Chad is a landlocked country in north-central Africa, bordered by Libya, Sudan, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger. It is known for the vast Sahara Desert in its north and the fertile shores of Lake Chad in the west. The country has a rich mix of over 200 ethnic groups and languages, making it one of Africa's most culturally diverse nations.
- Capital
- N'Djamena
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- Middle Africa
- Area
- 1,284,000 km²
- Coordinates
- 15° N, 19° E
Country facts
- Chad gained independence from France on August 11, 1960.
- Lake Chad, which borders the country to the west, has shrunk dramatically over recent decades due to climate change and irrigation demands.
- The Tibesti Mountains in northern Chad contain the highest peak in the Sahara, Emi Koussi.
- Arabic and French are both official languages of Chad.
- The country is named after Lake Chad, whose name likely comes from the Kanuri word 'tsade,' meaning a large body of water.
Capital facts
- N'Djamena is situated at the confluence of the Chari and Logone rivers, near the border with Cameroon.
- The city was founded as Fort-Lamy by French colonial forces in 1900 and renamed N'Djamena after independence in 1973.
- The Grand Mosque of N'Djamena is one of the most prominent landmarks in the city.
- N'Djamena serves as the political, economic, and cultural hub of Chad.
- The National Museum of Chad, located in the capital, houses archaeological finds including fossils of some of the earliest known human ancestors.