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Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of civil warfare, as well as invasions by Libya, before peace was restored in 1990. The government eventually drafted a democratic constitution and held flawed presidential elections in 1996 and 2001. In 1998, a rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which has sporadically flared up despite several peace agreements between the government and insurgents. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a referendum successfully removing constitutional term limits and won another controversial election in 2006. Sporadic rebel campaigns continued throughout 2006 and 2007. The capital experienced a significant insurrection in early 2008, but has had no significant rebel threats since then, in part due to Chad's 2010 rapprochement with Sudan, which previously used Chadian rebels as proxies. DEBY in 2011 was reelected to his fourth term in an election that international observers described as proceeding without incident. In January 2014, Chad began a two-year rotation on the UN Security Council.
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Geography :: CHAD
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Central Africa, south of Libya
15 00 N, 19 00 E
Africa
total: 1.284 million sq km
land: 1,259,200 sq km
water: 24,800 sq km
country comparison to the world:
21slightly more than three times the size of California
total: 6,406 km
border countries (6): Cameroon 1,116 km, Central African Republic 1,556 km, Libya 1,050 km, Niger 1,196 km, Nigeria 85 km, Sudan 1,403 km
0 km (landlocked)
none (landlocked)
tropical in south, desert in north
broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south
lowest point: Djourab 160 m
highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m
petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt
agricultural land: 39.6%
arable land 3.9%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 35.7%
forest: 9.1%
other: 51.3% (2011 est.)
302.7 sq km (2003)
43 cu km (2011)
total: 0.88 cu km/yr (12%/12%/76%)
per capita: 84.81 cu m/yr (2005)
hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues
inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
note 1: Chad is the largest of Africa's 16 landlocked countries
note 2: not long ago - geologically speaking - what is today the Sahara was green savannah teeming with wildlife; during the African Humid Period, roughly 11,000 to 5,000 years ago, a vibrant animal community, including elephants, giraffes, hippos, and antelope lived there; the last remnant of the "Green Sahara" exists in the Lakes of Ounianga (oo-nee-ahn-ga) in northern Chad, a series of 18 interconnected freshwater, saline, and hypersaline lakes now protected as a World Heritage site
note 3: Lake Chad, the most significant water body in the Sahel, is a remnant of a former inland sea, paleolake Mega-Chad; at its greatest extent, sometime before 5000 B.C., Lake Mega-Chad was the largest of four Saharan paleolakes that existed during the African Humid Period; it covered an area of about 400,000 sq km (150,000 sq mi), roughly the size of today's Caspian Sea
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People and Society :: CHAD
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noun: Chadian(s)
adjective: Chadian
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% (1993 census)
French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects
Muslim 53.1%, Catholic 20.1%, Protestant 14.2%, animist 7.3%, other 0.5%, unknown 1.7%, atheist 3.1% (1993 census)
11,631,456 (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
770-14 years: 44.2% (male 2,607,314/female 2,534,163)
15-24 years: 20.9% (male 1,183,962/female 1,247,130)
25-54 years: 28.05% (male 1,479,285/female 1,783,014)
55-64 years: 3.87% (male 197,673/female 252,379)
65 years and over: 2.98% (male 143,712/female 202,824) (2015 est.)
population pyramid:
total dependency ratio: 100.7%
youth dependency ratio: 95.8%
elderly dependency ratio: 4.9%
potential support ratio: 20.3% (2015 est.)
total: 17.4 years
male: 16.4 years
female: 18.4 years (2015 est.)
1.89% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
5836.6 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1614.28 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
6-3.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
186urban population: 22.5% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 3.42% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
N'DJAMENA (capital) 1.26 million (2015)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.83 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.78 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.71 male(s)/female
total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
total: 88.69 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 94.23 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 82.93 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
6total population: 49.81 years
male: 48.64 years
female: 51.03 years (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2244.55 children born/woman (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
254.8% (2010)
3.6% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world:
1740.04 physicians/1,000 population (2006)
0.4 beds/1,000 population (2005)
improved:
urban: 71.8% of population
rural: 44.8% of population
total: 50.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: 28.2% of population
rural: 55.2% of population
total: 49.2% of population (2015 est.)
improved:
urban: 31.4% of population
rural: 6.5% of population
total: 12.1% of population
unimproved:
urban: 68.6% of population
rural: 93.5% of population
total: 87.9% of population (2015 est.)
2.53% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
24215,000 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2511,700 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
21degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
6.6% (2014)
country comparison to the world:
17730.3% (2010)
country comparison to the world:
132.3% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world:
160definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic
total population: 40.2%
male: 48.5%
female: 31.9% (2015 est.)
total: 7 years
male: 9 years
female: 6 years (2011)
total number: 1,475,960
percentage: 48% (2010 est.)
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Government :: CHAD
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conventional long form: Republic of Chad
conventional short form: Chad
local long form: Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad
local short form: Tchad/Tshad
republic
name: N'Djamena
geographic coordinates: 12 06 N, 15 02 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
23 regions (regions, singular - region); Barh el Gazel, Batha, Borkou, Chari-Baguirmi, Ennedi-Est, Ennedi-Ouest, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi Est, Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile, Tibesti, Ville de N'Djamena, Wadi Fira
11 August 1960 (from France)
Independence Day, 11 August (1960)
several previous; latest passed by referendum 31 March 1996, entered into force 8 April 1996; amended 2005 (2010)
mixed legal system of civil and customary law
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Idriss DEBY Itno, Lt. Gen. (since 4 December 1990)
head of government: Prime Minister Kalzeube Pahimi DEUBET (since 21 November 2013)
cabinet: Council of Ministers; members appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 25 April 2011 (next to be held by 2016); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (MPS) 83.6%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE (Viva-RNDP) 8.6%, Nadji MADOU 7.8%
description: unicameral National Assembly (188 seats; 118 directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 70 directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 4-year terms)
elections: National Assembly - last held on 13 February and 6 May 2011 (next to be held on 30 September 2015)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - MPS 117, UNDR 10, RDP 9, URD 8, RNDT/Le Reveil 8, Viva-RNDP 5, FAR 4, PUR 2, UDR 2, PDSA 2, CTPD 2, other minor parties 19
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 15 judges or councilors and divided into 3 chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 3 judges and 6 jurists)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court chief justice selected by the president; councilors - 8 designated by the president and 7 by the speaker of the National Assembly; chief justice and councilors appointed for life; Constitutional Council judges - 2 appointed by the president and 1 by the speaker of the National Assembly; jurists - 3 each by the president and by the speaker of the National Assembly; judge term NA
subordinate courts: High Court of Justice; Courts of Appeal; tribunals; justices of the peace
Alliance for the Renaissance of Chad or ART (includes MPS, RDP, and Viva-RNDP)
Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR]
National Rally for Development and Progress or Viva-RNDP [Dr. Nouradine Delwa Kassire COUMAKOYE]
National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]
Party for Liberty and Development or PLD [Jean-Baptiste LAOKOLE]
Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Idriss DEBY]
Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lol Mahamat CHOUA]
Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Sande NGARYIMBE]
NA
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Mahamat Nasser HASSANE (since 21 May 2014)
chancery: 2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 652-1312
FAX: [1] (202) 758-0431
chief of mission: Ambassador James KNIGHT (since 6 September 2013)
embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena
mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena
telephone: [235] 2251-70-09
FAX: [235] 2251-56-54
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the flag combines the blue and red French (former colonial) colors with the red and yellow of the Pan-African colors; blue symbolizes the sky, hope, and the south of the country, which is relatively well-watered; yellow represents the sun, as well as the desert in the north of the country; red stands for progress, unity, and sacrifice
note: similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France
goat (north), lion (south); national colors: blue, yellow, red
name: "La Tchadienne" (The Chadian)
lyrics/music: Louis GIDROL and his students/Paul VILLARD
note: adopted 1960
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Economy :: CHAD
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Chad’s landlocked location results in high transportation costs for imported goods and dependence on neighboring countries. Oil and agriculture are mainstays of Chad’s economy. Oil provides about 60% of export revenues, while cotton, cattle, livestock, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for much public and private sector investment. The services sector contributes about one-third of GDP and has attracted foreign investment mostly through telecommunications and banking. Chad’s fiscal position is encumbered by declining oil prices, though high oil prices and strong local harvests supported the economy in recent years. Nearly all of Chad’s fuel is provided by one domestic refinery, and unanticipated shut-downs occasionally result in shortages. The country regulates the price of domestic fuel, providing an incentive for black market sales. Chad's investment climate remains challenging due to limited infrastructure, a lack of trained workers, extensive government bureaucracy, and corruption. Chad obtained a three-year extended credit facility from the IMF in 2014 and was granted debt relief under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative in April 2015.
$29.53 billion (2014 est.)
$27.63 billion (2013 est.)
$26.14 billion (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world:
126$13.95 billion (2014 est.)
6.9% (2014 est.)
5.7% (2013 est.)
8.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
4$2,600 (2014 est.)
$2,400 (2013 est.)
$2,300 (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world:
194-6.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
18.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
22.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
40household consumption: 76.1%
government consumption: 6.3%
investment in fixed capital: 29.3%
investment in inventories: 0.3%
exports of goods and services: 27.1%
imports of goods and services: -39%
(2014 est.)
agriculture: 54.3%
industry: 13.2%
services: 32.4% (2014 est.)
cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, sesame, corn, rice, potatoes, onions, cassava (manioc, tapioca), cattle, sheep, goats, camels
oil, cotton textiles, brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials
6% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
424.919 million (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
82agriculture: 80%
industry and services: 20% (2006 est.)
NA%
46.7% (2011 est.)
lowest 10%: 2.6%
highest 10%: 30.8% (2003)
43.3 (2011 est.)
revenues: $2.884 billion
expenditures: $3.713 billion (2014 est.)
18.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
175-5.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
17134.5% of GDP (2014 est.)
31.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
115calendar year
1.7% (2014 est.)
0.1% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
894.25% (31 December 2009)
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world:
9615.5% (31 December 2014 est.)
15.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
34$1.746 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$1.606 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
135$1.976 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$1.751 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
155$895.3 million (31 December 2014 est.)
$757.6 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
159$NA
-$1.219 billion (2014 est.)
-$1.225 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
119$4.912 billion (2014 est.)
$3.926 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
114oil, livestock, cotton, sesame, gum arabic, shea butter
US 77.6%, Japan 10.2% (2014)
$3.481 billion (2014 est.)
$3.193 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
144machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles
Algeria 54.6%, China 11.2%, Italy 6.2%, France 5.4% (2014)
$1.389 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$1.196 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
128$3.222 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$1.878 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
139$NA (31 December 2010)
$4.5 billion (2006 est.)
$NA
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
491.2 (2014 est.)
494.04 (2013 est.)
510.53 (2012 est.)
471.87 (2011 est.)
495.28 (2010 est.)
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Energy :: CHAD
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205 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
183190.7 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1880 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1180 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
12731,000 kW (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
198100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
610% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1630% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
166103,400 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
48104,500 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
360 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1691.5 billion bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
380 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1291,700 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1910 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1621,754 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1830 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1140 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1280 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
730 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1710 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
121264,300 Mt (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
195
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Communications :: CHAD
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total subscriptions: 23,600
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: less than 1 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
177total: 5.3 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 46 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
115general assessment: inadequate system of radiotelephone communication stations with high maintenance costs and low telephone density
domestic: fixed-line connections for less than 1 per 100 persons coupled with mobile-cellular subscribership base of only about 35 per 100 persons
international: country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)
1 state-owned TV station; state-owned radio network, Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne (RNT), operates national and regional stations; about 10 private radio stations; some stations rebroadcast programs from international broadcasters (2007)
AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2001)
1 (2001)
.td
total: 273,900
percent of population: 2.4% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
148
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Transportation :: CHAD
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59 (2013)
country comparison to the world:
82total: 9
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 4
1,524 to 2,437 m: 2
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
total: 50
over 3,047 m: 1
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 14
914 to 1,523 m: 22
under 914 m:
11 (2013)
oil 582 km (2013)
total: 40,000 km
note: consists of 25,000 km of national and regional roads and 15,000 km of local roads; 206 km of urban roads are paved (2011)
country comparison to the world:
87(Chari and Legone Rivers are navigable only in wet season) (2012)
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Military :: CHAD
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Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale du Tchad, ANT): Ground Forces (l'Armee de Terre, AdT), Chadian Air Force (l'Armee de l'Air Tchadienne, AAT), National Gendarmerie, National and Nomadic Guard of Chad (GNNT) (2013)
20 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service, with a 3-year service obligation; 18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary service; no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a parent or guardian; women are subject to 1 year of compulsory military or civic service at age 21; while provisions for military service have not been repealed, they have never been fully implemented (2015)
males age 16-49: 2,090,244
females age 16-49: 2,441,321 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 1,183,242
females age 16-49: 1,395,811 (2010 est.)
male: 128,723
female: 128,244 (2010 est.)
NA% (2012)
2.28% of GDP (2011)
NA% (2010)
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Transnational Issues :: CHAD
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since 2003, ad hoc armed militia groups and the Sudanese military have driven hundreds of thousands of Darfur residents into Chad; Chad wishes to be a helpful mediator in resolving the Darfur conflict, and in 2010 established a joint border monitoring force with Sudan, which has helped to reduce cross-border banditry and violence; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries
refugees (country of origin): 367,229 (Sudan); 66,233 (Central African Republic); 14,586 (Nigeria) (2015)
IDPs: 111,000 (majority are in the east) (2015)