Background:The Republic of Chad is the largest country of former French Equatorial Africa. Chad is a landlocked country with one of the world’s lowest population densities. It is situated in the heart of Africa and has borders with Cameroon in the south-west, Niger and Nigeria in the west, The Central African Republic in the south, Libya to the north and Sudan to the east. Chad’s topography is generally flat except for a range of hills along the eastern border and relatively high, barren mountains in the far north-west.
Location:Central Africa, south of Libya
Geographic coordinates:15 00 N, 19 00 E
Area:1.284 million sq km
Climate:Tropical in south, desert in north
Natural resources:Petroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)
Population:9,538,544(July 2004 est.)
Ethnic groups:200 distinct groups; in the north and center: Arabs, Gorane (Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba, most of whom are Muslim; in the south: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang, Moussei, Massa, most of whom are Christian or animist; about 1,000 French citizens live in Chad
Languages:French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects
Economy:Chad's primarily agricultural economy will be boosted by major oilfield and pipeline projects that began in 2000. Over 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and stock rising for their livelihood. Cotton, cattle, and gum Arabic provide the bulk of Chad's export earnings, but Chad will begin to export oil in 2004. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its land-locked position, high energy costs, and a history of instability.Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investment projects.
conventional long form:Republic of Chad
Government type:republic
Administrative divisions:14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile
Independence:11 August 1960 (from France)
Religions:Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7%
Natural resources: petroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)
