About
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 sporadically flares up despite several peace agreements
between the government and the rebels. In 2005 new rebel groups emerged in western Sudan and have made probing attacks into
eastern Chad. Power remains in the hands of an ethnic minority. In June 2005, President Idriss DEBY held a referendum
successfully removing constitutional term limits.
More...
Source: The World Factbook
Population: 9,826,419 (July 2005 est.)
Capital: N'Djamena
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120
different languages and dialects
Religions: Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7%
Government: republic
Climate: tropical in south, desert
in north
Terrain: broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in
northwest, lowlands in south
Geography: landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel
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
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. Over 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. The nation's total oil reserves have been estimated to be 2 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.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $1,900 (2005 est.)
GDP real growth: 14% (2005 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA
Internet country code: .td
Dial code: +235
Cities
Show map
Find a flight to any city in Chad
Local currency is the CFA Franc BEAC
Airlines flying to Chad
Did we get it wrong? Send us a line.: contact @ dohop.com
