Chad
Geography and culture
Chad is a landlocked country located in Central Africa, 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.
It covers an area of about 1.28 million square kilometres, making it the fifth largest country in Africa.
Chad’s geography varies from the arid Sahara Desert in the north to savannahs and wetlands in the south.
This diverse landscape supports a rich cultural mosaic, with over 200 ethnic groups and more than 100 languages spoken, including Arabic and French, the official languages.
Historical Background and Independence
Chad has a complex history shaped by indigenous kingdoms and later European colonisation. It became a French colony in the early 20th century as part of French Equatorial Africa.
Chad gained independence from France on August 11, 1960. Since then, it has faced political instability marked by multiple civil wars and military coups.
Despite these challenges, Chad has worked toward national unity and development, often navigating tensions between its northern and southern regions.
Economy and Natural Resources
Chad’s economy is largely based on agriculture, livestock, and oil production. It is a significant producer of crude oil, which has boosted government revenues since the early 2000s.
However, poverty remains widespread, with many citizens dependent on subsistence farming. The country also faces challenges such as drought, infrastructure deficits, and limited access to education and healthcare.
Nonetheless, Chad continues to develop its natural resources and regional trade partnerships to foster growth and stability.
