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 and National Assembly elections in 1996 and 1997, respectively.
In 1998, a new rebellion broke out in northern Chad, which continued
to escalate throughout 2000. A peace agreement, signed in January
2002 between the government and the rebels, provides for the demobilization
of the rebels and their reintegration into the political system.
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:
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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 (unexploited but exploration under way), 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, Nuclear Test Ban, 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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9,253,493 (July 2003 est.) |
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Age structure:
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0-14 years: 47.9% (male 2,228,605; female 2,201,368)
15-64 years: 49.3% (male 2,171,169; female 2,393,184)
65 years and over: 2.8% (male 105,686; female 153,481) (2003
est.) |
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Median age:
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total: 16 years
male: 15.2 years
female: 16.8 years (2002) |
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Population growth rate:
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3.07% (2003 est.) |
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Birth rate:
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47.06 births/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Death rate:
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16.38 deaths/1,000 population (2003 est.) |
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Net migration rate:
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0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2003 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: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2003 est.) |
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Infant mortality rate:
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total: 95.74 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 86.11 deaths/1,000 live births (2003 est.)
male: 105 deaths/1,000 live births |
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Life expectancy at birth:
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total population: 48.51 years
male: 46.97 years
female: 50.1 years (2003 est.) |
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Total fertility rate:
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6.44 children born/woman (2003 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);
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, BDEAC, CEEAC, CEMAC, ECA, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD,
ICAO, ICCt (signatory), ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS,
ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, 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
is scheduled to come on stream in late 2003. |
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GDP:
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purchasing power parity - $9.297 billion (2002 est.) |
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GDP - real growth rate:
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7.4% (2002 est.) |
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GDP - per capita:
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purchasing power parity - $1,000 (2002 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 |
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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% |
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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 (2001) |
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Oil - imports:
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NA (2001) |
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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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$197 million f.o.b. (2002 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 28.3%, Germany 13.6%, US 7.8%, Czech Republic 6.5%, France
5.8%, Nigeria 5.8%, Poland 5.5%, Spain 5.2%, Morocco 4.5% (2002)
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Imports:
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$570 million f.o.b. (2002 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 31.4%, Germany 5.5%, Nigeria 4.6% (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 |
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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 - 696.99
(2002), 733.04 (2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.7 (1999), 589.95 (1998)
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Fiscal year:
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calendar year
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Railways:
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0 km |
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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 (2002) |
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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 (2002) |
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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 (2002)
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Military branches:
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Armed Forces (including National Army, Air Force, and Gendarmerie),
Rapid Intervention Force, National and Nomadic Guard (GNNT), Presidential
Security Guard, Police |
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Military manpower - military age:
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20 years of age (2003 est.) |
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Military manpower - availability:
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males age 15-49: 1,940,328 (2003 est.) |
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Military manpower - fit for military service:
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males age 15-49: 1,015,982 (2003 est.) |
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Military manpower - reaching military age annually:
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males: 86,953 (2003 est.) |
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Military expenditures - dollar figure:
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$40.74 million (FY02) |
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Military expenditures - percent of GDP:
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1.9% (FY02)
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Disputes - international:
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internal political instabilities with fighting and violence overlap
into Chad and Central African Republic, leaving refugees and rebel
groups in both countries; 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, which remains the site of armed clashes among local populations
and militias; Chad rejects Nigerian request to redemarcate boundary,
the site of continuing cross-border incidents
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This page was last updated on 18 December,
2003
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