Chad Geography
Chad Geography: A summary of information about Chad Geography, from government research data as well as independent research and other sources.
Chad: Geography
Location
Central Africa, south of Libya
Geographic coordinates
15 00 N, 19 00 E
Map references
Africa
Area
total: 1.284 million sq km land: 1,259,200 sq km water: 24,800 sq km
Area - comparative
slightly more than three times the size of California
Land boundaries
total: 5,968 km border countries: Cameroon 1,094 km, Central African Republic 1,197 km, Libya 1,055 km, Niger 1,175 km, Nigeria 87 km, Sudan 1,360 km
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Climate
tropical in south, desert in north
Terrain
broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south
Elevation extremes
lowest point: Djourab Depression 160 m highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m
Natural resources
petroleum (unexploited but exploration under way), uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)
Land use
arable land: 3% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 36% forests and woodland: 26% other: 35% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land
140 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural hazards
hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues
Environment - current issues
inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification
Environment - international agreements
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
Geography - note
landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel
