51 Facts About Chad

Chad, officially the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in northern Central Africa. 

With more than 120 languages and dialects spoken, Chad has a diverse population.

Chad attained its independence from France on August 11th, 1960.

Chad is the largest of Africa's 16 landlocked countries. It is also the world's 21st largest country. Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Botswana, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Rwanda, Swaziland, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Sudan are the other fifteen African landlocked countries (newly established).

Since at least 500 B.C., the country (historically, the area surrounding Lake Chad) has been inhabited.

The Chadian-Libyan conflict lasted from 1978 to 1987.

Chadians perform traditional ceremonial music on the Kakaki, a long metal trumpet. The instrument is always played by men and represents power.

The Sahara Desert encompasses much of northern Chad and accounts for roughly one-third of the country's total land area.

Chad's staple foods are grains such as millet, sorghum, and rice.

Chad has long experienced conflict between Muslims and Christians.

The Tibesti Mountains in Chad are home to some of the world's best camel racing.

Chad has never qualified for the FIFA World Championships.

There is only one Chadian doctor for every 23,600 people in Chad.

Chad has one of the world's highest maternal mortality rates. Every 100,000 births, 1100 mothers die.

Chad is also known as "The World's Babel Tower."

Until 1960, Chad was a part of France.

The Chadian flag was modelled after the French flag.

Chad's national symbols are the goat and the lion.

Chad has also gone through three decades of civil war.

Lake Chad inspired the name Chad. The lake is Chad's largest wetland and Africa's second largest.

Lake Chad is the seventeenth largest lake in the world.

Lake Chad has shrunk dramatically in recent years. It once covered 25,000 square kilometres, but that has now shrunk to 1,350 kilometres.

Lake Chad provides water to millions of people in four neighbouring countries: Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Nigeria. Once upon a time, the lake was the epicentre of Africa's lucrative salt trade.

Between August and December is the best time to visit Lake Chad. During this time, the lake's water level is at its highest, and visitors have a good chance of seeing a crocodile or hippo.

Tele-Tchad, the country's sole television station, is state-owned. The primary source of media coverage is radio.

According to UN estimates, there were more than 250,000 Sudanese refugees in Chad in 2011.

Chad is one of the world's poorest and most corrupt countries.

Since 2003, crude oil has been the primary source of the country's economy. Cotton used to play an important role in bringing wealth to the country.

Chad is home to some of the most significant African archaeological sites dating back to before 200 BC. These sites are mostly concentrated in the Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti Region.

America is one of Chad's most significant investors.

The University of Chad was established in 1971.

Chad's traditional drinks are bili bili (millet beer) and fruit juices.

Because Chad is landlocked, imported goods face high transportation costs.

One local refinery supplies the majority of Chad's fuel.

In 2003, a $4 billion pipeline connecting Chad's oilfields to terminals on the Atlantic coast was completed.

Men in Chad frequently have more than one wife.

Chadians are the people of Chad.

Chad has abundant gold and uranium reserves.

Chad's currency is the Central African Franc (XAF). It was first used in 1945.

Chad is the world's 21st largest country by land area.

Chad is also known as "The Dead Heart of Africa" due to its proximity to the deserts.

Chad is Africa's fifth largest country in terms of land area.

In 1085, Islam arrived in the country. Chad is home to over 200 ethnic groups.

Emi Koussi, Chad's highest peak at 3,415 metres, is located in northern Chad.

Chad's first national park, Zakouma National Park, has been nominated by the Chadian government to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lake Chad is home to the Nile perch, one of the largest freshwater fish. It can grow to be up to 2 metres long and weigh up to 200 kg.

Approximately 87% of Chad's rural population lives in poverty.

In 2015, there were over 400,000 people in Chad's rural areas who were severely food insecure.

Chad currently hosts at least 20,000 Nigerian refugees, 100,000 Central African Republic refugees, and 360,000 Sudanese refugees.

Only one-third of the adult population in the country is literate.

According to UNICEF, 147,000 children in Chad are currently suffering from Severe Acute Malnutrition.