Chad facts
Capital: N´Djamena
Language: French, Arabic, 50 indigenous languages.
People: Sara, Toubou, Peul-Fulani, Tuareg.
Religion: Muslim, traditional beliefs, Christian.
Size (sq km): 1,284,000.
Population: 9,885,661.
Population density/sq km: 7.6
Relaxed and friendly on the whole, Chadians expect their traditional beliefs and customs to be respected. Though dress is informal it is also conservative in respect of Muslim laws. Do not use the left hand to offer or accept food, or expose the sole of the foot in a Muslim's presence. Always carry identification.
Camel hair carpets, leatherware, embroidery, calabashes, knives, weapons, pottery, brass animal figures.
French and African, grilled meat and fish at stalls, tiéboudienne (fish with mixed vegetables and rice). Shortages of some foodstuffs outside the capital. Gala is the excellent locally produced beer.
International Airports in Chad
N'Djaména (NDJ) 4 km from the city.
Internal travel in Chad
Some internal flights accepting cash payment only. Most roads are dirt tracks and only possible to travel on with 4-wheel-drives. Permits are usually needed. Due to security conditions and a lack of food, petrol and vehicle repair facilities, the government has prohibited travel in some parts of the country. Trucks, mini-buses and taxis common in towns. Clandos (motorcycle taxis) are common out of N'Djaména.
Chad visas
(UK/US) Required.
Chad vaccinations
BCG, Cholera, Diphtheria, Hep. A, Hep. B, Malaria, Meningitis ACWY Polio, Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever3
Chad driving requirements
International Driving Permit and official authorisation de circuler.
Chad reps in UK/US
UK: n/a, nearest 65 rue des Belles Feuilles, 75116 Paris, France, tel (1) 4553 3675, fax (1) 4553 1609. US: 2002 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, tel (202) 462 4009, fax (202) 265 1937, email info@chadembassy.org.
UK/US reps in Chad
UK: The British High Commission in Yaoundé (see Cameroon) deals with enquiries relating to Chad. US: BP 413, avenue Félix Eboué , N'Djaména, tel 251 6211, fax 251 5654, email consularndjame@state.gov.
Chad currency
Communauté Financiaire Africaine franc (CFA) = 100 centimes.
Chad finance
Traveller's cheques, Diners Club and MasterCard accepted on a limited basis.
Chad business hours
0700-1530 Mon-Thurs, 0700-1200 Friday.
Chad safety information
Extremely dangerous at the time of publication. Much of the country is lawless and borders are highly unstable. Infrastructure is largely destroyed. Seek latest information at time of visit.
Chad life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 46.17, F 48.27.
Useful websites for travel to Chad
http://ndjamena.usembassy.gov, www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/chad/
Local media in Chad
No English-language papers. One, state-owned, TV channel.
Chad tourist boards
n/a.
Hot, tropical climate. Rainy season in the south from May-October, in the central region from June-September. Very little rain in the north.
GMT +1.
Communauté Financiaire Africaine franc (CFA) = 100 centimes.
Get foreign currency online
