
Chad
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Learn about Chad
Beyond the scoreLearn about Chad.Official names, languages, local time and practical context for understanding Chad beyond its legal score.
Destination overview
About Chad.
Where the Sahara Meets the Savanna
Chad stretches across three distinct climate zones, from the scorched sands of the Sahara in the north to the lush Sudanian savanna in the south, making it one of Africa's most geographically dramatic countries. The sheer scale of the landscape is staggering, with vast ergs, volcanic massifs and seasonal floodplains unfolding across a territory larger than Peru. Travellers prepared for adventure and remoteness will find a country that rewards curiosity at every turn.
Read more about Chad
The Ennedi Plateau and Its Ancient Secrets
The Ennedi Massif in the northeast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most remarkable landscapes on the continent. Wind and water have carved the sandstone into soaring arches, pillars and canyons sheltering thousands of prehistoric rock paintings and engravings that document human life stretching back millennia. Guelta d'Archei, a remote waterhole tucked deep within the massif, supports a resident population of the last Saharan crocodiles and draws travellers on multi-day camel treks across the surrounding desert.
Zakouma and the Wildlife of the South
Zakouma National Park in southern Chad has undergone a remarkable conservation resurgence and is now considered one of Central Africa's finest safari destinations. Elephant herds numbering in the hundreds move through the park during the dry season, accompanied by roan antelope, tiang, buffalo and a breathtaking diversity of waterbirds around the seasonal lakes. African Parks has managed the reserve since 2010, transforming it into a model of community-involved conservation that continues to attract wildlife photographers and safari enthusiasts from around the world.
Lake Chad and the People of the Water
Lake Chad, shared with Niger, Nigeria and Cameroon, has shaped the cultures of the surrounding peoples for thousands of years, even as its waters have dramatically receded in recent decades. The Buduma and other fishing communities navigate its papyrus channels in reed boats, maintaining traditions that have endured across generations. The lake remains a vital hub for trade and sustenance, and its shifting shores tell a vivid story about both human resilience and the pressures of a changing climate in the Sahel.
Official and Indigenous Names
- Republic of Chad (English)
- République du Tchad (French)
- جمهورية تشاد (Jumhuriyyat Tshad) (Arabic)
Region
- Central Africa
Continent
- Africa
Resident population
17,414,108
2023 data
Capitals and seats of government
- Injamina, N'DjamenaNDJ
Currency
- Central African CFA Franc (XAF · ₣)
Driving side
- right side of the road
Electricity
Languages
Arabic
Official by law · ISO 639-3: ara
French
Official by law · ISO 639-3: fra
Chadian Arabic
Official in practice · Indigenous · ISO 639-3: shu
Buduma
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: bdm
Chadian Sign Language
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: cds
Show 8 more languages
Dazaga
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: dzg
Fulfulde
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: fub
Hausa
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: hau
Kanuri
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: kau
Maba
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: mde
Masalit
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: mls
Ngambay
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: sba
Zaghawa
Indigenous · ISO 639-3: zag
Current time and time zone
West Africa TimeWAT
Africa/Ndjamena
Largest cities by resident population
- N'DjamenaNDJ · 1,323,246
2020 data
- Moundou · 197,449
2020 data
- Sarh · 133,015
2020 data
- Abéché · 107,479
2020 data
- Kélo · 49,489
2020 data
Busiest airport by total passengers
- Hassan Djamous International AirportNDJ · 480,000 annual passenger movements
2019 data