Bangui (or Bangî in Sango, formerly written Bangi in English) is the capital and largest city of the Central African Republic.

It was established as a French outpost in 1889 and named after its location on the northern bank of the Ubangi River the Ubangi itself was named from the Bobangi word for the "rapids" located beside the settlement, which marked the end of navigable water north from Brazzaville. Bangui has been the scene of intense rebel activity and destruction during decades of political upheaval, including the recent rebellion. As a result of political unrest, the city was named in 1996 as one of the most dangerous in the world.