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The republic of Chad is located in the Central Africa. It is landlocked by Libya in the north, Sudan in the east, Cameroon and Nigeria in the southwest, Niger in the west and Central African Republic towards the south. It is famously known as the "Dead heart of Africa" because of it extreme desert climate. It is divided into three chief geographical regions an arid Sahelian belt in the centre, a desert zone in the north and a more fertile Sudanese savanna zone in the south. The lowest point in Chad is Djourab Depression with160 m and the highest is Emi Koussi with 3,415 m.
Lake Chad is the largest wetland in Chad and the second largest in Africa, and it is after this lake the Country has derived its name.
Chief natural resources found are petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, gold, sand and gravel, salt, fish and limestone. Chad has an approximate 300 sq km of irrigated land.
Climate in Chad is generally tropical in south, desert in north. Every year a tropical weather system noted as the intertropical front crosses Chad from south to north, bringing a wet season that lasts from June to September in the Sahel and from May to October in the south. Variations in local rainfall create three major geographical zones. |
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| People |
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The population of Chad is estimated to be approximately 9,885,661. The country has a young population with 47.3% below the age of 15. The population divide is a little erratic.
The major ethnic groups are Sara covering 27.7% of the population, Arab with 12.3%, Mayo-Kebbi with 11.5%, Kanem-Bornou has 9%, Ouaddai covers 8.7%, Hadjarai with 6.7%, Tandjile 6.5%, Gorane 6.3%, Fitri-Batha 4.7%, other 6.4% and unknown groups with 0.3%.
Majority population follows Islam, practiced by 53.1% of the population, other religious groups are Catholic with 20.1%, Protestant covering 14.2%, animist with 7.3%, other 0.5%, unknown 1.7% and atheist with 3.1% of the population.
French and Arabic is the official language, people in the south of Chad speak Sara, within Chad there are more than 120 different languages and dialects.
Polygyny is a common feature with about 39% of the women living in such unions. Women are treated unequal, they are not provided with the opportunities in education and training, enabling them to compete for the relatively few formal-sector jobs.
Chad enjoys a rich cultural heritage. The Chad National Museum and Chad Cultural Center has been be set up by the government to promote the Chadian culture and national heritage. |
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| Government |
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Chad is ruled under the framework of republic government, wherein the president is the Chief of the state and Prime Minister is the head of the government. The Council of State, members are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The president is elected by popular vote to serve five-year term and if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting.
Chad is administratively divided into 18 regions, Batha, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi Est, Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile, Ville de N'Djamena, Wadi Fira. Each region has a governor appointed by the president.
Capital: N'Djamena
Independence Day: 11 August 1960
President: Lt. Gen. Idriss Deby Itno
Prime Minister: Nouradine Delwa Kassire Koumakoye |
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| Economy |
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Chad is the fifth the poorest country in the world according to the UN. Chad's predominantly agricultural economy continues to be boosted by major foreign direct investment projects in the oil sector that began in 2000. About 80% of Chad's population bank on subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood. The economy has long been disabled by its landlocked position, high energy costs, and a precarious history.
For most public and private sector investment projects Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital. A decent 20% of the population is into the service and industrial sector. The chief agricultural produce is cotton, sorghum, millet, rice, potatoes, peanuts manioc, sheep, goats, cattle and camels. Major industrial produce and services are oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer brewing, soap, natron (sodium carbonate), cigarettes, and construction materials. |
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