chari territory was merged with the Chad colony in 1906. In 1910, it became one of four territories of the Federation of French Equatorial Africa (with Chad, Middle Congo, and Gabon), initially with Chad as "Oubangi-Chari-Tchad", and made into an autonomous civilian colony in 1915. Chad was separated in 1920.

The territory became independent as the Central African Republic on August 13, 1960.

This 1-centime stamp of 1924 has two different overprints.

Between 1915 and 1931, stamps were overprinted for use in Oubangui-Chari, and later specially printed for the colony.

See also

• Postage stamps and postal history of Ubangi-Shari
• Ubangi River
• Chari River
• List of French possessions and colonies
• French Equatorial Africa