Lesser-Known Chad Facts

1. Chad is the fifth largest country in Africa, but most of its land mass lies in the Sahara desert.

Restored Elephant Population

* About 4,000 elephants were killed in Chad between 2002 and 2010.
* After receiving help from a non-profit organization, elephant and wildlife populations have now stabilized.

Zakouma National Park

* Poachers once hunted most of the wildlife in Zakouma National Park.
* As a restoration measure, authorities flew six rhinos from South Africa and dehorned and electronically tagged them to deter poachers.

Chad’s Economic Struggles

* Chad is one of the poorest countries in the world, according to the Human Development Index.
* About 80% of its population lives below the poverty line.

Agriculture in Chad

* Although most of Chad lies in the Sahara desert, its southern territory is fertile and supports agriculture.
* Natives cultivate millet, sorghum, and cotton, which are the country’s primary exports.

CIA-Chad Cooperation

* In 1988, the CIA partnered with Chad to intercept an advanced Soviet attack helicopter from Libya.
* The USA reportedly paid Chad $2 million for their help.

Chadian-Libyan Conflict

* When the Chadian-Libyan war began, Libya underestimated Chad’s military capabilities.
* Despite having a smaller budget than Libya, Chad utilized Toyota pickups and anti-tank missile launchers to defeat Libyan troops.

Chad’s Diversity

* Chad is home to over 200 ethnic and linguistic groups, making it one of the world’s most ethnically diverse nations.
* The country has earned the nickname “Babel Tower of the World,” referencing a Biblical allusion.

Migrants and Refugees

* Chad hosts around 1 million refugees, primarily from neighboring Sudan and the Central African Republic.
* The country also has one of the highest numbers of internally displaced persons per capita in Africa.

Lake Chad

* Lake Chad is Chad’s most prominent natural feature and a vital water source for agriculture and animal husbandry.
* However, climate change has led to the loss of about 90% of the lake’s original size.

Chad’s Name

* “Chad” comes from the Kanuri language, meaning “lake.”
* Lake Chad translates to “lake lake,” although most of the country is covered in desert.