Chad

1960 – Independence from France (Friday, August 11, 1960): Chad gains independence from French colonial rule

1975–1990 – Civil War: Chad experiences decades of civil conflict between government forces and rebel groups

1990 – Hissène Habré comes to power: Habré seizes power in a coup, leading to authoritarian rule

1991 – Hissène Habré deposed: The Chadian government is overthrown, and Idriss Déby comes to power

2003–2005 – Darfur Conflict Impact: Chad is impacted by the Darfur conflict, with refugees and cross-border violence

2010 – National Dialogue: A national dialogue and peace agreement helps stabilize the country

2021 – President Idriss Déby dies in combat: After being re-elected, President Déby dies on the battlefield during clashes with rebel groups

2022 – Mahamat Idriss Déby assumes power: Following his father’s death, Mahamat Idriss Déby takes over as transitional president

Continent: Africa (Central Africa)
Location: 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
Capital: N’Djamena
Language: French (official), Arabic (official)
Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF)
Population: ~17 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: West Africa Time (WAT, UTC+1)

Borders: Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger
Landscape: Desert in the north (Sahara), semi-arid Sahel region, and fertile savannahs in the south
Major Rivers: Chari River, Logone River, Bahr el Ghazal River
Major Mountains: Tibesti Mountains, including Emi Koussi (highest peak)
Deserts: Sahara Desert in the northern part of the country
Lakes: Lake Chad (shared with Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger)
Volcanoes: Mount Emi Koussi (active volcano)
Notable Features: Chad’s diverse topography ranges from the dry Sahara Desert in the north to savannahs and wetlands in the south, with the Sahel zone in between.

Ethnic Groups: Over 200 ethnic groups including Arabs, Sara, Toubou, and Kanem-Bornu
Religion: Islam (about 55%), Christianity (about 35%), indigenous religions (about 10%)
Urban Population: ~22% (last updated: 2023)
Population Notes: Chad is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse countries in Africa.

Famous For: Traditional music, dance, and the cultural diversity of its people
Cuisine: Millet, sorghum, maize, and dishes like La Bouillie (millet porridge) and Tchadienne (a stew made from meat, vegetables, and spices)
Arts: Traditional crafts, including basket weaving, pottery, and beadwork
Sports: Football (soccer), basketball, and handball

Economy Type: Developing, reliant on agriculture and oil
GDP: Approx. $13 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (cotton, millet, sorghum), oil, livestock, and minerals
Key Exports: Oil, cotton, livestock, uranium
Unemployment Rate: ~6.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: The economy is centered around oil production in the south and agriculture in the more fertile southern regions.

Government Type: Unitary presidential republic
Head of State: President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno (last updated: April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Saleh Kebzabo (last updated: April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral National Assembly
Constitution: In effect since 2018

Zakouma National Park: Known for its wildlife, including elephants and lions
Chad’s Capital (N’Djamena): The vibrant capital city with markets, mosques, and museums
Lake Chad: A large, shared lake on the borders of Chad, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Niger
Tibesti Mountains: Popular for trekking and natural beauty
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: None at the moment