Chad in Perspective: Orientation Guide: Geography, History, Economy, Society, Security, Military, Religion, Saharan, Soudanian Regions, N'Djamena, Moundou, Sarh, Sara, Toubou and Daza

These two unique guides produced by the Department of Defense provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Chad, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.

CHAPTER 1 - GEOGRAPHY * Introduction * Geographic Divisions and Topographic Features * Saharan Region * Sahelian Region * Soudanian Region * Climate * Bodies of Water * Major Cities * N'Djamena * Moundou * Sarh * Abeche * Environmental Concerns * Natural Hazards * Chapter 1 Assessment * CHAPTER 2 - HISTORY * Introduction * Era of the Kingdoms * Kanem and Sayfawa Empires * Kanem-Bornu Empire * Bagirmi and Wadai Empires * Independence * First Civil War (1965-1979) * Second Civil War (1979-1982) * More Civil Unrest (1982-2002) * Twenty-First Century * Recent Events * Chapter 2 Assessment * CHAPTER 3 - ECONOMY * Introduction * Agriculture * Industry * Minerals * Oil * Manufacturing * Foreign Trade. * Tourism * Banking and Finance * Standard of Living * Outlook * Chapter 3 Assessment * CHAPTER 4 - SOCIETY * Introduction * Ethnic Groups and Languages * Sara * Arabs * Toubou and Daza * Religion * Islam * Christianity * Animism * Gender Issues * Traditional Dress * Cuisine * Arts and Recreation * Chapter 4 Assessment * CHAPTER 5 - SECURITY * Introduction * U.S. - Chad Relations * Relations with Neighboring Countries * Cameroon * Central African Republic * Libya * Niger * Nigeria * Sudan * Police Force * Armed Forces * Issues Affecting Stability * Armed Rebels * Humanitarian Risks * Outlook * Chapter 5 Assessment * FINAL ASSESSMENT * FURTHER READINGS

About three times the size of California, Chad is a landlocked country at the crossroads between the Sahara desert and Central Africa. Chad is bordered by Niger in the west. Nigeria and Cameroon lie to its southwest and south-southwest, respectively. The Central African Republic lies along its southern border. Sudan is its neighbor to the east. Finally, Libya borders Chad to the north. Chad stretches over 1,800 km (1,118 mi) from north to south and 800 km (497 mi) from east to west. Chad's largest city is N'Djamena, its capital. Chad's considerable biodiversity boasts savannahs, mountains, tropical forests, swampy river valleys, and deserts. Elephants, lions, and ostriches roam the landscape, while rhinos and hippos swim in the nation's waters.2 Climatic changes, pressures by human settlements, and mineral exploration threaten plant and animal species in the area. Geographic Divisions and Topographic Features - Chad is divided into three geographical regions from north to south: the Saharan Region (arid), the Sahelian Region (semi-arid), and the Soudanian Region (semi-tropical).