A former French colony spread around the river for which it was named, Bangui is the economic and cultural center of the Central African Republic. The Ubangi River and surrounding hills give the city a rolling landscape, with the central city located close to the river, where you will find the Presidential Palace, the Place de la Republique with its Roman style Triumphal Arch, the Boganda Museum and the central market. Further out on K-Cinq there is nightlife and another large market.