Chad is an independent landlocked country in Central Africa.
Its Neighbours are Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Libya to the north, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west.
A landlocked country as the name suggests is a country that is not bordered by any sea or Ocean.
Other landlocked countries in Africa are Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Sudan Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Botswana, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Niger, and Swaziland.
Chad It is the fifth largest country in Africa and one of the poorest countries in the world.
Archaeological findings in the country suggest that the country have been inhabited as far back as 500 B.C.
Chad has several regions: an arid Sahelian belt in the center, a desert zone in the north, and a more fertile Sudanian Savanna zone in the south.
The landlocked country was conquered by France and was subsequently added to French Equatorial Africa in 1920.
The country gained its independence under the leadership of François Tombalbaye in 1960.
The surface area of Chad is 1.284 million km² making it the 21st largest country in the world, it is slightly larger than the European countries of Germany, Finland and Poland combined.
There are about 120 languages spoken in Chad, but the official languages are French and Arabic, other indigenous languages spoken in the country are Goundo, Kim, Moundang, Toupouri,Bua, Niellim, Gula Iro, Maba, Massalit, Karanga, Kendeje, Marfa, Massalat, Surbakhal, Kibet, Runga, Tedaga, Dazaga, Kanembu, Zaghawa, and Bernde.
Chad is home to the Zakouma National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located on an immense plain, the national park has around 226 documented bird species it is an ideal place for the bird watchers.
Because of its ethnic diversity the country has been nicknamed the babel of the world, there are about 200 different ethnic groups in the country and the largest are: Sara, Arab, Kanembu, Masalit people, Gorane, Masa, Musseye, Musgum, Naba, and Fulani.
According to a January 1st, 2017 estimates, the population of the landlocked country is 14,739,485 people. Islam constitutes 51.8% of the population, Christianity constitutes 43.8%, and Animism constitutes 0.6% while the other 3.5% professes no religion.
The tallest mountain in Chad is the Emi Koussi, standing at 11,302 ft. it extends to Neighbouring Libya. Other notable mountains include the Toussidé, 3,315 m, Tarso Voon, Trou au Natron, Bikku Bitti 2,266 m, Tarso Toon, Tarso Emi Chi, Tarso Tieroko, Tarso,Yega,Timi and Ehi Yéy.
The capital and the largest city in Chad is N’Djamena. It was founded as Fort-Lamy by French commander Émile Gentil on May 29, 1900, and named after Amédée-François Lamy, an army officer who had been killed in the Battle of Kousséri a few days earlier. Other notable cities are Moundou, Abéché, Sarh, Bongor, Am Timan, Kelo Chad, Pala and Mongo.
Some of the most important archeological sites in Africa can be found mainly in the Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti Region; some date earlier than 2000 BC.
Coincidentally, the flag of Chad is the same as that of the flag of Romania, although one has a darker blue.
Though a landlocked country, there are about 10 rivers flowing inside the country the longest of which is Logone River, it covers 1,000 km others are Chari River 949 km, Ouham River 676 km, Bahr Aouk River 650 km, Mayo Kébbi 238 km, and the Batha River.
A series of lakes located in North-Eastern Chad called the Lakes of Ounianga was added as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2012.
Sahara Desert which is the world’s largest hot desert extends to the northern part of Chad. The desert is one of the harshest environment on earth.
Chad is home to an array of wild animals, there are about 134 species of mammals, 509 species of birds.
The country derives its name from the magnifying Lake Chad which used to be the fourth largest lake in Africa and 7th in the world. Due to the effect of global warming and climate change, low rainfall and increased water use, the lake has shrunk to less than 10 percent of its former size. This has affected fishing and irrigation based farming around the area.
Its main export partners are the United States of America, India, Japan, and China. It in turn imports goods like machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, and textiles. Its Main import partners are France, China, Cameroon, United States, India, Belgium and Italy. The currency of chad is the CFA Franc.
