Chad

I

Introduction

Chad, officially Republic of Chad, landlocked republic in north-central Africa, bounded on the north by Libya, on the east by Sudan, on the south by the Central African Republic, and on the west by Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger. A former French colony, Chad gained full independence on August 11, 1960. It has an area of 1,284,000 sq km (495,755 sq mi). The capital of Chad is N’Djamena (formerly Fort-Lamy).

II

Land and Resources

Chad’s terrain is dominated by the low-lying Lake Chad Basin (elevation about 250 m/820 ft), which rises gradually to mountains and plateaux on the north, east, and south. In the east, heights of more than 910 m (3,000 ft) are attained in the Ennedi and Wadai plateaux. The greatest elevations are reached in the Tibesti in the north, with a maximum height of 3,415 m (11,204 ft) at Emi Koussi. The northern half of the republic lies in the Sahara.

A

Rivers and Lakes

The only important rivers, the Logone and Chari (Shari), are located in the south-west and flow into Lake Chad. The lake doubles in size during the rainy season but a combination of extended drought and increased use of the lake’s waters for irrigation and other purposes means that its level is falling.

B

Climate

Chad has a tropical climate. The north is hot and arid and desert conditions prevail. The central area has three seasons: hot from March to July; rainy from July to October, with rainfall averaging between 250 and 750 mm (10 and 30 in); and cool during the remaining months. The south has similar seasons but receives adequate rainfall for cultivation: about 1,145 mm (45 in) of rain between July and October.