Chad

Inside the crater of Mount Emi Koussi, Chad
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emi_Koussi_crater_natron.jpg
Author: Stefan Thüngen


The Republic of Chad is a large landlocked nation in Central Africa. Covering 1,284,000 sq km (495,753 sq mi), it is the 21st largest country in the world. Chad is 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.

Much of Chad is located within a desert zone. The central part of the country is an arid Sahelian belt. The southern part of Chad is the fertile Sudanese savanna zone. The country was named after Lake Chad, the largest wetland in Chad and the second largest in Africa.

Chad has a population of 10.4 million people (2011 estimate). Its capital and biggest city is N'Djamena. The country has a nominal GDP of 6.854 million (2009 estimate) and a per capital nominal GDP of US$687. It ranks as one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world, with the majority of its population living in poverty as farmers and herders. The main source of export income for Chad since 2003 is cruide oil.

Emi Koussi inner crater, Chad
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emi_Koussi_inner_crater.jpg
Author: Stefan Thüngen

Planning your visit to Chad

Chad is a country with a long history of political turmoil that may re-erupt at any time. Visitors are therefore warned against all but essential travel. Areas outside the capital continues to be volatile and dangerous.

Nationals of all countries need a visa to enter Chad, except the citizens of Benin, Burkina-Faso, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal. A single-entry visa costs US$100 and is valid for one month while a multiple-entry visa costs US$150, valid for 3 months and US$200, valid for 6 months.

By Plane

N'Djaména has an international airport with regular flights by Air France from Paris. Air Ethiopia flies there from Addis Ababa four times a week.

Major Cities in Chad

Regions of Chad

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