Introduction
Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of ethnic warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually suppressed or came to terms with most political-military groups, settled a territorial dispute with Libya on terms favorable to Chad, drafted a democratic constitution, and held multiparty presidential elections in 1996 and 1997. In 1998, a new rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which sporadically flares up despite two peace agreements signed in 2002 and 2003 between the government and the rebels. Despite movement toward democratic reform, power remains in the hands of a northern ethnic oligarchy.
Location
Central Africa, south of Libya
Geographic coordinates
15 00 N, 19 00 E
Area
total: 1.284 million sq km
water: 24,800 sq km
land: 1,259,200 sq km
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
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
tropical in south, desert in north
Terrain
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
petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)
Irrigated land
200 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards
hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues
Environment - current issues
inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Population
9,538,544 (July 2004 est.)