Chad

Chad, officially the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in Central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon to the southwest, Nigeria to the southwest (at Lake Chad), and Niger to the west. It is the fifth-largest country in Africa.

The country has a population of about 19 million people. French and Arabic are the official languages, and the main religions are Islam and Christianity. The capital and largest city is N'Djamena.

Chad has a long history. People have lived in the region for thousands of years. Chad became independent from France in 1960. Since then, the country has faced many challenges, including conflicts and political changes. Today, Chad is one of the least developed countries in the world, and many people live in poverty. However, the country has natural resources like oil, which helps provide income.

History

Main article: History of Chad

Chad has a rich and complex history. Thousands of years ago, people lived in the northern part of Chad, leaving important archaeological sites. Over time, several empires rose and fell, such as the Sao, Kanem, and Wadai, which controlled trade routes across the Sahara.

In the early 1900s, France took control of Chad, focusing mainly on cotton farming. After World War II, Chad became an overseas territory and gained independence in 1960. Since then, Chad has faced periods of political changes and challenges in balancing different ethnic groups. In recent years, Chad has worked with other countries and has seen changes in its leadership, including the transition from Idriss Déby to his son, Mahamat Déby.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Chad

Chad is divided into three distinct zones, the Sudanian savanna in the south, the Sahara in the north, and the Sahelian belt in the centre.

Chad is a big country in central Africa. It covers 1,284,000 square kilometres. It shares borders with Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon to the southwest, Nigeria to the southwest at Lake Chad, and Niger to the west. The capital city, N'Djamena, is far from any ocean.

The landscape of Chad changes from desert in the north to grassy lands in the south. Lake Chad, which the country is named after, is a large wetland. Its size changes with the seasons. The south has many rivers that flow into the lake, providing a home for many birds and animals.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Chad

Demographics of Chad, Data of Our World in Data, year 2022; number of inhabitants in millions.

Chad is a country in Central Africa with about 19 million people. Many of these people are children, with about half under the age of 15. Most people live in places outside of cities, but many also live in the capital city, N'Djamena. The country has areas where lots of people live and areas where only a few people live.

Chad has many different kinds of people and languages. French and Arabic are the official languages, but over 100 other languages are spoken there too. The country has more than 200 ethnic groups, each with its own traditions. Islam and Christianity are the main religions, and people also practice other faiths and traditional beliefs. Getting an education can be hard, and many children do not go to school regularly.

Cities of Chad
Rank	City	Population		Region
Rank	City	1993 census	2009 census	Region
1.	N'Djamena	530,965	951,418	N'Djamena
2.	Moundou	99,530	137,251	Logone Occidental
3.	Abéché	54,628	97,963	Ouaddaï
4.	Sarh	75,496	97,224	Moyen-Chari
5.	Kélo	31,319	57,859	Tandjilé
6.	Am Timan	21,269	52,270	Salamat
7.	Doba	17,920	49,647	Logone Oriental
8.	Pala	26,116	49,461	Mayo-Kebbi Ouest
9.	Bongor	20,448	44,578	Mayo-Kebbi Est
10.	Goz Beïda	3,083	41,248	Sila

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Chad

Chad's government is led by a president who has a lot of power. The president chooses the prime minister and many important leaders. Elections for the president happen every five years.

Chad's laws come from French rules and local customs. The highest courts are the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Council. The National Assembly has members who make laws.

Internal opposition and foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of Chad

Chadian President Mahamat Déby is the son of Idriss Déby, who ruled Chad from 1990 to 2021.

Chad has had groups that wanted to change the government. France has helped Chad, but in 2025, France ended its military presence there. Chad also works with other countries to help people, like refugees from Sudan.

Military

Embassy of Chad in Washington, D.C.

Chad's army has soldiers who work to keep peace in the area. Chad has worked with France for training its soldiers, but stopped this in 2024.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Provinces of Chad, Departments of Chad, and Sub-prefectures of Chad

Chad is divided into 23 provinces. Each province has a leader chosen by the president. These provinces are split into smaller areas called departments and sub-prefectures. The government wants local people to help decide things, but local elections have not happened yet.

No.	Province	Population (2009)	Population (1 July 2023)	Estimated area (km²)	Capital	Departments
1	Bahr el-Gazel	257,267	407,256	58,525	Moussoro	Barh el-Gazel Nord, Barh el-Gazel Sud, Barh el-Gazel Ouest, Barh el-Gazel Est, Kleta
2	Batha	488,458	748,395	93,732	Ati	Batha Est, Batha Ouest, Fitri, Ouadi-Rimé, Assinet, Haraze
3	Borkou	93,584	154,865	271,513	Faya	Borkou, Borkou-Yala, Kouba
4	Chari-Baguirmi	578,425	884,924	47,226	Massenya	Baguirmi, Chari, Loug-Chari, Dourbali
5	Ennedi-Est	107,302	175,321	81,696	Amdjarass	Amdjarass, Wadi Hawar, Itou, Nohi, Bao, Mourdi
6	Ennedi-Ouest	60,617	109,753	117,686	Fada	Fada, Mourtcha, Lac-Ounianga, Tebi, Gouro, Torbol
7	Guéra	538,359	824,161	62,678	Mongo	Guéra, Abtouyour, Barh-Signaka, Mangalmé, Garada
8	Hadjer-Lamis	566,858	870,231	31,376	Massakory	Dagana, Dababa Haraz-al-Biar, Ngoura
9	Kanem	333,387	505,839	70,516	Mao	Kanem-Centre, Kanem-Nord, Kanem-Sud, Kanem-Est, Kanem-Ouest
10	Lac	331,496	509,258	20,543	Bol	Mamdi, Wayi, Kaya, Fouli, Kouloukime
11	Logone Occidental	689,044	1,053,958	8,969	Moundou	Lac-Wey, Guéni, Ngourkosso, Dodjé
12	Logone Oriental	779,339	1,184,567	24,119	Doba	La Pendé, La Nya, La Nya-Pendé, Kouh-Est, Kouh-Ouest, Monts de Lam
13	Mandoul	628,065	1,002,346	17,761	Koumra	Barh-Sara, Mandoul Occidental, Mandoul Oriental, Goundi, Taralnass, Mandoul Central
14	Mayo-Kebbi Est	774,782	1,179,260	18,458	Bongor	Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-Lémié, Mont-Illi, Kabbia
15	Mayo-Kebbi Ouest	564,470	858,593	12,787	Pala	Mayo-Dallah, Mayo-Binder, Lac-Léré, El-Ouaya, Nanaye
16	Moyen-Chari	588,008	902,311	42,307	Sarh	Barh-Kôh, Grande Sido, Lac-Iro, Korbol, La Moula, Bragoto
17	Ouaddaï	721,166	1,102,467	30,790	Abéché	Ouara, Abougoudam, Djourf Al Ahmar, Assongha
18	Salamat	302,301	470,256	69,631	Am Timan	Barh-Azoum, Aboudeïa, Haraze-Mangueigne
19	Sila	387,461	591,300	36,745	Goz Beïda	Kimiti, Abdi, Tissi, Adé, Koukou-Angarana
20	Tandjilé	661,906	1,007,812	17,891	Laï	Tandjilé-Est, Tandjilé-Centre, Tandjilé-Ouest, Manga, Manbagué
21	Tibesti	25,483	52,626	135,896	Bardaï	Bardaï, Zouar, Wour, Aouzou, Emi-Koussi, Zoumri
22	Wadi Fira	508,383	792,394	56,362	Biltine	Biltine, Dar-Tama, Mégri, Iriba, Al-Biher, Dar-Alfawakih, Tiné
23	N'Djamena (capital)	951,418	1,434,592	408	N'Djamena	10 dawāʾir or arrondissements

Economy

Further information: Economy of Chad, Agriculture in Chad, and Petroleum industry in Chad

Chad is one of the poorest countries in the world. Many people do not have enough money for their basic needs. Most people work on farms or raise animals. The land in the south is good for growing crops like sorghum and millet. The country has started to develop its oil resources, which brings hope for improving the economy.

Chad’s roads and airports are still being improved. Most people use wood or animal waste for energy instead of electricity. The country has very few telephone lines, but mobile phones are becoming more common.

Culture

Chad has a rich cultural heritage because many different groups of people live there. The government supports culture with a Chad National Museum and a Chad Cultural Centre. There are six national holidays each year, plus Christian and Muslim holidays like Easter Monday, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Mawlid.

Chadian meals often use millet, a type of grain. It is made into soft balls and dipped in sauces. Fish is also popular, either dried and smoked or prepared fresh. Tea made from hibiscus leaves is a favorite sweet drink. In some areas, people enjoy millet beer.

Music in Chad uses many instruments, like the kinde (a bow harp), kakaki (a long tin horn), and hu hu (a string instrument). Different groups have their own favorite instruments. Chad began making modern music in 1964, and today many enjoy listening to Chadian songs on CD or audio cassette.

Books and writing in Chad face challenges, but some writers are known around the world. Chad has one television station, but many people listen to radio. Newspapers are not widely read because of cost and low literacy. The country has had only one cinema for many years, but a few Chadians have made films that have won awards around the world.

Football is the most popular sport in Chad. Many Chadians watch and support the national football team, and some players have joined teams in Europe. Basketball and a special style of wrestling are also enjoyed.