Chad Country & Tourist Information

Location
Central Africa.

Area
1,284,000 sq km (495,800 sq miles).

Population
8.6 million (2003).

Population Density
6.7 per sq km.

Capital
N’Djaména.
Population: 700,000.

Government
Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960.

Language
The official languages are French and Arabic. Other widely spoken African languages include Sara (in the south). The territory’s boundaries enclose a small but highly diverse population.

Religion
50% Muslim, 35% Christian, 15% animist and other.

Time
GMT + 1.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plug.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Delwa Kassiré Koumakoye since February 2007.

Head of State
President Idriss Déby since 1990.

Telephone
Country code: 235. It may be necessary to go through the operator.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies, but travelers should check with their service provider. Coverage is good to variable around N’Djaména and the southwest and patchy to non-existent elsewhere.

Internet
Limited access; available in N’Djaména but speeds are very slow and connection is difficult to establish.

Media
The broadcast media is state-controlled, with coverage generally favoring the Government. Radio is the main means of mass communication. There are about a dozen private radio stations on the air, despite high licensing fees. These are subject to close official scrutiny. Some are run by non-profit groups. Private newspapers, critical of the Government, circulate freely in N’Djaména but have little impact among the largely rural and illiterate population.


Post
Airmail takes about one week.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0700-1130 and 1530-1830, Sat 0730-1100.

Press
• Newspapers are printed in French and generally have a low circulation.
• Le Progres is a daily newspaper.
• Le Temps is a weekly publication.

Radio
• Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne is the national state-owned channel.
• Dja FM was Chad’s first private station.
• FM Liberté is owned by a group of human rights organizations.
• La Voix du Paysan is owned by the Catholic Church.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
9 Apr Easter Monday.
13 Apr National Day.
1 May Labor Day.
25 May Liberation of Africa (anniversary of the OAU’s foundation).
11 Aug Independence Day.
13 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
28 Nov Proclamation of the Republic.
1 Dec Day of Liberty and Democracy.
20 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
24 Mar Easter Monday.
13 Apr National Day.
1 May Labor Day.
25 May Liberation of Africa (anniversary of the OAU’s foundation).
11 Aug Independence Day. 
2 Oct Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
28 Nov Proclamation of the Republic.
1 Dec Day of Liberty and Democracy. 
9 Dec Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice).
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region.

Contact Information:

Direction du Tourisme
BP 86, N’Djaména, Chad
Tel: 522 303.

Embassy of the Republic of Chad in France
65 rue des Belles Feuilles, 75116 Paris, France
Tel: (1) 4553 3675.

Embassy of the Republic of Chad in the USA
2002 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA
Tel: (202) 462 4009.
Website: www.chadembassy.org


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