Chad (French: Tchad; Arabic: تشاد‎), officially the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, and Niger to the west. Due to its distance from the sea and its largely desert climate, the country is sometimes referred to as the "Dead Heart of Africa". Chad is divided into three major geographical regions: a desert zone in the north, an arid Sahelian belt in the centre and a more fertile Sudanese savanna zone in the south. Lake Chad, after which the country is named, is the largest wetland in Chad and the second largest in Africa. Chad's highest peak is the Emi Koussi in the Sahara, and N'Djamena, the capital, is the largest city. Chad is home to over 200 different ethnic and linguistic groups. French and Arabic are the official languages. Islam is the most widely practiced religion. Chad can mean several things, including: Chad, the African country. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chad. ... Image File history File links Chad_coa. ... Flag ratio: 2:3 The national flag of the Republic of Chad is a vertical tricolor consisting (left to right) of a blue, a yellow and a red field. ... The Coat of Arms of Chad was adopted in 1970. ... For other uses, see Motto (disambiguation). ... A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history, traditions and struggles of its people, recognized either by a countrys government as the official national song, or by convention through use by the people. ... La Tchadienne is the national anthem of Chad. ... Image File history File links LocationChad. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... Demographics of Chad, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands. ... NDjamena, «ehn JAHM uh nuh», population 721,000 (2005), is the capital of Chad. ... An official language is a language that is given a special legal status in the countries, states, and other territories. ... Arabic redirects here. ... A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ... Look up republic in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... List of Heads of State of Chad (Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office) Affiliations:- See also:- Chad Heads of Government of Chad Colonial Heads of Chad lists of incumbents Categories: Lists of office-holders ... Lieutenant General Idriss Déby Itno (born in Fada in 1952) is the President of Chad and the head of the Patriotic Salvation Movement. ... The Prime Minister is the Chadian head of government. ... is the 223rd day of the year (224th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... To help compare orders of magnitude of different surface areas  here is a list of areas between 1 million km² and 10 million km². See also areas of other orders of magnitude. ... This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... A percentage is a way of expressing a proportion, a ratio or a fraction as a whole number, by using 100 as the denominator. ... Map of countries by population for the year 2007 This is a list of countries ordered according to population. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... Population density by country, 2006 List of countries and dependencies by population density in inhabitants/km². The list includes sovereign states and self-governing dependent territories that are recognized by the United Nations. ... PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ... There are three lists of countries of the world sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year). ... Look up Per capita in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... This article includes two lists of countries of the world[1] sorted by their gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita, the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation in a given year divided by the average population for the same year. ... This page talks about Human Development Index, for other HDIs see HDI (disambiguation) World map indicating Human Development Index (2007). ... This talks about the countries in the Human Development Index, for information on the Human Development Index, please Click Here World map indicating Human Development Index (2007) (Colour-blind compliant map) For red-green color vision problems. ... ISO 4217 Code XAF User(s) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon Pegged with euro = CFA655. ... ISO 4217 is the international standard describing three letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... Time zones of Africa: Striped colours indicate countries observing daylight saving West Africa Time, or WAT, is a time zone used in western and west-central Africa (though not in countries west of Benin, which instead use GMT). ... UTC redirects here. ... Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... UTC redirects here. ... A country code top-level domain (ccTLD) is a top-level domain used and reserved for a country or a dependent territory. ... .td is the Internet country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Chad. ... This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E.164. ... Arabic redirects here. ... Landlocked countries of the world according to The World Factbook. ... This article is about arid terrain. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... This article is about grassland. ... Lake Chad (in French: Lac Tchad) is a large, shallow lake in Africa. ... A subtropical wetland in Florida, USA, with an endangered American Crocodile. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... Emi Koussi is a high volcano that lies at the south end of the Tibesti Mountains in the central Sahara of northern Chad. ... NDjamena, «ehn JAHM uh nuh», population 721,000 (2005), is the capital of Chad. ... This is an incomplete list of ethnic groups in Chad (see also Demographics of Chad). ... Chad has two official languages, French and literary Arabic, and over 120 indigenous languages. ... For people named Islam, see Islam (name). ...

Beginning in the 7th millennium BC, human populations moved into the Chadian basin in great numbers. By the end of the 1st millennium BC, a series of states and empires rose and fell in Chad's Sahelian strip, each focused on controlling the trans-Saharan trade routes that passed through the region. France conquered the territory by 1920 and incorporated it as part of French Equatorial Africa. In 1960 Chad obtained independence under the leadership of François Tombalbaye. Resentment towards his policies in the Muslim north culminated in the eruption of a long-lasting civil war in 1965. In 1979 the rebels conquered the capital and put an end to the south's hegemony. However, the rebel commanders fought amongst themselves until Hissène Habré defeated his rivals. He was overthrown in 1990 by his general Idriss Déby. Recently, the Darfur crisis in Sudan has spilt over the border and destabilised the nation. The Great Mosque of Djenné, founded in 800, an important trading base, now a World Heritage Site Trans-Saharan trade, refers to trade across the Sahara between Mediterranean countries and West Africa. ... Location of French Equatorial Africa. ... François (Ngarta) Tombalbaye (June 15, 1918 - April 13, 1975) was the first president of Chad. ... The president François Tombalbaye faced a task of considerable magnitude when Chad became a sovereign state in 1960. ... The Transitional Government of National Unity (Gouvernement dUnion Nationale de Transition or GUNT) was the coalition government of armed groups that nominally ruled Chad from 1979 to 1982, during the most anarchic phase of the long-going civil war that began in 1965. ... Hissène Habré (born 1942), also spelled Hissen Habré, was the leader of Chad from 1982 until he was deposed in 1990. ... Lieutenant General Idriss Déby Itno (born in Fada in 1952) is the President of Chad and the head of the Patriotic Salvation Movement. ... Combatants JEM factions NRF alliance Janjaweed SLM (Minnawi)  Sudan African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Commanders Ibrahim Khalil Ahmed Diraige Omar al-Bashir Minni Minnawi Luke Aprezi Strength N/A N/A 7,000 The Darfur conflict is a crisis in the... Combatants United Front for Democratic Change Janjaweed Allegedly supported by:  Sudan  Chad, Alliance of Revolutionary Forces of West Sudan Commanders Mohammed Nour (UFDC) Idriss Déby Strength Unknown UFDC forces[1] ~23,000 est. ...

While many political parties are active, power lies firmly in the hands of President Déby and his political party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement. Chad remains plagued by political violence and recurrent attempted coups d'état, and is one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world; most Chadians live in poverty as subsistence herders and farmers. Since 2003 crude oil has become the country's primary source of export earnings, superseding the traditional cotton industry. A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues with the aim to participate in power, usually by participating in elections. ... Politics of Chad Categories: Politics stubs | Chad political parties ... Coup redirects here. ... Map of countries by 2006 GDP (nominal) per capita (IMF, October 2007). ... Overview of the index of perception of corruption, 2006 Since 1995, Transparency International has published an annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)[1] ordering the countries of the world according to the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians.[2] The organization defines corruption as... Petro redirects here. ... For other uses, see Cotton (disambiguation). ...

History

Main article: History of Chad

In the 7th millennium BC, ecological conditions in the northern half of Chadian territory favored human settlement, and the region experienced a strong population increase. Some of the most important African archaeological sites are found in Chad, mainly in the Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti Region; some date to earlier than 2,000 BC.^[1][2] For more than 2000 years, the Chadian Basin has been inhabited by agricultural and sedentary peoples. The region became a crossroads of civilizations. The earliest of these were the legendary Sao, known from artifacts and oral histories. The Sao fell to the Kanem Empire,^[3][4] the first and longest-lasting of the empires that developed in Chad's Sahelian strip by the end of the 1st millennium AD. The power of Kanem and its successors was based on control of the trans-Saharan trade routes that passed through the region.^[2] These states, at least tacitly Muslim, never extended their control to the southern grasslands except to raid for slaves.^[5] // The territory now known as Chad possesses some of the richest archaeological sites in Africa. ... The continent of Africa has the longest record of human activity of any part of the world and along with its geographical extent, it contains an enormous archaeological resource. ... The Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti (BET) is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Faya-Largeau. ... The Sao or So were an African civilisation that flourished from ca. ... The Kanem Empire existed in modern Chad and Libya. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... The Great Mosque of Djenné, founded in 800, an important trading base, now a World Heritage Site Trans-Saharan trade, refers to trade across the Sahara between Mediterranean countries and West Africa. ... Approximately 40% of all Africans are Muslims, in contrast to another 40% being Christians and 20% being non-religious or adherents to African religions. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Islam and slavery. ...

French colonial expansion led to the creation of the Terretorie Military des Pays et Protectorats du Tchad in 1900. By 1920, France had secured full control of the colony and incorporated it as part of French Equatorial Africa.^[6] French rule in Chad was characterised by an absence of policies to unify the territory and sluggish modernisation. The French primarily viewed the colony as an unimportant source of untrained labour and raw cotton; France introduced large-scale cotton production in 1929. The colonial administration in Chad was critically understaffed and had to rely on the dregs of the French civil service. Only the south was governed effectively; French presence in the north and east was nominal. The educational system suffered from this neglect.^[2][7] After World War II, France granted Chad the status of overseas territory and its inhabitants the right to elect representatives to the French National Assembly and a Chadian assembly. The largest political party was the Chadian Progressive Party (PPT), based in the southern half of the colony. Chad was granted independence on August 11, 1960 with the PPT's leader, François Tombalbaye, as its first president.^[8][2][9] For the French colonial postage stamps, see French Colonies. ... Location of French Equatorial Africa. ... European interest in Africa generally grew during the 19th century. ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The French Overseas Departments and Territories (French: départements doutre-mer and collectivités doutre-mer or DOM-COM) consist broadly of French-administered territories outside of Europe. ... The Palais Bourbon, front The French National Assembly (French: ) is one of the two houses of the bicameral Parliament of France under the Fifth Republic. ... The National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) is the parliament of Chad. ... The Chadian Progressive Party (Parti Progressiste Tchadien or PPT) was the first African political party created in Chad, active from 1946 to 1973. ... is the 223rd day of the year (224th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... François (Ngarta) Tombalbaye (June 15, 1918 - April 13, 1975) was the first president of Chad. ... List of Heads of State of Chad (Dates in italics indicate de facto continuation of office) Affiliations:- See also:- Chad Heads of Government of Chad Colonial Heads of Chad lists of incumbents Categories: Lists of office-holders ...

By defeating and killing Rabih az-Zubayr on April 22, 1900, at the Battle of Kousséri, France removed a major obstacle to its colonisation of Chad.

15,000 Chadian soldiers fought for Free France during WWII.^[10]

Two years later, Tombalbaye banned opposition parties and established a one-party system. Tombalbaye's autocratic rule and insensitive mismanagement exacerbated interethnic tensions. In 1965 Muslims began a civil war. Tombalbaye was overthrown and killed in 1975,^[11] but the insurgency continued. In 1979 the rebel factions conquered the capital, and all central authority in the country collapsed. Armed factions, many from the north's rebellion, contended for power.^[12][13] The disintegration of Chad caused the collapse of France's position in the country. Libya moved to fill the power vacuum and became involved in Chad's civil war.^[14] Libya's adventure ended in disaster in 1987; the French-supported president, Hissène Habré, evoked a united response from Chadians of a kind never seen before^[15] and forced the Libyan army off Chadian soil.^[16] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 393 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (666 × 1015 pixel, file size: 54 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Tête de Rabah, trophée dun tirailleur de la Mission dAfrique Centrale, au soir du 22 avril 1900. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 393 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (666 × 1015 pixel, file size: 54 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Tête de Rabah, trophée dun tirailleur de la Mission dAfrique Centrale, au soir du 22 avril 1900. ... Rabih az-Zubayr was a Sudanese warlord who established a powerful kingdom west of Lake Chad, in todays Chad. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Äž: For the film, see: 1900 (film). ... The battle of Kousséri originates From French plans to occupy the Chari-Baguirmi region and so, in 1899–1900, three armed expeditions were organized, one proceeding north from Congo, one east from Niger and another south from Algeria. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 695 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3286 × 2836 pixel, file size: 4. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 695 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (3286 × 2836 pixel, file size: 4. ... Flag De Jure territory Capital Paris Capital-in-exile London, Algiers Government Republic Leader Charles de Gaulle Historical era World War II  - de Gaulles appeal June 18, 1940  - Liberation of Paris August, 1944 The Free French Forces (French: , FFL) were French fighters in World War II, who decided to... The Transitional Government of National Unity (Gouvernement dUnion Nationale de Transition or GUNT) was the coalition government of armed groups that nominally ruled Chad from 1979 to 1982, during the most anarchic phase of the long-going civil war that began in 1965. ... The Chadian coup of 1975 was in considerable part generated by the growing distrust of the President of Chad, François Tombalbaye, for the army. ... Combatants Libya GUNT Chad France Zaire Commanders Muammar al-Gaddafi Goukouni Oueddei Hissène Habré Casualties Thousands Unknown The Chadian-Libyan conflict was a state of sporadic warfare events in Chad between 1978 and 1987, opposing Libya and Chad; but Libyan involvement in Chads internal affairs predated 1978 and... Combatants Libya Chad Commanders Muammar al-Gaddafi Hissène Habré Hassan Djamous Strength 90,000[1] 28,000[2] Casualties 7,500 killed 1,000 PoW 800 tanks and APCs 28 aircraft[3] 1,000 killed[3] The Toyota War is the name commonly given to the last phase of... Hissène Habré (born 1942), also spelled Hissen Habré, was the leader of Chad from 1982 until he was deposed in 1990. ...

Habré consolidated his dictatorship through a power system that relied on corruption and violence; an estimated 40,000 people were killed under his rule.^[17][18] The president favoured his own Daza ethnic group and discriminated against his former allies, the Zaghawa. His general, Idriss Déby, overthrew him in 1990.^[19] The Daza are a group of nomadic people living in and near the southern Sahara desert, in Niger and Chad. ... Zaghawa is an African ethnic group, mainly living in eastern Chad and western Sudan, including the Darfur province of Sudan. ... Lieutenant General Idriss Déby Itno (born in Fada in 1952) is the President of Chad and the head of the Patriotic Salvation Movement. ...

Déby attempted to reconcile the rebel groups and reintroduced multiparty politics. Chadians approved a new constitution by referendum, and in 1996, Déby easily won a competitive presidential election. He won a second term five years later.^[20] Oil exploitation began in Chad in 2003, bringing with it hopes that Chad would at last have some chances of peace and prosperity. Instead, internal dissent worsened, and a new civil war broke out. Déby unilaterally modified the constitution to remove the two-term limit on the presidency; this caused an uproar among the civil society and opposition parties.^[21] In 2006 Déby won a third mandate in elections that the opposition boycotted. Ethnic violence in eastern Chad has increased; the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has warned that a genocide like that in Darfur may yet occur in Chad.^[22] The Constitution of Chad is the supreme law of the Republic of Chad. ... The Chadian constitutional referendum of 1996 was designed to approve or repel on March 31, 1996, through a popular consultation a constitutional draft meant to definitively replace the Transitional Charter estabilished by the Sovereign National Conference in 1993. ... The elections that took place in two rounds between June 2 and July 3 1996 were the first in the history of Chad since independence. ... The President Idriss Déby presented himself for a second mandate. ... Petro redirects here. ... Combatants United Front for Democratic Change Janjaweed Allegedly supported by:  Sudan  Chad, Alliance of Revolutionary Forces of West Sudan Commanders Mohammed Nour (UFDC) Idriss Déby Strength Unknown UFDC forces[1] ~23,000 est. ... On 6 June 2005 the Chadian voters were called to pronounce themselves through a referendum on the revision of the Constitution originally approved on 31 March 1996. ... The 2006 Chad presidential election will take place on May 3. ... Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) (established December 14, 1950) protects and supports refugees at the request of a government or the United Nations and assists in their return or resettlement. ... For other uses, see Genocide (disambiguation). ... Combatants JEM factions NRF alliance Janjaweed SLM (Minnawi)  Sudan African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) Commanders Ibrahim Khalil Ahmed Diraige Omar al-Bashir Minni Minnawi Luke Aprezi Strength N/A N/A 7,000 The Darfur conflict is a crisis in the...

In 2006 and in 2008 rebel forces have attempted to take the capital by force, but have on both circumstances failed.^[23]

Politics and government

Main article: Politics of Chad

See also: Foreign relations of Chad

The president of Chad, Idriss Déby

Chad's constitution provides for a strong executive branch headed by a president who dominates the political system. The president has the power to appoint the prime minister and the cabinet, and exercises considerable influence over appointments of judges, generals, provincial officials and heads of Chad's para-statal firms. In cases of grave and immediate threat, the president, in consultation with the National Assembly, may declare a state of emergency. The president is directly elected by popular vote for a five-year term; in 2005 constitutional term limits were removed.^[24] This removal allows a president to remain in power beyond the previous two-term limit.^[24] Most of Déby's key advisers are members of the Zaghawa ethnic group, although southern and opposition personalities are represented in government.^[25][26] Corruption is rife at all levels; Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index for 2005 named Chad the most corrupt country in the world,^[27] and it has fared only slightly better in the following years.^[28] In 2007, it scored 1.8 out of 10 on the Corruption Perceptions Index (with 10 being the least corrupt). Only Tonga, Uzbekistan, Haiti, Iraq, Myanmar, and Somalia scored lower.^[29] Critics of President Déby have accused him of cronyism and tribalism.^[30] A strong executive branch headed by President Deby dominates the Chadian political system. ... Chad is officially non-aligned but has close relations with France, the former colonial power, and other members of the Western community. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Lieutenant General Idriss Déby Itno (born in Fada in 1952) is the President of Chad and the head of the Patriotic Salvation Movement. ... The Prime Minister is the Chadian head of government. ... The National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) is the parliament of Chad. ... For other uses, see State of emergency (disambiguation). ... Elections in Chad gives information on election and election results in Chad. ... Transparency International (TI) is an international organisation addressing corruption, including, but not limited to, political corruption. ... Overview of the index of perception of corruption, 2006 Since 1995, Transparency International has published an annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)[1] ordering the countries of the world according to the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians.[2] The organization defines corruption as... Overview of the index of perception of corruption, 2006 Since 1995, Transparency International has published an annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI)[1] ordering the countries of the world according to the degree to which corruption is perceived to exist among public officials and politicians.[2] The organization defines corruption as...

Chad's legal system is based on French civil law and Chadian customary law where the latter does not interfere with public order or constitutional guarantees of equality. Despite the constitution's guarantee of judicial independence, the president names most key judicial officials. The legal system's highest jurisdictions, the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Council, have become fully operational since 2000. The Supreme Court is made up of a chief justice, named by the president, and 15 councillors, appointed for life by the president and the National Assembly. The Constitutional Court is headed by nine judges elected to nine-year terms. It has the power to review legislation, treaties and international agreements prior to their adoption.^[26][25] In academic terms, French law can be divided into two main categories: private law (droit privé) and public law (droit public). Private law includes, in particular: civil law (droit civil); and criminal law (droit pénal). Public law includes, in particular: administrative law (droit administratif); and constitutional law (droit constitutionnel... The Supreme Court (French Cour Suprême) is the highest jurisdiction of Chad in judiciary, administrative and tributary fields. ... The Constitutional Council of Chad judges the constitutionality of legislation and treaties in Chad. ...

The National Assembly makes legislation. The body consists of 155 members elected for four-year terms who meet three times per year. The Assembly holds regular sessions twice a year, starting in March and October, and can hold special sessions when called by the prime minister. Deputies elect a National Assembly president every two years. The president must sign or reject newly passed laws within 15 days. The National Assembly must approve the prime minister's plan of government and may force the prime minister to resign through a majority vote of no confidence. However, if the National Assembly rejects the executive branch's programme twice in one year, the president may disband the Assembly and call for new legislative elections. In practice, the president exercises considerable influence over the National Assembly through his party, the Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), which holds a large majority.^[25] The National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) is the parliament of Chad. ... Politics of Chad Categories: Politics stubs | Chad political parties ...

Until the legalisation of opposition parties in 1992, Déby's MPS was the sole legal party in Chad.^[25] Since, 78 registered political parties have become active.^[31] In 2005, opposition parties and human rights organisations supported the boycott of the constitutional referendum that allowed Déby to stand for re-election for a third term^[32] amid reports of widespread irregularities in voter registration and government censorship of independent media outlets during the campaign.^[33] Correspondents judged the 2006 presidential elections a mere formality, as the opposition deemed the polls a farce and boycotted.^[34] A political party is a political organization subscribing to a certain ideology or formed around very special issues with the aim to participate in power, usually by participating in elections. ...

Déby faces armed opposition from groups who are deeply divided by leadership clashes but united in their intention to overthrow him.^[35] These forces stormed the capital on April 13, 2006, but were ultimately repelled. Chad's greatest foreign influence is France, which maintains 1,000 troops in the country. Déby relies on the French to help repel the rebels, and France gives the Chadian army logistical and intelligence support for fear of a complete collapse of regional stability.^[36] Nevertheless, Franco-Chadian relations were soured by the granting of oil drilling rights to the American Exxon company in 1999.^[37] Combatants United Front for Democratic Change Chad military Casualties 400 deaths, 387 injured on both sides[1] The Battle of NDjamena describes several battles that have taken place at NDjamena, the capital of Chad. ... is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Under President Hissein Habre, members of Gourane, Zaghawa, Kanembou, Hadjerai, and Massa ethnic groups dominated the military of Chad. ... For other uses, see Exon (disambiguation). ...

Educators face considerable challenges due to the nation's dispersed population and a certain degree of reluctance on the part of parents to send their children to school. Although attendance is compulsory, only 68% of boys continue past primary school, and more than half of the population is illiterate. Higher education is provided at the University of N'Djamena.^[25][38] The University of NDjamena is the leading institution of higher education in Chad. ...

Humanitarian situation

According to the United Nations, Chad has been affected by a humanitarian crisis since at least 2001. As of 2008, the country hosts over 280,000 refugees from the Sudan's Darfur region, over 55,000 from the Central African Republic, as well as over 170,000 internally displaced persons.^[39] UN redirects here. ... A humanitarian crisis or (in the language of history) a humanitarian disaster is a health or otherwise natural disaster which mortally threatens a very large number of people. ... For other uses, see Darfur (disambiguation). ... Tailor in Labuje IDP camp in Uganda An internally displaced person (IDP) is someone who has been forced to leave their home for reasons such as religious or political persecution, war or natural disaster, but has not crossed an international border. ...

In February 2008 in the aftermath of the battle of N'Djamena, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes expressed "extreme concern" that the crisis would have a negative effect on the ability of humanitarians to deliver life-saving assistance to half a million beneficiaries, most of whom - according to him - heavily rely on humanitarian aid for their survival.^[40] UN spokesperson Maurizio Giuliano stated to The Washington Post: "If we do not manage to provide aid at sufficient levels, the humanitarian crisis might become a humanitarian catastrophe".^[41] UN redirects here. ... For other persons named John Holmes, see John Holmes (disambiguation). ... UN redirects here. ... Maurizio Giuliano is a social scientist with a background in academia and media. ... The Washington Post is the largest newspaper in Washington, D.C.. It is also one of the citys oldest papers, having been founded in 1877. ...

The UN, under the leadership of Holmes, boosted the humanitarian response in 2007, with the arrival of a field office of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Senior UN official Eliane Duthoit was deployed as head of the OCHA office in the capital N'Djamena, while former World Food Programme official Fatma Samoura became Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in the eastern town of Abéché.^[42] UN redirects here. ... For other persons named John Holmes, see John Holmes (disambiguation). ... The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is a organisation under the United Nations which was formed in December 1991 with the General Assembly Resolution 46/182. ... UN redirects here. ... Eliane Duthoit is a senior United Nations official working for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). ... The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is a organisation under the United Nations which was formed in December 1991 with the General Assembly Resolution 46/182. ... NDjamena, «ehn JAHM uh nuh», population 721,000 (2005), is the capital of Chad. ... WFP redirects here. ... Abéché is a city in Chad, the capital of Ouaddaï prefecture. ...

Regions, departments, and sub-prefectures

Main articles: Regions of Chad, Departments of Chad, and Sub-prefectures of Chad

Regions of Chad

Chad is divided into 18 regions. This system came about in 2003 as part of the decentralisation process, when the government abolished the previous 14 prefectures. Each region is headed by a presidentially appointed governor. Prefects administer the 50 departments within the regions. The departments are divided into 200 sub-prefectures, which are in turn composed of 446 cantons.^[43][44] The cantons are scheduled to be replaced by communautés rurales, but the legal and regulatory framework has not yet been completed.^[45] The constitution provides for decentralised government to compel local populations to play an active role in their own development.^[46] To this end, the constitution declares that each administrative subdivisions be governed by elected local assemblies,^[47] but no local elections have taken place,^[48] and communal elections scheduled for 2005 have been repeatedly postponed.^[31] The country of Chad is currently divided into 18 regions. ... Chad is divided into 18 regions, which are subdivided into 52 departments: Aboudeïa Assoungha Baguirmi Barh Azoum Barh El Gazel Barh Köh Barh Sara Barh Signaka Batha Est Batha Ouest Biltine Borkou Chari Dababa Dagana Dar Tama Djourf Al Ahmar Dodjé Ennedi East Ennedi West Fitri Grande Sido... Sub-prefectures of Chad The departments of Chad are divided into 348 sub-prefectures (sous-prefectures). ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The country of Chad is currently divided into 18 regions. ... Chad is divided into 14 prefectures: Batha Biltine Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti Chari-Baguirmi Guéra Kanem Lac Logone Occidental Logone Oriental Mayo-Kebbi Moyen-Chari Ouaddaï Salamat Tandjilé Categories: Chad | Lists of subnational entities | Prefectures of Chad ... Chad is divided into 18 regions, which are subdivided into 52 departments: Aboudeïa Assoungha Baguirmi Barh Azoum Barh El Gazel Barh Köh Barh Sara Barh Signaka Batha Est Batha Ouest Biltine Borkou Chari Dababa Dagana Dar Tama Djourf Al Ahmar Dodjé Ennedi East Ennedi West Fitri Grande Sido... Sub-prefectures of Chad The departments of Chad are divided into 348 sub-prefectures (sous-prefectures). ...

The regions are:^[49]

Batha is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), located in the centre of the country. ... The Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti (BET) is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Faya-Largeau. ... Chari-Baguirmi is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Massenya. ... Guéra is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its captal is Mongo. ... Hadjer-Lamis is one of the 18 regions of Chad, located in the southwest of the country. ... Kanem is one of the 18 regions of Chad, corresponding to the former prefecture of Kanem. ... Lac is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Bol. ... Logone Occidental is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Moundou. ... Logone Oriental is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Doba. ... Mandoul is one of the 18 regions of Chad. ... Mayo-Kebbi Est is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Bongor. ... Mayo-Kebbi Ouest is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Pala. ... Moyen-Chari is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decree N° 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Sarh. ... Ouaddaï is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Abéché. It is composed by the former Ouaddaï Prefecture. ... Salamat is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decree N° 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Am Timan. ... Tandjilé is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decree N° 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Laï. Subdivisions The region of Tandjilé is divided in 2 departments: Démography The region had 458,240 inhabitants in 1993, of whom 442,876 sedentary (rural, 385,537; urban, 57... Wadi Fira is one of the 18 regions of Chad, and corresponds with the former prefecture of Biltine. ... NDjamena, «ehn JAHM uh nuh», population 721,000 (2005), is the capital of Chad. ...

Geography

Main article: Geography of Chad

Chad is divided into three distinct zones, from the Sudanese savanna in the south to the Sahara Desert in the north.

At 1,284,000 square kilometres (496,000 sq mi), Chad is the world's 21st-largest country. It is slightly smaller than Peru and slightly larger than South Africa.^[50][51] Chad is in north central Africa, lying between 8° and 24° north and between 14° and 24° east. Chad is bounded to the north by Libya, to the east by Sudan, to the west by Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon, and to the south by the Central African Republic. The country's capital is 1,600 km (990 mi) from the nearest seaport.^[38][52] Due to this distance from the sea and the country's largely desert climate, Chad is sometimes referred to as the "Dead Heart of Africa".^[53] Map of Chad Satellite image of Chad, generated from raster graphics data supplied by The Map Library Chad is a land-locked country in north central Africa measuring 1,284,000 square kilometers (496,000 sq. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1265x1922, 1833 KB) ECW to TIFF to JPEG (100% quality; progressive formatting). ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1265x1922, 1833 KB) ECW to TIFF to JPEG (100% quality; progressive formatting). ... Square kilometre (U.S. spelling: square kilometer), symbol km², is a decimal multiple of SI unit of surface area square metre, one of the SI derived units. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Countries by area. ... This article is about arid terrain. ...

Lake Chad in a 2001 satellite image. On the top, the changes from 1973 to 1997 are shown.

A heritage of the colonial era, Chad's borders do not coincide wholly with natural boundaries. The dominant physical structure is a wide basin bounded to the north, east and south by mountain ranges. Lake Chad, after which the country is named, is the remains of an immense lake that occupied 330,000 km² (130,000 sq mi) of the Chadian Basin 7,000 years ago.^[38] Although in the 21st century it covers only 17,806 km² (6,875 sq mi), and its surface area is subject to heavy seasonal fluctuations,^[54] the lake is Africa's second largest wetland.^[55] The Emi Koussi, a dormant volcano in the Tibesti Mountains that reaches 3,414 metres (13,435 ft) above sea level, is the highest point in Chad and the Sahara. Description: A composite of images showing the diminishing Lake Chad from 1973 to 2001. ... Description: A composite of images showing the diminishing Lake Chad from 1973 to 2001. ... Lake Chad (in French: Lac Tchad) is a large, shallow lake in Africa. ... Lake Chad (in French: Lac Tchad) is a large, shallow lake in Africa. ... Emi Koussi is a high volcano that lies at the south end of the Tibesti Mountains in the central Sahara of northern Chad. ... Categories: Africa geography stubs | Mountain ranges | Stratovolcanoes | Hotspot volcanoes | Mountains of Chad | Volcanoes of Chad ...

Each year a tropical weather system known as the intertropical front crosses Chad from south to north, bringing a wet season that lasts from May to October in the south, and from June to September in the Sahel.^[56] Variations in local rainfall create three major geographical zones. The Sahara lies in the country's northern third. Yearly precipitations there are under 50 millimetres (2 in); in fact, Borkou in Chad is the most arid area of the Sahara. Vegetation throughout this belt is scarce; only the occasional spontaneous palm grove survives, the only ones to do so south of the Tropic of Cancer. The Sahara gives way to a Sahelian belt in Chad's centre; precipitation there varies from 300 mm to 600 mm (12–24 in) per year. In the Sahel a steppe of thorny bushes (mostly acacias) gradually gives way to a savanna in Chad's Sudanese zone to the south. Yearly rainfall in this belt is over 900 mm (35 in).^[52] The region's tall grasses and extensive marshes make it favourable for birds, reptiles, and large mammals. Chad's major rivers—the Chari, Logone and their tributaries—flow through the southern savannas from the southeast into Lake Chad.^[38][57] The thunderstorms of the Intertropical Convergence Zone form a line across the eastern Pacific Ocean. ... A wet season or rainy season is a season in which the average rainfall in a region is significantly increased. ... Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti is most extensive of the 14 prefectures that Chad was divided into between 1960 and 1999. ... For the novel by Henry Miller, see Tropic of Cancer (novel). ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... For other uses, see Acacia (disambiguation). ... This article is about grassland. ... The Chari or Shari River is a 949-kilometer-long river of central Africa, flowing from the Central African Republic through Chad into Lake Chad. ... The Logon River is a major tributary of the Chari River. ...

Economy and infrastructure

Main article: Economy of Chad

A Chadian maternity ward. Although improving, Chad's infrastructure remains far less developed than that of its northern neighbours.

The United Nations' Human Development Index ranks Chad as the fifth poorest country in the world, with 80% of the population living below the poverty line. The GDP (PPP) per capita was estimated as US$1,500 in 2005.^[58] Chad is part of the Bank of Central African States and the Customs and Economic Union of Central Africa (UDEAC). Its currency is the CFA franc. Years of civil war have scared away foreign investors; those who left Chad between 1979 and 1982 have only recently begun to regain confidence in the country's future. In 2000 major direct foreign investment in the oil sector began, boosting the country's economic prospects.^[50][25] Economy - overview: Landlocked Chads economic development suffers from its geographic remoteness, drought, lack of infrastructure, and political turmoil. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... PPP of GDP for the countries of the world (2003). ... USD redirects here. ... Headquarters Yaounde, Cameroon Established 1972 President Jean-Félix Mamalepot Central Bank of Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa Currency Central African CFA franc ISO 4217 Code XAF Website www. ... States of UDEAC The Customs and Economic Union of Central Africa (or UDEAC from its name in French, Union Douaniere et Économique de l’Afrique Centrale), established by the Brazzaville Treaty in 1966, formed a customs union with free trade area between members and a common external tariff for imports... ISO 4217 Code XAF User(s) Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon Pegged with euro = CFA655. ...

Women in Mao, where water is provided by a water tower. Access to clean water is often a problem in Chad.

Over 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and livestock raising for its livelihood.^[50] The crops grown and the locations of herds are determined by the local climate. In the southernmost 10 percent of the territory lies the nation's most fertile cropland, with rich yields of sorghum and millet. In the Sahel only the hardier varieties of millet grow, and these with much lower yields than in the south. On the other hand, the Sahel is ideal pastureland for large herds of commercial cattle and for goats, sheep, donkeys and horses. The Sahara's scattered oases support only some dates and legumes.^[2] Before the development of oil industry, cotton dominated industry and the labour market and accounted for approximately 80% of export earnings.^[59] Cotton remains a primary export, although exact figures are not available. Rehabilitation of Cotontchad, a major cotton company that suffered from a decline in world cotton prices, has been financed by France, the Netherlands, the European Union, and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). The parastatal is now expected to be privatised.^[25] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Mao is a city in Chad, the capital of Kanem prefecture. ... Species About 30 species, see text Sorghum is a genus of numerous species of grasses, some of which are raised for grain and many of which are utilised as fodder plants either cultivated or as part of pasture. ... For other uses, see Millet (disambiguation). ... For the English rock band, see Oasis (band). ... The Société cotonnière du Tchad, also called Cotontchad, is a parastatal Chadian company operating in a monopoly regime that buys and exports all the Cotton produced in Chad, a product which represents 40% of the countrys exportations and in the past years has been even more dominant. ... Logo of the World Bank The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development is one of the five institutions consisting the World Bank Group. ... Para-statals or parastatals (from para- meaning mean something close or near, a prefix, and state), are fully or partially state-owned corporations or agencies. ...

ExxonMobil leads a consortium of Chevron and Petronas that has invested $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves estimated at one billion barrels in southern Chad. Oil production began in 2003 with the completion of a pipeline (financed in part by the World Bank) that links the southern oilfields to terminals on the Atlantic coast of Cameroon. As a condition of its assistance, the World Bank insisted that 80% of oil revenues be spent on development projects. In January 2006 the World Bank suspended its loan programme when the Chadian government passed laws reducing this amount.^[25][48] On July 14, 2006, the World Bank and Chad signed a memorandum of understanding under which the Government of Chad commits 70% of its spending to priority poverty reduction programmes.^[60] For other uses, see Exon (disambiguation). ... Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) is one of the worlds largest global energy companies. ... Petronas, short for Petroliam Nasional Berhad, is a Malaysian owned oil and gas company that was founded on August 17, 1974. ... The Chad-Cameroon Petroleum Development and Pipeline Project is a controversial project to develop the production capacity of oilfields near Doba in southern Chad, and to create a 1,070km pipeline to transport the oil to facilities on the coast of Cameroon. ... The World Bank logo The World Bank (the Bank) is a part of the World Bank Group (WBG), is a bank that makes loans to developing countries for development programs with the stated goal of reducing poverty. ... is the 195th day of the year (196th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

A bridge on the Bragoto River

Civil war crippled the development of transport infrastructure; in 1987, Chad had only 30 kilometres (19 mi) of paved roads. Successive road rehabilitation projects improved the network^[61] to 550 kilometres (342 mi) by 2004.^[62] Nevertheless, the road network is limited; roads are often unusable for several months of the year. With no railways of its own, Chad depends heavily on Cameroon's rail system for the transport of Chadian exports and imports to and from the seaport of Douala.^[63] An international airport serves the capital and provides regular direct flights to Paris and several African cities. The telecommunication system is basic and expensive, with fixed telephone services provided by the state telephone company SotelTchad. Only 14,000 fixed telephone lines serve all of Chad, one of the lowest telephone density rates in the world. Chad's energy sector has suffered from years of mismanagement by the parastatal Chad Water and Electric Society (STEE), which provides power for 15% of the capital's citizens and covers only 1.5% of the national population.^[64] Most Chadians burn biomass fuels such as wood and animal manure for power.^[65] Chad's cities face serious difficulties of municipal infrastructure; only 48% of urban residents have access to potable water and only 2% to basic sanitation.^[38][66] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... The Bragoto River is a river in southern Chad. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require rewriting and/or reformatting. ... “km” redirects here. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... “km” redirects here. ... “Miles” redirects here. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... NDjamena International Airport (IATA: NDJ, ICAO: FTTJ), serves NDjamena, Chad, and is the main international airport of Chad. ... Telephones - main lines in use: 11,800 (2002) Telephones - mobile cellular phone: 65,000 (2003) Telephone system: general assessment: primitive system domestic: fair system of radiotelephone communication stations international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) Radio broadcast stations: AM 2, FM 4, shortwave 5 (2002) Radios: 1. ... Societe des Telecommunications Internationales du Tchad (SotelTchad) is a Chadian telecommunications parastatal providing landline domestic and international telephone service, as well as Internet service. ...

The country's television audience is limited to N'Djamena. The only television station is the state-owned TeleTchad. Radio has a far greater reach, with 13 private radio stations. Newspapers are limited in quantity and distribution, and circulation figures are small due to transportation costs, low literacy rates, and poverty.^[67][65] While the constitution defends liberty of expression, the government has regularly restricted this right, and at the end of 2006 began to enact a system of prior censorship on the media.^[68]

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Chad

2005 estimates place Chad's population at 10,146,000; 25.8% live in urban areas and 74.8% in rural ones.^[69] The country's population is young: an estimated 47.3% is under 15. The birth rate is estimated at 42.35 births per 1,000 people, the mortality rate at 16.69. The life expectancy is 47.2 years.^[50] Demographics of Chad, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands. ...

A Ouaddaian girl

Chad's population is unevenly distributed. Density is 0.1/km² (0.3/sq mi) in the Saharan Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti Region but 52.4/km² (135.7/sq mi) in the Logone Occidental Region. In the capital, it is even higher.^[52] About half of the nation's population lives in the southern fifth of its territory, making this the most densely populated region.^[70] Urban life is virtually restricted to the capital, whose population is mostly engaged in commerce. The other major towns are Sarh, Moundou, Abéché and Doba, which are less urbanised but are growing rapidly and joining the capital as decisive factors in economic growth.^[38] Since 2003, 230,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to eastern Chad from war-ridden Darfur. With the 172,000 Chadians^[71] displaced by the civil war in the east, this has generated increased tensions among the region's communities.^[72] Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Ouaddaï is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Abéché. It is composed by the former Ouaddaï Prefecture. ... Logone Occidental is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its capital is Moundou. ... Sarh (formerly Fort Archambault) is the largest city in southern Chad, the capital of Moyen-Chari region and the department of Barh Köh. ... Moundou is a city in Chad, the capital of Logone Occidental prefecture. ... Abéché is a city in Chad, the capital of Ouaddaï prefecture. ... Doba is a city in Chad, the capital of Logone Oriental prefecture. ...

Polygamy is common, with 39% of women living in such unions. This is sanctioned by law, which automatically permits polygamy unless spouses specify that this is unacceptable upon marriage.^[73] Although violence against women is prohibited, domestic violence is common. Female genital mutilation is prohibited, but the practice is widespread and deeply rooted in tradition; 45% of Chadian women undergo the procedure, with the highest rates among Arabs, Hadjarai, and Ouaddaians (90% or more). Lower percentages were reported among the Sara (38%) and the Toubou (2%). Women lack equal opportunities in education and training, making it difficult for them to compete for the relatively few formal-sector jobs. Although property and inheritance laws based on the French code do not discriminate against women, local leaders adjudicate most inheritance cases in favour of men, according to traditional practice.^[31] The term polygamy (a Greek word meaning the practice of multiple marriage) is used in related ways in social anthropology, sociobiology, and sociology. ... The term polygamy (a Greek word meaning the practice of multiple marriage) is used in related ways in social anthropology, sociobiology, and sociology. ... Female genital cutting (FGC), also known as female genital mutilation (FGM), female circumcision or female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), refers to all procedures involving partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic... For other uses, see Arab (disambiguation). ... The Hadjarai are a people comprising 6. ... a Sara woman about 1900 The Sara are an ethnic group in Central Africa. ... The Toubou are an ethnic group in northern Chad. ...

A tribal delegation

Chad has more than 200 distinct ethnic groups,^[25] which create diverse social structures. The colonial administration and independent governments have attempted to impose a national society, but for most Chadians the local or regional society remains the most important influence outside the immediate family. Nevertheless, Chad's peoples may be classified according to the geographical region in which they live. In the south live sedentary people such as the Sara, the nation's main ethnic group, whose essential social unit is the lineage. In the Sahel sedentary peoples live side-by-side with nomadic ones, such as the Arabs, the country's second major ethnic group. The north is inhabited by nomads, mostly Toubous.^[38][2] The nation's official business languages are French and Arabic, but over 100 languages and dialects are spoken. Due to the important role played by itinerant Arab traders and settled merchants in local communities, Chadian Arabic has become a lingua franca.^[2] Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Arabic redirects here. ... Chadian Arabic is the variety of Arabic spoken in Chad. ...

The 1993 census found that 54% of Chadians were Muslim, 20% Roman Catholic, 14% Protestant, 10% animist, and 3% atheist.^[52] None of these religious traditions is monolithic. Animism includes a variety of ancestor and place-oriented religions whose expression is highly specific. Islam, though characterised by an orthodox set of beliefs and observances, is expressed in diverse ways. Christianity arrived in Chad only with the French; as with Chadian Islam, it syncretises aspects of pre-Christian religious beliefs.^[2] Muslims are largely concentrated in northern and eastern Chad, and animists and Christians live primarily in southern Chad and Guéra.^[38] The constitution provides for a secular state and guarantees religious freedom; different religious communities generally co-exist without problems.^[74] Islam became a dynamic political and military force in the Middle East in the decades immediately following Muhammads death. ... The Roman Catholic Church in Chad is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Relation to other religions Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Christianity Portal This box:      Protestantism encompasses the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated with the doctrines of the Reformation. ... The term Animism is derived from the Latin anima, meaning soul.[1][2] In its most general sense, animism is simply the belief in souls. ... There are very few or no other articles that link to this one. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Guéra is one of the 18 regions of Chad (Decrees N° 415/PR/MAT/02 and 419/PR/MAT/02), and its captal is Mongo. ...

Culture

Main article: Culture of Chad

Due to its great variety of peoples and languages, Chad possesses a rich cultural heritage. The Chadian government have actively promoted Chadian culture and national traditions by opening the Chad National Museum and the Chad Cultural Centre.^[38] Six national holidays are observed throughout the year, and movable holidays include the Christian holiday of Easter Monday and the Muslim holidays of Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, and Eid Milad Nnabi.^[64] This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the date January 1 in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 121st day of the year (122nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about annual labour observances internationally. ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... On April 15, 1958, in the city of Accra, Ghana, African leaders and political activists gathered at the first Conference of Independent African States. ... is the 223rd day of the year (224th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Independence Day (disambiguation). ... is the 305th day of the year (306th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the Christian holiday. ... is the 332nd day of the year (333rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Republic Day is the name of a public holiday in several countries to commemorate the day when they first became republics. ... is the 335th day of the year (336th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Freedom and Democracy Day is a national holiday in Chad, falling on 1 December. ... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... The Chad National Museum (Musee National NDjamena) is the national museum of Chad. ... The Chad Cultural Centre is an institution located in Moa, Chad. ... Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is celebrated as a holiday in some largely Christian cultures, especially Roman Catholic cultures. ... Eid ul-Fitr or Id-Ul-Fitr (Arabic: عيد الفطر ‘Īdu l-Fiṭr), often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. ... Eid al-Adha (Arabic: عيد الأضحى ‘Īd al-’Aḍḥā) is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide as a commemoration of Ibrahims (Abrahams) willingness to sacrifice his son Ismael for Allah, but a voice from heaven allows Ibrahim to sacrifice a goat instead. ... Milad, Milad an-Nabi or Mawlid un-Nabi (Arabic: ) is the celebration of the birthday of Muhammad. ...

Regarding music, Chadians play instruments such as the kinde, a type of bow harp; the kakaki, a long tin horn; and the hu hu, a stringed instrument that uses calabashes as loudspeakers. Other instruments and their combinations are more linked to specific ethic groups: the Sara prefer whistles, balafones, harps and kodjo drums; and the Kanembu combine the sounds of drums with those of flute-like instruments.^[75] Kakaki are long (up to 3-4 meters) metal trumpets used in traditional African ceremonial music. ... Binomial name (Molina) Standl. ... The balafon is a pentatonic or heptatonic resonated frame xylophone of West Africa. ... The Kanembu are an ethnic group of Chad, generally considered the modern descendants of the Kanem-Borno Empire. ...

A Chadian tailor sells traditional dresses.

The music group Chari Jazz formed in 1964 and initiated Chad's modern music scene. Later, more renowned groups such as African Melody and International Challal attempted to mix modernity and tradition. Popular groups such as Tibesti have clung faster to their heritage by drawing on sai, a traditional style of music from southern Chad. The people of Chad have customarily disdained modern music. However, in 1995 greater interest has developed and fostered the distribution of CDs and audio cassettes featuring Chadian artists. Piracy and a lack legal protections for artists' rights remain problems to further development of the Chadian music industry.^[75][76] Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Metadata No higher resolution available. ... Founded in 1964, Chari Jazz was the first modern Chad musical group. ...

Millet is the staple food throughout Chad. It is used to make balls of paste that are dipped in sauces. In the north this dish is known as alysh; in the south, as biya. Fish is popular, which is generally prepared and sold either as salanga (sun-dried and lightly smoked Alestes and Hydrocynus) or as banda (smoked larger fish).^[77] Carcaje is a popular sweet drink extracted from hibiscus leaves. Alcoholic beverages, though absent in the north, are popular in the south, where people drink millet beer, known as billi-billi when brewed from red millet and as coshate when from white millet.^[75] Species Alestes affinis Alestes ansorgii Alestes baremoze Alestes bartoni Alestes batesii Alestes bimaculatus Alestes bouboni Alestes carmesinus Alestes comptus Alestes dentex Alestes grandisquamis Alestes humilis Alestes imbera Alestes jacksonii Alestes liebrechtsii Alestes macrophthalmus Alestes natalensis Alestes peringueyi Alestes rhodopleura Alestes schoutedeni Alestes stuhlmannii Alestes taeniurus Alestes tessmanni Alestes tholloni Alestes... Hydrocynus, sometimes Hydrocyon, is a genus in the family Alestiidae, which known as the African Characidae as members of the family are found exclusively on that continent. ... Millet beer, also known as Bantu beer, kaffir beer, or opaque beer, is an alcoholic beverage made from malted millet. ... Binomial name Panicum miliaceum L. Proso millet, also known as common millet, broom corn, hog millet or white millet, is a species of millet that has been cultivated for thousands of years in East Asia and Russia. ...

As in other Sahelian countries, literature in Chad has suffered from an economic, political and spiritual drought that has affected its best known writers. Chadian authors have been forced to write from exile or expatriate status and have generated literature dominated by themes of political oppression and historical discourse. Since 1962, 20 Chadian authors have written some 60 works of fiction. Among the most internationally renowned writers are Joseph Brahim Seïd, Baba Moustapha, Antoine Bangui and Koulsy Lamko. In 2003 Chad's sole literary critic, Ahmat Taboye, published his Anthologie de la littérature tchadienne to further knowledge of Chad's literature internationally and among youth and to make up for Chad's lack of publishing houses and promotional structure.^[75][78][79] Joseph Brahim Seid is a Chadian writer and politician. ... Mahamat Baba Moustapha (1952-1982) was a Chadian playwright writing in French. ... Antoine Bangui-Rombaye is a Chadian political figure and author. ... Koulsy Lamko (born 1959) is a Chadian-born playwright, poet, novelist and university lecturer. ... Ahmat Taboye is Chads only literary critic. ...

The development of a Chadian film industry has suffered from the devastations of civil war and from the lack of cinemas, of which there is only one in the whole country. The first Chadian feature film, the docudrama Bye Bye Africa, was made in 1999 by Mahamat Saleh Haroun. His later film Abouna was critically acclaimed, and his Daratt won the Grand Special Jury Prize at the 63rd Venice International Film Festival. Issa Serge Coelo directed Chad's two other films, Daresalam and DP75: Tartina City.^{[80][81][82][83]} A reel of film, which predates digital cinematography. ... // Docudramas tend to demonstrate some or most of the following characteristics: A strict focus on the facts of the event being treated, as they are known; A tendency to avoid overt commentary or authorial editorializing; The use of literary and narrative techniques to flesh out or render story-like the... Bye Bye Africa is a 1999 Chadian film. ... Mahamat Saleh Haroun (b. ... Abouna (English: Our Father) is a 2003 film by Chadian director Mahamat Saleh Haroun. ... Daratt (English: Dry Season, French: Saison sèche) is a 2006 film by Chadian director Mahamat Saleh Haroun. ... The 63rd Venice International Film Festival opened on August 30, 2006 with Brian De Palmas The Black Dahlia and closed September 9, 2006. ... Issa Serge Coelo (b. ... Daresalam (English: Let There Be Peace[1]) is a 2000 dramatic film by Chadian director Issa Serge Coelo. ...

Football is Chad's most popular sport.^[84] The country's national team is much followed during international competitions^[75], and Chadian footballers have played for French teams. Basketball and freestyle wrestling are widely practiced, the latter in a form in which the wrestlers don traditional animal hides and cover themselves with dust.^[75] “Soccer” redirects here. ... First international Liberia 2 - 1 Chad (Senegal; April 11, 1963) Biggest win Chad 5 - 0 São Tomé and Príncipe (Gabon; June 29, 1976) Biggest defeat Dahomey 6 - 2 Chad (Senegal; April 11, 1963) Zaire 4 - 0 Chad (Congo; April 29, 1987) Egypt 5 - 1 Chad (Cairo, Egypt; July... This article is about the sport. ...

See also

• List of Chad-related topics

// Main article: List of Chadians Ibrahim Abatcha Abdelwahit About Ahmat Acyl Mahamat Ali Adoum Ahmad Allam-Mi Michel Arnaud Mohamed Baghlani Jean Alingué Bawoyeu Toupta Boguena Outel Bono Solomon Braun Henri Bretonnet Michel Brunet (paleontologist) Françoise Claustre Dunama Dabbalemi Brahim Déby Idriss Déby Hassan Djamous Yaya Dillo...

Notes

is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ... is the 37th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 173rd day of the year (174th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 263rd day of the year (264th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... UN redirects here. ... UN redirects here. ... The Washington Post is the largest newspaper in Washington, D.C.. It is also one of the citys oldest papers, having been founded in 1877. ... UN redirects here. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

Department of State redirects here. ... Country Reports on Human Rights Practices are submitted annually by the U.S. Department of State to the U.S. Congress. ... is the 65th day of the year (66th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Affairs (DRL) at the United States Department of State is one of four bureaus that comprise the Office of the Under Secretary for Global Affairs. ... is the 59th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 258th day of the year (259th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amnesty international Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is an international non-governmental organization which defines its mission as to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience... The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), (in French: Organisation de coopération et de développement économiques; OCDE) is an international organisation of thirty countries that accept the principles of representative democracy and a free market economy. ... The World Factbook (ISSN 1553-8133; also known as the CIA World Factbook)[2] is an annual publication of the Central Intelligence Agency of the United States with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. ... CIA redirects here. ... is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... International Press Institute (IPI) is a global organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of press freedom and the improvement of journalism practices. ... United Nations Commission on Human Rights - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... is the 346th day of the year (347th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general English-language encyclopaedia published by Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. ... Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. ... is the 267th day of the year (268th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... The World Bank logo The World Bank (the Bank) is a part of the World Bank Group (WBG), is a bank that makes loans to developing countries for development programs with the stated goal of reducing poverty. ... The Department of Citizenship and Immigration Canada is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for issues dealing with immigration and citizenship. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 8th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is a organisation under the United Nations which was formed in December 1991 with the General Assembly Resolution 46/182. ... USAID logo The United States Agency for International Development (or USAID) is the U.S. government organization responsible for most non-military foreign aid. ... is the 294th day of the year (295th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Freedom House is a United States-based international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on democracy, political freedom and human rights. ... The Energy Information Administration (EIA), as part of the U.S. Department of Energy, collects and disseminates data on energy reserves, production, consumption, distribution, prices, technology, and related international, economic, and financial matters. ... This article refers to the news department of the British Broadcasting Corporation, for the BBC News Channel see BBC News (TV channel). ... is the 134th day of the year (135th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 47th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Anwarul Karim Chowdhury is a Bengladeshi diplomat most noted for his work on development in the poorest nations, global peace and championing the rights of the woman and child. ... The logotype of the United States Government Printing Office In the United States, the Government Printing Office (GPO) prints and provides access to documents produced by and for all three branches of the federal government, including the Supreme Court, the Congress, and all executive branch agencies like the FCC and... Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Amnesty international Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is an international non-governmental organization which defines its mission as to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience... is the 289th day of the year (290th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... University of California Press, also known as UC Press, is a publishing house associated with the University of California that engages in academic publishing. ... is the 74th day of the year (75th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 252nd day of the year (253rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Samuel Clement Nolutshungu (April 15, 1945 – August 12, 1997) was one of the foremost South African scholars, and an internationally acclaimed expert on South African politics. ... Kenneth Michael Pollack (born 1966) is a an arm-chair warmongerer who helped deceive a nation into committing itself to a catastrophic military intervention . ... University of Nebraska Press at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska, is a major publisher of original and reprint editions of significant works about the West. ... is the 130th day of the year (131st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... The Government of Chad has been controlled by Idriss Déby and his Patriotic Salvation Movement since December 2, 1990, and officially since February 28, 1991. ... is the 39th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The United States Department of Commerce is a Cabinet department of the United States government concerned with promoting economic growth. ... Possible meanings: Faro Airport (Portugal) Federation of Astrobiology Organizations Financial Aid Office Food and Agriculture Organization This page expands a three-character combination which might be any or all of: an abbreviation, an acronym, an initialism, a word in English, or a word in another language. ... UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) is a specialized agency of the United Nations established in 1945. ... The International Crisis Group is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts through field-based analysis and high-level advocacy. ... is the 152nd day of the year (153rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Inter Press Service (abbreviated: IPS) is a global news agency. ... is the 350th day of the year (351st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 340th day of the year (341st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 195th day of the year (196th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For information on Wikipedia press releases, see Wikipedia:Press releases. ... is the 322nd day of the year (323rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• (French) Official government site
• (French) Official presidency site
• Chad Embassy — Washington DC