Today, we’re off on an adventure to a fascinating country in Africa called Chad. Chad might not be as famous as some other countries, but it’s full of amazing places and interesting facts. So, grab your explorer’s hat and let’s journey to learn these facts about Chad!
Did you know that Chad is actually really big? It’s about three times the size of California! Even though it’s big, it’s a bit of a mystery to many people. It’s located in the heart of Africa, surrounded by countries like Libya, Sudan, and Nigeria. With so many neighbors, it has a mix of different cultures and languages.
Chad is also home to some incredible nature. The Sahara Desert covers much of the northern part of Chad, and it’s one of the hottest places on Earth! But that’s not all. In the south, you’ll find grasslands and forests, which are like a completely different world from the desert.
One of the coolest places in Chad is Lake Chad. Once, it was one of the largest lakes in the world, but it has gotten smaller over time. It’s a really important lake because it gives water to animals and people living nearby. Plus, it’s home to lots of fish and birds.
Are you ready to find out more facts about Chad? From its big deserts to its busy markets, Chad is a country with lots of stories to tell. Let’s keep exploring and discover the many wonders that make Chad an exciting place to learn about!
Be sure to discover even more interesting facts with our Facts about El Salvador and our Facts about France.
Facts about Chad
- Chad is the largest landlocked country in Africa and shares a land border with six countries.
- The capital city of Chad is called N’Djamena and it is situated in the west of the country.
- The Sahara Desert covers much of northern Chad and occupies roughly 1/3rd of the country’s total area. It is the largest hot desert and the third largest desert in the world.
- Chad has often been called the “Dead Heart of Africa” due to its harsh climatic conditions and isolated landlocked location.
- Chad is known for its vibrant traditional clothing.
- Chadian music is characterized by a fusion of traditional rhythms, Islamic influences, and modern styles, creating a unique sound that represents the country’s cultural identity.
- Chad has one of the world’s lowest life expectancies. As of 2020, it had the third-lowest at just 54.0 years.
- Chad has never participated in the Winter Olympics.
- Chad has ample reserves of gold and uranium.
- Chad has a shortage of doctors. For every 23,600 people in Chad, there is only one Chadian doctor available.
- Zakouma National Park in Chad is home to the “Big Five” game animals of rhino, lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo.
- Lake Chad used to be the world’s largest freshwater lake. It has shrunk by as much as 95% since 1963.
- Chad abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 2020.
- Chad is a former French colony.
- The people of Chad are called Chadian.
- Chad is the only country in the world whose name is composed of a single syllable with a single vowel.
- Chad is one of the three countries (the Central African Republic and Madagascar are the others) whose natives are least affected by light pollution.
- Lake Chad is a freshwater lake that touches base with Nigeria, Cameroon, and Niger.
- Chad is part home to the world’s largest hot desert.
- Chad attained independence in 1960.
- The national flag of Chad and that of Romania are very similar.
- French scientists discovered a human skull thought to be 6-7 million years old. Named Toumaï, it is believed to be the oldest fossil from a member of the human family.
- Chad has never been able to make it to the FIFA World Championships; however, they have had some popular soccer players.
- Bili bili (millet beer) and fruit juices are Chad’s traditional drinks.
- Chad is a landlocked country: a country surrounded by land with no access to the sea.
- The night sky conditions in Chad are pristine and the Milky Way can clearly be seen at night.
- Chad is also known as “The Babel Tower of the World” because of its cultural diversity.
- Chad has three climatic regions.
- Chad is one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world.
- Islam is the most popular religion in Chad.
- Chad has only one television station (Tele-Tchad) which is owned by the state. Radio is the main source of media coverage in the country.
- The economy of Chad relies heavily on agriculture.
- The Toubou tribe, who live in the Tibesti Mountains, are known as the world’s best camel racers.
- The Tubu people are one of the indigenous groups in Chad.
- Chad has over 200 ethnic groups and 100 languages spoken in the country.
- Daylight saving has never been observed in Chad.
- Rice, sorghum, and millet are among the basic foods in Chad.
- Chad, by land area, is the world’s 21st largest country.
- The kakaki is a musical instrument with a long metal trumpet that is used by the local population during traditional ceremonies.
- Chad is home to several national parks and protected areas.
- Chad has the world’s fifth-highest fertility rate.
- The site is also home to a population of desert-adapted West African crocodiles, herds of Barbary sheep, as many as 525 plant species, and at least 180 bird species.
- Chad’s staple foods are grains.
- French and Arabic are the official languages of Chad.
- The second-largest lake in Africa and the largest wetland are in Chad.
- Chad is named after Lake Chad.
- Chad has only one television station (Tele-Tchad) which is owned by the state. Radio is the main source of media coverage in the country.
- Chad has one of the world’s lowest life expectancies. As of 2020, it had the third-lowest at just 54.0 years.
- Crude oil has been the primary source of the country’s economy since 2003.
- Only one-third of Chad’s adult population is literate, making it a challenge to promote education and literacy among the population.
- Chad is the only country in the world whose name is composed of a single syllable with a single vowel.
- Chad has ample reserves of gold and uranium.
- Chad has never participated in the Winter Olympics.
- Chadians have a strong sense of community and hospitality.
- Chad abolished the death penalty for all crimes in 2020.
- 80% of the Chadian people live under the poverty line.
- Chad is known for its vibrant traditional clothing.
- Chad is a former French colony.
- Earlier, cotton played a significant role in bringing wealth to the nation.
Do you have even more interesting facts about Chad? Share them with us in the comments!
