The Central African Republic, a landlocked country located in Central Africa, is known by a variety of synonyms. Some of the most commonly used alternatives for the country's name include the CAR, Centrafrique (French for "Central Africa"), and the Central African Empire. Prior to its independence from France in 1960, the country was known as Ubangi-Shari, and some still use this name today. In addition, the country is sometimes referred to by its capital city, Bangui. Regardless of the name used to describe it, the Central African Republic is a fascinating country with a rich cultural history and diverse natural landscape.