Overview
Chad, officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country located in Central Africa. It shares borders with Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, and both Cameroon and Nigeria to the southwest, as well as Niger to the west. This central position places Chad at a crossroads of North African, Sahelian, and Central African cultures.
Geography and Size
Chad is a vast nation, covering a total area of approximately 1,300,000 square kilometers (500,000 square miles). This makes it the fifth-largest country on the African continent and the twentieth-largest nation in the world by land area. Despite its considerable size, Chad's landlocked position means it has no direct access to the sea, relying on neighboring countries for maritime trade routes.
Population and Capital
Chad is home to a population of around 20 million people. The nation's political, economic, and cultural heart is N'Djamena, which serves as both the capital and the largest city in the country. N'Djamena alone accounts for a significant portion of the national population, with approximately 1.6 million residents calling the city home.
- Capital City: N'Djamena
- Population: Approximately 20 million
- Capital Population: 1.6 million
- Total Area: Around 1,300,000 km² (500,000 sq mi)
- Regional Ranking: Fifth-largest country in Africa
- Global Ranking: Twentieth-largest nation by area
Regional Position
Chad's location within Central Africa places it in a unique geographic zone, bordering six different nations. To the north lies Libya, connecting Chad to North African influences, while Sudan borders the country to the east. The southern border is shared with the Central African Republic, and to the southwest, Chad meets both Cameroon and Nigeria. Completing its borders, Niger lies to the west. This extensive network of international boundaries underscores Chad's role as a significant crossroads within the African continent.