Chad

Republic of Chad République du Tchad جمهورية تشاد Ǧumhūriyyat Tšād
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Unité, Travail, Progrès  (French) Unity, Work, Progress
Anthem: La Tchadienne The Chadian Hymn
Capital and largest city	N'Djamena 12°06′N 16°02′E / 12.100°N 16.033°E / 12.100; 16.033
Official languages	French Arabic
Ethnic groups (1993)	Sara 27.7% Arab 12.3% Mayo-Kebbi 11.5% Kanem-Bornou 9% Ouaddai 8.7% Hadjarai 6.7% Tandjile 6.5% Gorane 6.3% Fitri-Batha 4.7% other 6.4% unknown 0.3%
Demonym(s)	Chadian
Government	Presidential republic
• President	Mahamat Déby [1]
• Prime Minister	Succès Masra
Independence
• from France	August 11, 1960
Area
• Total	1,284,000 km2 (496,000 sq mi) (21st)
• Water (%)	1.9
Population
• 2009 estimate	10,329,208[2] (74th)
• 1993 census	6,279,921
• Density	8.0/km2 (20.7/sq mi) (212th)
GDP (PPP)	2011 estimate
• Total	$18.261 billion[3] (123rd)
• Per capita	$1,743[3] (150th)
GDP (nominal)	2011 estimate
• Total	$9.535 billion[3] (130th)
• Per capita	$910[3] (151st)
HDI (2011)	0.328 low · 183rd
Currency	Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Time zone	UTC+1 (WAT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (Not observed)
Driving side	right
Calling code	235
ISO 3166 code	TD
Internet TLD	.td

Chad (French: Tchad; Arabic: تشاد, officially called the Republic of Chad), is a landlocked country in Central Africa. The capital is N'Djamena.

It was a French colony until 1960.^[2] It suffers from poverty, illness, drought, and armed conflicts. In 2011, the population of Chad was 11,535,000.^[4]

Arabic and French are the official languages. Islam and Christianity are the most widely practiced religions.

Chad has one of the highest levels of hunger in the world. Food insecurity is common in the country. 80% live in total poverty on less than a dollar a day, and 90% are unemployed in Chad. Chad has a low life expectancy. Life expectancy is 54 years old in Chad.

Chad is home to 134 kinds of mammals, 141 bird species, 52 kinds of reptiles, 30 amphibians and 130 kinds of fish. Many animals such as elephants, hippopotamuses, rhinoceroses, warthogs, giraffes, antelopes, lions, leopards, and cheetahs live in Chad.

Chad is the world's 21st-largest country. It is slightly smaller than Peru and slightly larger than South Africa.^[5][6] To the north is Libya, to the south is the Central African Republic, to the east is Sudan, and to the west are Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger.

The country's capital is 1,060 kilometres (660 mi) from the nearest seaport Douala, Cameroon.^[7][8] Due to this distance from the sea and the country's largely desert climate, Chad is sometimes called the "Dead Heart of Africa".^[9]

Lake Chad is the largest wetland in Chad and the second largest in Africa. Lake Chad was 330,000 square kilometres (130,000 sq mi) 7000 years ago. Now it is 17,806 square kilometres (6,875 sq mi). Chad's highest peak is the Emi Koussi in the Sahara.

The region's tall grasses and large amount of marshes make it good for birds, reptiles, and large mammals. Chad's major rivers are the Chari and Logone.

Since 2002, the Republic of Chad has been divided into regions. It was previously divided into prefectures, and then departments.

Below is a list of the 23 regions as of 2012.

No. Region Pop. (2009) Capital Departments 1 Batha 488,458 Ati Batha Est, Batha Ouest, Fitri 22 Chari-Baguirmi 578,425 Massenya Baguirmi, Chari, Loug Chari 23 Hadjer-Lamis 566,858 Massakory Dababa, Dagana , Haraze Al Biar 5 Wadi Fira 508,383 Biltine Biltine, Dar Tama, Kobé 2 Bahr el Gazel 257,267 Moussoro Barh El Gazel Nord, Barh El Gazel Sud 3 Borkou 93,584 Faya-Largeau Borkou, Borkou Yala 8 Ennedi-Est 107,302 Am-Djarass Am-Djarass, Wadi Hawar 12 Ennedi-Ouest 60,617 Fada Fada, Mourtcha 9 Guéra 538,359 Mongo Abtouyour, Barh Signaka, Guéra, Mangalmé 13 Kanem 333,387 Mao Kanem, Nord Kanem, Wadi Bissam 14 Lac 433,790 Bol Mamdi, Wayi 11 Logone Occidental 689,044 Moundou Dodjé, Guéni, Lac Wey, Ngourkosso 7 Logone Oriental 779,339 Doba La Nya, La Nya Pendé, La Pendé, Kouh-Est, Kouh-Ouest, Monts de Lam 15 Mandoul 628,065 Koumra Barh Sara, Mandoul Occidental, Mandoul Oriental 6 Mayo-Kebbi Est 774,782 Bongor Kabbia, Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-Lémié, Mont d'Illi 10 Mayo-Kebbi Ouest 564,470 Pala Lac Léré, Mayo-Dallah 19 Moyen-Chari 588,008 Sarh Barh Kôh, Grande Sido, Lac Iro 4 Ouaddaï 721,166 Abéché Abdi, Assoungha, Ouara 17 Salamat 302,301 Am Timan Aboudeïa, Barh Azoum, Haraze-Mangueigne 18 Sila 387,461 Goz Beïda Djourf Al Ahmar, Kimiti 20 Tandjilé 661,906 Laï Tandjilé Est, Tandjilé Ouest 21 Tibesti 25,483 Bardaï Tibesti Est, Tibesti Ouest 16 N'Djamena (capital) 951,418 N'Djamena 10 dawāʾir or arrondissements

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The largest cities in Chad are:

1. N'Djamena - 704,200
2. Moundou - 136,900
3. Sarh - 100,100
4. Abéché - 72,500
5. Kélo - 41,500
6. Koumra - 35,400
7. Pala - 34,600
8. Am Timan - 28,200
9. Bongor - 27,100
10. Mongo - 27,100

Chad's official languages are Arabic and French, but over 100 languages and dialects are spoken. Due to the important role of Arab traders and merchants, Chadian Arabic has become a lingua franca, a language for all to use.

Attending primary school is required in Chad, though only about 50% of children attend school.^[10] Adult literacy is only 35%.^[10]

The University of N'Djamena gives higher education.

• Media related to Chad at Wikimedia Commons
• Chad travel guide from Wikivoyage