Chad

Chad

A landlocked country in central Africa, Chad, has recovered from the three decades of turmoil it was in thanks to civil warfare and the Libyan invasions. Peace finally returned to the nation in 1990. With the enactment of a democratic constitution, presidential elections were held in 1996 and 2001, though marked by irregularities.

In 1998, the northern Chad was witness to a rebellion, which flares up at regular intervals notwithstanding many peace agreements between the government and the rebels. Eastern Chad is no less turbulent as rebel groups from western Sudan make sporadic attacks into the area. An ethnic minority led by President Idriss Deby rule over the country.

Travel overview
Sometimes referred to as the 'dead heart of Africa, Chad is a culturally diverse country which can be gauged from the fact that more than 100 languages are spoken here.

Chad is home to the Tibesti Mountains, the largest mountain chain in the Sahara desert. The dormant volcano of Emi Koussi is worth visiting. Lake Chad is another irresistible attraction. For wildlife llovers, the Zakouma National Park offers the opportunity not to be missed. The park is the habitat of several species of birds and elephants, monkeys, wildebeests, lions, giraffes, antelopes.

Tourists are advised not to travel to the northern Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti region, which is beset with minefields.
Capital: N'Djamena
Location: Central Africa, south of Libya
Climate: tropical in south, desert in north
Total Area: 1.284 million sq km
Total Population: 9,885,661
Population Growth Rate: 2.32%
Sex Ratio: 0.92 male(s)/female
Literacy: 47.5%
Ethnic Groups: Sara, Arab, Mayo-Kebbi, Kanem-Bornou, Ouaddai , Hadjarai , Tandjile , Gorane, Fitri-Batha,
Irrigated land: 300 sq km
Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara, more than 120 different languages and dialects

Time Zone: UTC+1
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF)

Type of govt.: republic
Head of Govt.: Prime Minister Nouradine Delwa KASSIRE Koumakoye
Major Political Parties: Federation Action for the Republic or FAR , National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP , National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR , Party for Liberty and Development or PLD , Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS , Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP , Union for Democracy and Republic or UDR , Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD

Participation in International Organizations: ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OIF, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCL, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Major Agricultural Products: cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels

Natural Resources & Minerals: petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt

Industry & Transport: oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials
Airports: 52
Roadways: 33,400 km
Waterways: Chari and Legone rivers
Major Trade Partners: France, Cameroon, US, Belgium, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Netherlands
US 78.1%, China 9.9%, Taiwan 4.1% (2005)
Exports: $4.342 billion
Imports: $823.1 million