Chad Geography: Location, Area, Borders & Climate

Chad is a country in Central Africa, Africa, covering a total area of 1,284,000 km². It is a landlocked country with no coastline. Chad shares land borders with 6 countries.

📐 Geographic Statistics

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Continent
Africa
geographical continent
📍
Region
Central Africa
sub-region
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Total Area
1,284,000 km²
land coverage
🏙️
Pop. Density
14/km²
people per km²
🌊
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
total shore length
🕐
Timezone
UTC+1
UTC offset
🎂
Independence
1960
year established
🌡️
Climate
Hot desert north, tropical south
general type

Where is Chad Located?

Chad is situated in Central Africa, within the broader continent of Africa. As a landlocked country, Chad has no direct access to the sea; all borders are shared with other nations. Historically, this shaped trade routes and development, with the country relying on agreements with neighbours for access to international shipping. The capital, N'Djamena, is the country's main hub for commerce and administration. Within the Central Africa region, Chad sits alongside countries including Cameroon, Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo.

Size and Area of Chad

Chad covers a total area of 1,284,000 km², making it one of the smaller nations in the world. With a population of 17.4M across this territory, the population density works out at 14/km²: one of the more sparsely populated countries, with vast stretches of largely uninhabited land.

Climate of Chad

The climate of Chad is hot desert north, tropical south. The most favourable time to visit is November–February, when conditions are most comfortable for travel and outdoor activities. Climate can vary considerably across different parts of the country; coastal areas, highlands and inland plains often experience quite different conditions. Travellers should research the specific region they plan to visit to plan appropriate clothing and activities.

🗺️ Countries Bordering Chad

Chad shares land borders with 6 countries: Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon. This large number of shared borders reflects Chad's central geographical position within Central Africa.

Libya
Libya
Tripoli
Sudan
Sudan
Khartoum
Central African Republic
Central African Republic
Bangui
Nigeria
Nigeria
Abuja
Niger
Niger
Niamey
Cameroon
Cameroon
Yaoundé

Frequently Asked Questions about Chad's Geography

Where is Chad located?

Chad is located in Central Africa, Africa. The capital city is N'Djamena.

How large is Chad?

Chad has a total area of 1,284,000 km² with a population density of 14/km².

What countries border Chad?

Chad shares land borders with 6 countries: Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon.

Does Chad have a coastline?

No: Chad is a landlocked country entirely surrounded by other countries, with no access to the sea.

What is the climate of Chad?

The climate of Chad is Hot desert north, tropical south. The best time to visit is November–February.

What timezone is Chad in?

Chad observes UTC+1 timezone.

What continent is Chad in?

Chad is in Africa, specifically in the Central Africa region.

When did Chad become independent?

Chad gained independence in 1960.

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