Legend:
 Definition
 Field Listing
 Rank Order
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Background:
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Chad, part of France's African holdings until 1960, endured three decades of ethnic warfare as well as invasions by Libya before a semblance of peace was finally restored in 1990. The government eventually suppressed or came to terms with most political-military groups, settled a territorial dispute with Libya on terms favorable to Chad, drafted a democratic constitution, and held multiparty presidential elections in 1996 and 1997. In 1998, a new rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which sporadically flares up despite two peace agreements signed in 2002 and 2003 between the government and the rebels. Despite movement toward democratic reform, power remains in the hands of a northern ethnic oligarchy.
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Location:
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Central Africa, south of Libya
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Geographic coordinates:
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15 00 N, 19 00 E
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Map references:
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Africa
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Area:
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total: 1.284 million sq km
water: 24,800 sq km
land: 1,259,200 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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slightly more than three times the size of California
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Land boundaries:
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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
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked)
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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none (landlocked)
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Climate:
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tropical in south, desert in north
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Terrain:
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broad, arid plains in center, desert in north, mountains in northwest, lowlands in south
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Djourab Depression 160 m
highest point: Emi Koussi 3,415 m
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Natural resources:
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petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)
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Land use:
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arable land: 2.78%
permanent crops: 0.02%
other: 97.2% (1998 est.)
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Irrigated land:
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200 sq km (1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues
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Environment - current issues:
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inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping
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Geography - note:
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landlocked; Lake Chad is the most significant water body in the Sahel
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Population:
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9,538,544 (July 2004 est.)
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 47.9% (male 2,297,490; female 2,269,801)
15-64 years: 49.3% (male 2,245,586; female 2,459,796)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 107,594; female 158,277) (2004 est.)
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Median age:
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total: 16 years
male: 15.3 years
female: 16.7 years (2004 est.)
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Population growth rate:
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3% (2004 est.)
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Birth rate:
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46.5 births/1,000 population (2004 est.)
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Death rate:
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16.38 deaths/1,000 population (2004 est.)
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Net migration rate:
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-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2004 est.)
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Sex ratio:
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at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.91 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2004 est.)
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 94.78 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 85.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2004 est.)
male: 104.01 deaths/1,000 live births
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 48.24 years
male: 46.91 years
female: 49.63 years (2004 est.)
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Total fertility rate:
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6.38 children born/woman (2004 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
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3.6% 5%-7% (2001 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
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150,000 (2001 est.)
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HIV/AIDS - deaths:
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14,000 (confirmed AIDS cases, actual number far higher but difficult to estimate) (2001 est.)
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Nationality:
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noun: Chadian(s)
adjective: Chadian
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Ethnic groups:
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200 distinct groups; in the north and center: Arabs, Gorane (Toubou, Daza, Kreda), Zaghawa, Kanembou, Ouaddai, Baguirmi, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko, Hausa, Boulala, and Maba, most of whom are Muslim; in the south: Sara (Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye), Moundang, Moussei, Massa, most of whom are Christian or animist; about 1,000 French citizens live in Chad
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Religions:
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Muslim 51%, Christian 35%, animist 7%, other 7%
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Languages:
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French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects
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Literacy:
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definition: age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic
total population: 47.5%
male: 56%
female: 39.3% (2003 est.)
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Country name:
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conventional long form: Republic of Chad
conventional short form: Chad
local long form: Republique du Tchad
local short form: Tchad
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Government type:
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republic
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Capital:
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N'Djamena
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Administrative divisions:
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14 prefectures (prefectures, singular - prefecture); Batha, Biltine, Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti, Chari-Baguirmi, Guera, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mayo-Kebbi, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Tandjile
note: instead of 14 prefectures, there may be a new administrative structure of 28 departments (departments, singular - department), and 1 city*; Assongha, Baguirmi, Bahr El Gazal, Bahr Koh, Batha Oriental, Batha Occidental, Biltine, Borkou, Dababa, Ennedi, Guera, Hadjer Lamis, Kabia, Kanem, Lac, Lac Iro, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Boneye, Mayo-Dallah, Monts de Lam, N'Djamena*, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile Oriental, Tandjile Occidental, Tibesti
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Independence:
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11 August 1960 (from France)
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National holiday:
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Independence Day, 11 August (1960)
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Constitution:
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passed by referendum 31 March 1996
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Legal system:
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based on French civil law system and Chadian customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
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Suffrage:
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18 years of age; universal
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Executive branch:
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chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December 1990)
head of government: Prime Minister Moussa Faki MAHAMAT (since NA July 2003)
cabinet: Council of State, members appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
election results: Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY reelected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 63%, Ngarlegy YORONGAR 16%, Saleh KEBZABO 7%
note: government coalition - MPS, UNDR, and URD
elections: president elected by popular vote to serve five-year term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last held 20 May 2001 (next to be held NA 2006); prime minister appointed by the president
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Legislative branch:
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bicameral according to constitution, consists of a National Assembly (155 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms) and a Senate (not yet created and size unspecified, members to serve six-year terms, one-third of membership renewable every two years)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MPS 110, RDP 12, FAR 9, RNDP 5, URD 5, UNDR 3, others 11
elections: National Assembly - last held 21 April 2002 (next to be held in NA April 2006)
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Judicial branch:
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Supreme Court; Court of Appeal; Criminal Courts; Magistrate Courts
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Political parties and leaders:
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Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarlejy YORONGAR]; National Rally for Development and Progress or RNDP [Mamadou BISSO]; National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]; Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman] (originally in opposition but now the party in power and the party of the president); Rally for Democracy and Progress or RPD [leader NA]; Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Gen. Wadal Abdelkader KAMOUGUE]; Viva Rally for Development and Progress or Viva RNDP [Delwa Kassire COUMAKOYE]
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Political pressure groups and leaders:
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NA
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International organization participation:
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ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
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Diplomatic representation in the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Hassaballah Abdelhadi Ahmat SOUBIANE
chancery: 2002 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
FAX: [1] (202) 265-1937
telephone: [1] (202) 462-4009
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Diplomatic representation from the US:
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chief of mission: Ambassador Christopher E. GOLDTHWAIT
embassy: Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena
mailing address: B. P. 413, N'Djamena
telephone: [235] (51) 70-09
FAX: [235] (51) 56-54
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Flag description:
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three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; similar to the flag of Romania; also similar to the flags of Andorra and Moldova, both of which have a national coat of arms centered in the yellow band; design was based on the flag of France
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Economy - overview:
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Chad's primarily agricultural economy will continue to be boosted by major oilfield and pipeline projects that began in 2000. Over 80% of Chad's population relies on subsistence farming and stock raising for its livelihood. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's export earnings, but Chad will begin to export oil in 2004. Chad's economy has long been handicapped by its landlocked position, high energy costs, and a history of instability. Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investment projects. A consortium led by two US companies has been investing $3.7 billion to develop oil reserves estimated at 1 billion barrels in southern Chad. Oil production came on stream in late 2003.
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $10.86 billion (2003 est.)
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GDP - real growth rate:
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15% (2003 est.)
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $1,200 (2003 est.)
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GDP - composition by sector:
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agriculture: 38%
industry: 13%
services: 49% (2001 est.)
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Population below poverty line:
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80% (2001 est.)
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Household income or consumption by percentage share:
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lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
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Inflation rate (consumer prices):
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6% (2002 est.)
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Labor force:
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NA (2002)
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Labor force - by occupation:
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agriculture more than 80% (subsistence farming, herding, and fishing)
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Unemployment rate:
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NA% (2000)
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Budget:
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revenues: $198 million
expenditures: $218 million, including capital expenditures of $146 million (1998 est.)
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Industries:
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oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, beer brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials
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Industrial production growth rate:
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5% (1995)
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Electricity - production:
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94.04 million kWh (2001)
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Electricity - production by source:
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fossil fuel: 100%
hydro: 0%
other: 0% (2001)
nuclear: 0%
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Electricity - consumption:
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87.46 million kWh (2001)
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Electricity - exports:
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0 kWh (2001)
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Electricity - imports:
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0 kWh (2001)
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Oil - production:
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0 bbl/day (2001 est.)
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Oil - consumption:
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1,500 bbl/day (2001 est.)
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Oil - exports:
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NA
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Oil - imports:
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NA
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Agriculture - products:
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cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca); cattle, sheep, goats, camels
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Exports:
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$365 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
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Exports - commodities:
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cotton, cattle, gum arabic
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Exports - partners:
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Portugal 30.3%, Germany 15.2%, US 9.1%, France 6.1%, Nigeria 6.1%, Spain 6.1%, Morocco 4.5%, Poland 4.5% (2002)
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Imports:
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$760 million f.o.b. (2003 est.)
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Imports - commodities:
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machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs, textiles
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Imports - partners:
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France 31.5%, US 31.3%, Germany 5.6%, Nigeria 4.7% (2002)
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Debt - external:
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$1.1 billion (2000 est.)
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Economic aid - recipient:
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$238.3 million; note - $125 million committed by Taiwan (August 1997); $30 million committed by African Development Bank; ODA $150 million (2001 est.)
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Currency:
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Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XAF); note - responsible authority is the Bank of the Central African States
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Currency code:
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XAF
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Exchange rates:
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Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XAF) per US dollar - 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999)
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year
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Highways:
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total: 33,400 km
paved: 267 km
unpaved: 33,133 km (1999 est.)
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Waterways:
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2,000 km
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Pipelines:
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oil 205 km (2003)
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Ports and harbors:
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none
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Airports:
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50 (2003 est.)
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Airports - with paved runways:
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total: 7
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2003 est.)
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Airports - with unpaved runways:
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total: 43
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 20
under 914 m: 10 (2003 est.)
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Disputes - international:
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civil war in Sudan overlaps into Chad as both states step up border patrols, leaving refugees and rebel groups in both countries; Chad serves as an important mediator in the Sudanese civil conflict; Chadian Aozou rebels reside in southern Libya; Lake Chad Commission continues to urge signatories Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria to ratify delimitation treaty over lake region; Chad rejects Nigerian request to redemarcate boundary, the site of periodic cross-border incidents
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This page was last updated on 11 May, 2004
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