Chad

Chad
SKopp & others (see upload log) · Public domain · source
Conventional long name	Republic of Chad
Capital	N'Djamena
Largest city	N'Djamena
Official languages	Arabic, French
Government type	Unitary presidential republic under a military junta
Leader title1	Transitional President
Leader name1	Mahamat Déby
Leader title2	Prime Minister
Leader name2	Allamaye Halina
Area km2	1,284,000
Population estimate	18,523,165
Population estimate year	2023

Chad. Officially the Republic of Chad, it is a large, landlocked country located at the crossroads of North Africa and Central Africa. Bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west, its geography is dominated by the arid Sahara Desert in the north and the more fertile Sudanian Savanna in the south. The nation's political center is its capital, N'Djamena, situated on the banks of the Chari River near the border with Cameroon.

Geography

The landscape is defined by the Lake Chad basin in the west and the Ennedi Plateau in the northeast, with the Tibesti Mountains hosting the highest peak, Emi Koussi. Major waterways include the Logone River and the Chari River, which flow into Lake Chad, a vital but shrinking water body shared with Niger, Nigeria, and Cameroon. The northern regions encompass part of the Sahara Desert, including the Borkou area, while the southern Sudanian Savanna features the Salamat Region and the Mandoul Region. Protected areas like Zakouma National Park in the south are key for biodiversity.

History

Ancient societies included the Sao civilisation near Lake Chad and the Kanem-Bornu Empire, which prospered through trans-Saharan trade with states like the Ottoman Empire. The early 20th century saw the territory become part of French Equatorial Africa, known as French Chad. Independence was achieved in 1960 under President François Tombalbaye, whose rule led to the Chadian Civil War (1965–1979). Subsequent conflicts involved the Chadian–Libyan conflict, with pivotal battles such as the Battle of N'Djamena (1979) and the Toyota War. Longtime ruler Idriss Déby took power in 1990 after the Battle of N'Djamena (1990) and led the Patriotic Salvation Movement until his death in 2021, after which his son, Mahamat Déby, assumed control of the Transitional Military Council.

Government and politics

The nation is a unitary state with a presidential system currently led by the Transitional Military Council under Mahamat Déby. The legislature is the National Assembly, though its powers have been limited during the ongoing transition. Key political movements include the former ruling Patriotic Salvation Movement and opposition groups like the Union of Forces for Democracy and Development. The legal system blends French civil law with customary law, and the country is a member of the African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States, and the G5 Sahel.

Economy

Heavily reliant on the petroleum sector, with exports flowing via the Chad–Cameroon Pipeline to the coast at Kribi, Cameroon. Agriculture, involving crops like sorghum and millet, employs much of the workforce, particularly in the southern regions such as the Logone Occidental Region. The Cotton Company of Chad is a historic state enterprise. The nation faces economic challenges including poverty and instability, participating in debt relief initiatives through the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The Bank of Central African States oversees the common currency, the Central African CFA franc.

Demographics

The population comprises over 200 distinct ethnic groups, with the Sara people predominant in the south and Arab and Toubou groups in the north, including the Zaghawa people. Islam is the majority religion, followed by Christianity and indigenous beliefs. Official languages are Arabic and French, with numerous indigenous languages like Sara and Chadian Arabic widely spoken. Major urban centers include N'Djamena, Moundou in the Logone Occidental Region, and Sarh near the Chari River.

Culture

Cultural traditions vary between the northern Saharan peoples and southern agricultural communities. The Gerewol Festival, celebrated by the Wodaabe people, is a renowned cultural event. Music incorporates instruments like the kinda and styles such as Chadian folk music. Literature includes works by authors like Joseph Brahim Seïd. Sports, particularly association football, are popular, with the national team known as the Chad national football team. The cuisine features staples like boule and sauces made with okra or peanuts.

Category:Chad Category:Landlocked countries Category:Member states of the African Union