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.

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

Lieutenant Colonel Alexandre Banza (1932 – 12 April 1969) was a military officer and politician in the Central African Republic. Born in Carnot, Ubangi-Shari, Banza served with the French Army during the First Indochina War before joining the Central African Republic armed forces. As commander of the Camp Kassaï military base in 1965, Banza helped Jean-Bédel Bokassa overthrow the government of President David Dacko. Bokassa rewarded Banza by appointing him as minister of state and minister of finance in the new government. Banza quickly established the new regime's reputation abroad and forged diplomatic relations with other countries. In 1967, Bokassa and his protégé had a major argument over the president's extravagances. In April 1968, Bokassa removed Banza as minister of finance. Recognizing Bokassa's attempts to undermine him, Banza made a number of remarks highly critical of the president's handling of the government. Bokassa responded by abolishing the minister of state position.

Alessandro Cattelan (born 11 May 1980 in Tortona) is an Italian television personality known for presenting TRL Italy, the Italian version of Total Request Live broadcast by MTV Italia, and Le Iene, broadcast by Mediaset’s Italia 1. In 2011 he hosted the 5th version of X Factor (Italy).