Chad is a landlocked country which lies at the crossroads of North and Central Africa. Chad shares its borders with Sudan to the east, Libya to the north, the Central African Republic to the south, Nigeria to the west, Cameroon to the southwest, and Nigeria to the southwest. Most of the residents are poor and make a living, doing pastoral work and farming. Since 2003, crude oil has become the country's main source of export revenue, replacing the traditional cotton industry.
History:
France conquered and incorporated the territory into French Equatorial Africa by 1920. Chad gained independence under the leadership of François Tombalbay, in 1960. Dissatisfaction with his policies towards the Muslim North led to a protracted civil war that broke out in 1965. In 1991, with French support, the modernization of the Chad Armed Forces began.
Culture:
Due to its ethnic and linguistic diversity, Chad has a rich cultural heritage. The Chadian government actively promotes Chadian culture and national traditions by opening the Chadian National Museum and the Chadian Cultural Center.
Chad's music includes several instruments, such as the kinde, a type of bowed harp. kakaki, long pewter horns; Whoo, a stringed instrument that uses a calabash as a loudspeaker. Other instruments and their combinations are more associated with certain ethnic groups.
Language:
The official languages of Chad are Arabic and French, but more than 100 languages and dialects are spoken. Due to the important role of itinerant Arab traders and settled traders in the community, Arabic in Chad became the official language.
Geography:
The geographical region of Chad is divided into various parts that include an arid Sahelian belt in the center, a desert zone in the north, and a more fertile Sudanian Savanna zone in the south. Chad is named after the Chad lake which is the second-largest wetland in Africa. Chad lies between the latitudes 7 degrees and 24 degrees North and longitudes 13 degrees and 24 degrees East. Chad is often referred to as the “Dead Heart of Africa” as it has a largely desert climate and is situated away from the sea. Chad has six terrestrial ecoregions including Sahelian Acacia savanna, East Sudanian savanna, Lake Chad flooded savanna, South Sharan steppe and woodlands, East Shaaran montane xeric woodlands and Tisbesti-Jebel Uweinat montane xeric woodlands.
| Official name | Republic of Chad |
| Capital | N'Djamena |
| Population | 1.72 crores (2021) |
| Area | 1.284 million sq km |
| Currency | Central African CFA franc |
| Religion | Islam and Christianity |
| Language | French and Arabic |
| Major cities | N'Djamena, Moundou, Sarh, and Abeche |
FAQs
Q.1. What is the government and political system of Chad?
Ans. President is the strong executive head of Chad’s constitution who dominates the whole political system. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet is appointed by the President.
Q.2. What is the capital of Chad?
Ans. The capital of Chad is N’Djamena.
Q.3. Why is Chad called “Dead Heart of Africa”?
Ans. Chad is often referred as the “Dead Heart of Africa” as it has a largely desert climate and is situated away from the sea.
Last Updated on: April 17, 2023
