A landlocked country in north-central Africa, Chad is about 85% the size of Alaska. Its neighbors are Niger, Libya, the Sudan, the Central African Republic, Cameroon, and Nigeria. Lake Chad, from which the country gets its name, lies on the western border with Niger and Nigeria. In the north is a desert that runs into the Sahara.
Country lead by President: Idriss Déby (1990)
Prime Minister: Delwa Kassire Koumakoye (2007)
Population
9,944,201 (growth rate: 2.9%); birth rate: 45.7/1000; infant mortality rate: 91.5/1000; life expectancy: 47.5; density per sq mi: 20
Land Area
486,178 sq mi (1,259,201 sq km); total area: 495,755 sq mi (1,284,000 sq km)
Monetary unit
CFA Franc Language
French, Arabic (both official); Sara; more than 120 languages and dialects
Ethnicity 200 distinct groups. North and center, mostly Muslim: Arabs, Gorane (Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba. South, mostly Christian or animist: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang, Moussei, Massa
Religion Islam 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7%
Transportation Railways: 0 km. Highways: total: 33,400 km; paved: 267 km; unpaved: 33,133 km (1999 est.). Waterways: Chari and Legone rivers are navigable only in wet season (2002). Ports and harbors: none. Airports: 50 (2004 est.).
