le(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 120.4 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)

Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 47.55 years
male: 45.18 years
female: 50.01 years (1996 est.)

Total fertility rate: 5.84 children born/woman (1996 est.)

Nationality:
noun: Chadian(s)
adjective: Chadian

Ethnic divisions: nonindigenous 150,000, of whom 1,000 are French
north and center: Muslims (Arabs, Toubou, Hadjerai, Fulbe, Kotoko,
Kanembou, Baguirmi, Boulala, Zaghawa, and Maba)
south: non-Muslims (Sara, Ngambaye, Mbaye, Goulaye, Moundang,
Moussei, Massa)

Religions: Muslim 50%, Christian 25%, indigenous beliefs (mostly
animism) 25%

Languages: French (official), Arabic (official), Sara and Sango
(in south), more than 100 different languages and dialects

Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write in French or Arabic
(1995 est.)
total population: 48.1%
male: 62.1%
female: 34.7%

Government
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Name of country:
conventional long form: Republic of Chad
conventional short form: Chad
local long form: Republique du Tchad
local short form: Tchad

Data code: CD

Type of government: republic

Capital: N'Djamena

Administrative divisions: 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

Independence: 11 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday: Independence Day, 11 August (1960)

Constitution: 31 March 1995, passed by referendum

Legal system: based on French civil law system and Chadian
customary law; does not accept compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: NA years of age; universal

Executive branch:
chief of state: President Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY (since 4 December
1990, after seizing power on 3 December 1990); note - transitional
government's mandate was scheduled to expire in May 1996; the first
round of presidential elections was scheduled for 2 June 1996, with
a runoff on 23 June if necessary
head of government: Prime Minister Djimasta KOIBLA (since 9 April
1995) elected by the Sovereign National Conference
cabinet: Council of State appointed by the president on
recommendation of the prime minister

Legislative branch: unicameral
Higher Transitional Council (Conseil Superieur de Transition:
popular elections to the former Nationa