Chad is a landlocked country located in north-central Africa. It shares borders with Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west. The capital city is N'Djamena, and the official languages are French and Arabic.

Chad has a population of over 16 million people, with more than 200 ethnic groups. The majority of the population is Muslim, with Christianity and traditional African religions also practiced.

Chad's economy is largely based on agriculture and livestock, with cotton, cattle, and gum arabic being major exports. The country also has significant oil reserves, with oil and gas accounting for a large portion of its export earnings.

Chad has faced many challenges, including political instability and ongoing conflict. The country has experienced several coups and civil wars since gaining independence from France in 1960. The most recent conflict began in 2005 when rebels from the eastern region of the country launched an uprising against the government. The conflict was eventually resolved through a peace agreement signed in 2010, but the situation remains fragile.

The country also faces challenges related to poverty, food insecurity, and access to education and healthcare. Chad is among the poorest countries in the world, with a high infant mortality rate and low literacy rates.

Despite these challenges, Chad has made progress in recent years. The government has implemented economic reforms aimed at improving the business environment and promoting foreign investment. Efforts are also underway to promote peace and stability in the country and improve access to education and healthcare.

National holiday
Independence Day, 11 August (1960)

Telephone Code
235

Local Emergency Phone
Ambulance: 997; Fire: 998; Police: 999

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Chad is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.


Climate
Tropical in south, desert in north

Currency (Code)
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Central francs (Central African CFA franc, XAF)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, D, E, F

Major Languages
French , Arabic, Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects

Major Religions
Muslim 52.1%, Protestant 23.9%, Roman Catholic 20%, animist 0.3%, other Christian 0.2%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Chad National Museum; Zakouma National Park; Lakes of Ounianga; Ennedi Massif

Major Sports
Soccer, boxing, wrestling

Cultural Practices
All photography requires a government permit. Taking photos of military sites, official buildings, and airports is strictly prohibited, even with a permit.

Tipping Guidelines
Service charges are not usually included in restaurants and tips of 10% for waiters are acceptable. Taxi fares should be rounded up if the service is good.

Souvenirs
Camel-hair carpets, leather goods, native beaded and silver jewelry, tribal masks and knives, decorated calabash gourds, pottery, embroidered cotton cloth

Traditional Cuisine
Daraba — a stew made with chopped okra, mixed vegetables, tomatoes, stock cubes, and smooth peanut butter; usually served with rice, boiled cassava, or boiled plantains

Geography
Area
total: 1.284 million sq km
land: 1,259,200 sq km
water: 24,800 sq km

Climate
tropical in south, desert in north

Natural resources
petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt

People and Society
Population
18,523,165 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Sara (Ngambaye/Sara/Madjingaye/Mbaye) 30.5%, Kanembu/Bornu/Buduma 9.8%, Arab 9.7%, Wadai/Maba/Masalit/Mimi 7%, Gorane 5.8%, Masa/Musseye/Musgum 4.9%, Bulala/Medogo/Kuka 3.7%, Marba/Lele/Mesme 3.5%, Mundang 2.7%, Bidiyo/Migaama/Kenga/Dangleat 2.5%, Dadjo/Kibet/Muro 2.4%, Tupuri/Kera 2%, Gabri/Kabalaye/Nanchere/Somrai 2%, Fulani/Fulbe/Bodore 1.8%, Karo/Zime/Peve 1.3%, Baguirmi/Barma 1.2%, Zaghawa/Bideyat/Kobe 1.1%, Tama/Assongori/Mararit 1.1%, Mesmedje/Massalat/Kadjakse 0.8%, other Chadian ethnicities 3.4%, Chadians of foreign ethnicities 0.9%, foreign nationals 0.3%, unspecified 1.7% (2014-15 est.)

Languages
French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects

Religions
Muslim 52.1%, Protestant 23.9%, Roman Catholic 20%, animist 0.3%, other Christian 0.2%, none 2.8%, unspecified 0.7% (2014-15 est.)

Population growth rate
3.05% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

Capital
name: N'Djamena

Economy
Economic overview
primarily oil-based economy, vulnerable to regional competition and international price shocks; increasing extreme poverty and minimal human capital capacities; one of the most environmentally disrupted economies; high maternal and infant mortality rates destabilizing labor force potentials

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$24.49 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$1,400 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
sorghum, groundnuts, millet, yams, cereals, sugar cane, beef, maize, cotton, cassava

Industries
oil, cotton textiles, brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials

Exports
$2.464 billion (2017 est.)

Exports - partners
China 32%, United Arab Emirates 21%, India 19%, United States 10%, France 6%, Germany 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
crude petroleum, gold, livestock, sesame seeds, gum arabic, insect resins (2019)

Imports
$2.16 billion (2017 est.)

Imports - partners
China 29%, United Arab Emirates 16%, France 10%, United States 8%, India 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
delivery trucks, paints, packaged medicines, aircraft, broadcasting equipment (2019)