Chad

Geography

Chad is a landlocked country on the southern edge of the Sahara in Central Africa. The land has a total area of 1,284,000 km² (495,755 mi²). This land area is approximately 185% of the area of Texas. Chad is thus one of the largest countries in Africa and the 21st biggest in the world. With 13 inhabitants per km² it is one of the most sparsely populated countries on earth. A considerable share of the inhabitants (76%) belongs to the rural population.

Chad lies at an average elevation of 543 meters above sea level. The highest mountain peak (Emi Koussi) is at 3,415 meters. There is no access to the open sea. There are direct national borders with the six neighboring countries Cameroon, Central Africa, Libya, Niger, Nigeria and South Sudan. The distance between New York City and the Capital N'Djamena is about 9,060 km (5,630 mi).

The climate in Chad

In Chad, as in all equatorial countries, there is a tropical climate. Unlike in Europe or the USA, there is almost no difference between the seasons. The daylight hours vary little, and the temperature differences between summer and winter are also lower. Depending on the season, the average daytime temperatures range between 32 and 40 degrees. In some parts of the country, the temperature rises to 44 °C. In the colder months, and depending in the region, the temperature drops to 15 °C in a month's average.

• Detailed climate data for Chad and 3 individual regions

Languages

Mother tongue	Distribution
Sara	27.7 %
Arabic	12.3 %
Mayo-kebbi	11.5 %
Kanem-bornu	9.0 %
Ouaddai	8.7 %
Hadjarai	6.7 %
Tandjile	6.5 %
Gorane	6.2 %
French	2.3 %
other	9.1 %

Religions

Religion	Distribution
Animists	7.3%
Catholics	20.1%
Protestants	14.2%
Muslims	53.1%
nondenominational	3.1%
other	2.2%

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Economy

GDP:	11.78 bn $
Exportations:	2,464.0 M $
Importations:	2,160.0 M $
› Unemployment rate:	1.4 %
› Inflation rate:	-0.77 %
› Corruption index:	19 (very bad)
› Energy consumption:	188.5 M kWh

Due to its political and financial situation, Chad is considered one of the least developed countries in the world and is also one of the heavily indebted poor countries.

In terms of revenues, it still ranks 183rd in the world and, with an average annual income of 640 USD is one of the low-income countries.

Chad is considered one of the most dangerous countries worldwide.

Land use

40% Agricultural areas:	509,234 km²
3% Forest:	44,041 km²
2% Water areas:	24,800 km²
57% Others:	730,724 km²

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Transport

Roadways:	40,000 km
Waterways:	12,400 km
› Airports:	1