World Facts Index
 Chad, part
of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of civil warfare
as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally 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 the rebels. In 2005, new rebel groups
emerged in western Sudan and made probing attacks into eastern Chad, despite
signing peace agreements in December 2006 and October 2007. Power remains in the
hands of an ethnic minority. 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, and the capital experienced a significant rebel threat in early
2008.
Geography of Chad
|
Location:
|
Central Africa, south of
Libya |
|
Coordinates:
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15 00 N, 19 00 E |
|
Area:
|
total: 1.284 million
sq km
water: 24,800 sq km
land: 1,259,200 sq km |
|
Area comparative:
|
slightly more than three
times the size of California |
|
Land boundaries:
|
total: 5,968 km
border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic
1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km |
|
Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked) |
|
Maritime claims:
|
none (landlocked) |
|
Climate:
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tropical in south, desert
in north |
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Terrain:
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broad, arid plains in
center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south |
|
Elevation extremes:
|
lowest point:
Djourab Depression 160 m
highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m |
|
Natural resources:
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petroleum (unexploited but
exploration under way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad) |
|
Natural hazards:
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hot, dry, dusty harmattan
winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues |
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Environment - current issues:
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inadequate supplies of
potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to
soil and water pollution; desertification |
|
Geography - note:
|
landlocked; Lake Chad is
the most significant water body in the Sahel
|
More Geography
Population of Chad
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Population:
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10,111,337 (July 2008 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 47.9% (male 2,396,393/female 2,369,261)
15-64 years: 49.3% (male 2,355,940/female 2,550,535)
65 years and over: 2.7% (male 107,665/female 164,407) |
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Median age:
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16 years |
|
Growth rate:
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2.93% |
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Infant mortality:
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91.45 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 47.52 years
male: 45.88 years
female: 49.21 years |
|
Total fertility rate:
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6.25 children born/woman |
|
Nationality:
|
noun: Chadian(s)
adjective: Chadian |
|
Ethnic groups:
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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 |
|
Religions:
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Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%,
other 7% |
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Languages:
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French (official), Arabic (official), Sara
(in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects |
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read
and write French or Arabic
total population: 47.5%
male: 56%
female: 39.3%
|
Government
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of
Chad
local long form: Republique du Tchad
local short form: Tchad |
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Government type:
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republic |
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Capital:
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N'Djamena |
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Administrative divisions:
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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
note: instead of 14 prefectures, there may be a new administrative structure of 28
departments (departments, singular - department), and 1 city*; Assongha, Baguirmi, Bahr El
Gazal, Bahr Koh, Batha Oriental, Batha Occidental, Biltine, Borkou, Dababa, Ennedi, Guera,
Hadjer Lamis, Kabia, Kanem, Lac, Lac Iro, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul,
Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-Dallah, Monts de Lam, N'Djamena*, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile
Oriental, Tandjile Occidental, Tibesti |
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Independence:
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11 August 1960 (from France) |
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 11 August (1960) |
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Constitution:
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passed by referendum 31 March 1996 |
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Legal system:
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based on French civil law system and
Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal |
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY
Itno (since 4 December 1990)
head of government: Prime Minister Youssof Saleh ABBAS (since 16 April 2008)
cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on the
recommendation of the prime minister
elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year term; if no
candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving
the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last held 3 May 2006
(next to be held by May 2011); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president; percent of vote
- Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 64.7%, Delwa Kassire KOUMAKOYE 15.1%, Albert Pahimi
PADACKE 7.8%, Mahamat ABDOULAYE 7.1%, Brahim KOULAMALLAH 5.3%; note - a June
2005 national referendum altered the constitution removing presidential term
limits and permitting Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno to run for reelection |
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral according to constitution, consists of a
National Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
and a Senate (not yet created and size unspecified, members to serve six-year terms,
one-third of membership renewable every two years) |
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal
Courts; Magistrate Courts |
Economy
Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted by major
foreign direct investment projects in the oil sector that began in 2000. At
least 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and livestock
raising for its livelihood. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its
landlocked 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. A consortium led by two US companies has been
investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves - estimated at 1 billion
barrels - in southern Chad. Chinese companies are also expanding exploration
efforts and plan to build a refinery. The nation's total oil reserves have
been estimated to be 1.5 billion barrels. Oil production came on stream in
late 2003. Chad began to export oil in 2004. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic
provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings.
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GDP:
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$15.26 billion (2007 est.) |
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GDP growth rate:
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6% |
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GDP per capita:
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$1,500 |
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GDP composition by sector:
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agriculture: 33.5%
industry: 25.9%
services: 40.6% |
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Inflation rate:
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3% |
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture more than 80% (subsistence
farming, herding, and fishing) |
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Budget:
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revenues: $765.2 million
expenditures: $653.3 million |
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Electricity production by source:
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fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% |
|
Industries:
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oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer
brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials |
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Agriculture:
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cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice,
potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels |
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Exports:
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cotton, cattle, gum arabic |
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Export partners:
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US 82%, China 10.4%, Portugal 2.8% |
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Imports:
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machinery and transportation equipment,
industrial goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles |
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Import partners:
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France 21.5%, Cameroon 16.4%, US 12.3%, Belgium 5.6%,
Portugal 4.7%, Netherlands 4.5%, Saudi Arabia 4% |
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Currency:
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Communaute Financiere Africaine franc
(XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States |
SOURCES: The CIA World Factbook, U.S. Department of State, Area Handbook of the US Library of Congress
Copyright 2004 - 2008 worldfacts.us |