Boali

Boali

The Falls of Boali
Boali

Location in Central African Republic

Coordinates: 4°48′N 18°7′E / 4.800°N 18.117°ECoordinates: 4°48′N 18°7′E / 4.800°N 18.117°E
Country Central African Republic
Prefecture Ombella-M'Poko
Population (2012)[1]
 • Total 9,314

Boali is a town located in the Central African Republic prefecture of Ombella-M'Poko.

Boali is located on National Highway 1 (RN1),[2] about 100 km northwest of the national capital, Bangui.[3] The road, one of the country's few paved highways, leads on to Bouar, and ultimately to Cameroon.[4]

Situated on the Mbali River, Boali is noted for its waterfalls and for the nearby hydroelectric works. The Falls of Boali are 250 m wide and 50 m high, and are a popular tourist destination.[4]

The hydroelectric works, Boali I and Boali II, are located below the falls. They have a combined generating power of 18.65 megawatts, and are operated by the state-run Central African Energy (ENERCA).[5] The completion of Boali I in the 1950s spurred several other industrial developments in the town, including the country's first textile mill, which began operating in 1954.[6]

The Boali hydroelectric works supply power to the capital and 13 other towns.[5] This strategic role was used by the Seleka rebels in March 2013, who took over the plant on their way to Bangui and shut off power to the city.[7]

Initial arrangements were made in 2010 for a third hydroelectric plant, Boali 3, to be built with Chinese assistance.[8]

A 1963 Central African postage stamp depicting the falls in the background and the hydroelectric power plant in the foreground. 
An abandoned mosque in Boali. 


References

  1. ↑ "World Gazetteer".
  2. ↑ "Les Chutes de Boali". BanguiWeb. Retrieved 2013-03-24.
  3. ↑ O'Toole, Thomas (1986). The Central African Republic The Continent's Hidden Heart. Westview Press. p. 123.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Auzias, Dominique; Labourdette, Jean-Paul (2010). "Chutes de Boali". République Centrafricaine 2010-11. Petit Futé. p. 110. ISBN 2746926075.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Kalck, Pierre (2004). Historical Dictionary of the Central African Republic Third Edition. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 0810849135.
  6. ↑ Singh, Daleep (2008). Francophone Africa, 1905-2005 A Century of Economic and Social Change. Allied Publishers. p. 201. ISBN 8184242581.
  7. ↑ "Séléka conquiert enfin la ville de Bangui, les FACA battent en retraite". Radio Ndeke Luka. 2013-03-23. Retrieved 2013-03-24.
  8. ↑ "China and Central Africa". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. Retrieved 2013-03-24.

External links