The Central African Republic is administratively divided into 16 prefectures (French: préfectures, Sango: kodoro kômanda-kôta) and the capital city of Bangui, which is an autonomous commune (French: commune autonome, Sango: kôta-gbata). Each prefecture is governed by a local assembly called General Council (Conseil Général), presided by a Prefect (Préfet). The prefectures are further subdivided into 71 sub-prefectures. Prefectures are all named after major rivers passing through their areas: (Basse ("Lower") means downstream, and Haut or Haute ("Upper") means upstream.)