Geography & environment — Chad
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources.
Profile updated 2026-06-02
⚡ Geography & environment at a glance
Location, land area, terrain, climate, and natural resources. Key figure for Chad: Africa
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Location & size
- Geographic Location
Africa
- Geographic Coordinates
15 00 N, 19 00 E
- Total Area
495,752 Square Miles 1,284,000 Square Kilometers
- Land Area
486,177 Square Miles 1,259,200 Square Kilometers
- Water Area
9,575 Square Miles 24,800 Square Kilometers
- Land Boundaries
3,708 Miles 5,968 Kilometers
- 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
Physical geography
- Terrain
Broad, arid plains in the center, desert in the north, mountains in the northwest, lowlands in the south
- Highest Point
3,415 Meters
- Highest Point Location
Emi Koussi 3,415 m
- Lowest Point
160 Meters
- Lowest Point Location
Djourab Depression 160 m
- Natural Resources
Petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad)
- Irrigated Land
117 Square Miles 302 Square Kilometers
Climate & time
- Time Zone
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
- Climate
The capital, N'Djamena, which is located in the Sahelian Zone, has a rainy season extending from June to October, characterized by sporadic, heavy rains and increased humidity with high temperatures in excess of 90°F. The remaining 8 months of the year are dry and generally hot, with a brief respite from November to February when daytime temperatures seldom exceed 90°F and lows at night descend to the 60s. Northeasterly winds off the desert, called the "harmattan," blow regularly during the dry season and envelop the town in a shroud of thick dust. April/May temperatures regularly exceed 110°F.
- Terrain
Broad, arid plains in the center, desert in the north, mountains in the northwest, lowlands in the south
- Location
Central Africa, south of Libya
- Total Area
495,752 Square Miles 1,284,000 Square Kilometers
- 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
Environment
- Environment - Current Issues
Inadequate supplies of potable water
improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution
desertification
- Environment - International Agreements
Party To: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping