The Dead Heart of Africa
Chad is a vast landlocked country — 1,284,000 km², roughly the size of South Africa — dominated by the Sahara in the north, Sahel in the centre, and tropical savanna in the south. Lake Chad — once Africa’s 4th-largest lake — has shrunk by 90% since the 1960s due to climate change and over-extraction, from 25,000 km² to about 2,500 km². This ecological disaster has devastated fishing and farming communities across Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria.
Chad has been ruled by the Déby family since 1990 — Idriss Déby seized power in 1990, ruled for 31 years, and was killed by rebels in April 2021. His son Mahamat Déby immediately succeeded him in an unconstitutional military transition that has since been “legitimised” via a disputed 2024 election.
The country faces threats from Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa around Lake Chad and from rebel groups operating out of Libya. French troops long used N’Djamena as a Sahel base (Operation Barkhane HQ) before the 2023 withdrawal.
A Brief History
Home to the Kanem-Bornu Empire (9th-19th centuries). French colony from 1900. Independence in 1960. Civil war 1965-1990. Idriss Déby ruled 1990-2021. Mahamat Déby since 2021.
Geography and Climate
Chad covers 1,284,000 km². Sahara north, Sahel centre, savanna south. Climate: hot, arid north.
Culture, Language and Religion
French and Arabic are official. Religion: approximately 55% Muslim, 40% Christian, 5% traditional African religions.
The Economy
Chad has a low-income economy (~$13 billion GDP). Oil (since 2003), livestock, and cotton dominate.
UNESCO Sites
Chad has 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Lakes of Ounianga and Ennedi Massif (a stunning desert plateau with rock art and natural arches).
Travel Guide
Most governments advise against travel.
Surprising Facts
- Lake Chad has shrunk by 90% since 1960 — an environmental catastrophe.
- The Ennedi Massif — in northeastern Chad — has spectacular sandstone formations, natural arches, and prehistoric rock art.
- Chad is Africa’s 5th-largest country by land area.
- Idriss Déby was killed fighting rebels in April 2021 — an unusual end for a sitting head of state.
- The Toumaï fossil — found in Chad in 2001 — is one of the oldest hominid fossils ever discovered, ~7 million years old.
- The Sahara covers most of northern Chad — the Tibesti Mountains reach 3,415 m (Emi Koussi), the Sahara’s highest peak.
Sources and References
See the frontmatter for cited sources.