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N'Djamena

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N'Djamena[a] (English: /əndʒɑːˈmeɪnə/ ⓘ ən-jah-MAY-nə[3][4]) is the capital and largest city of Chad. It is also a special statute region, divided into 10 districts or arrondissements.

N'Djamena
N'Djaména (French)
انجمينا (Arabic)
Fort-Lamy
Capital city
Top: N'Djamena skyline; Middle: National Assembly of Chad, Nation Square (Place de la Nation); Bottom:Downtown N'Djamena
Coat of arms of N'Djamena
Coat of arms
N'Djamena is located in Chad
N'Djamena
N'Djamena
Location in Chad and Africa
N'Djamena is located in Africa
N'Djamena
N'Djamena
N'Djamena (Africa)
Coordinates: 12°06′19″N 15°02′41″E / 12.10528°N 15.04472°E / 12.10528; 15.04472
Country Chad
Area
104 km2 (40 sq mi)
 • Metro
166 km2 (64 sq mi)
Elevation
298 m (978 ft)
Population
 (2009 census)
807,000
 • Density9,148/km2 (23,690/sq mi)
 • Metro
1,605,696
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (West Africa Time)
 • Summer (DST)(Not Observed)
Area code235
HDI (2021)0.432[1]
low · 1st

The city serves as the centre of economic activity in Chad. Meat, fish and cotton processing are the chief industries, and it is a regional market for livestock, salt, dates, and grains.

It is a port city located at the confluence of the Logone River with the Chari River, forming a transborder agglomeration with the city of Kousséri (in Cameroon), capital of the Department of Logone-et-Chari, which is on the west bank of both rivers.[5] In 2014, it had 1,093,492 inhabitants.

History

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A street in N'Djamena, 1952

N'Djamena (from the Arabic name for the village of Nijamina, "the city where one finds rest") was founded as Fort-Lamy by French commander Émile Gentil on 29 May 1900, and named after Amédée-François Lamy, an army officer who had been killed in the Battle of Kousséri about a month earlier.[6][7] It was a major trading city and became the capital of the region and nation.

During the Second World War, the French relied upon the city's airport to move troops and supplies.[8] On 21 January 1942, a lone German Heinkel He 111 of the Sonderkommando Blaich successfully bombed the airfield at Fort-Lamy, destroying oil supplies and ten aircraft.[9]

Fort-Lamy received its first bank branch in 1950, when the Bank of West Africa (BAO) opened a branch there.[citation needed]

On 6 April 1973, President François Tombalbaye[7] changed its name to N'Djamena (taken from the Arabic name of a nearby village, Niǧāmīnā, meaning "place of rest") as part of his authenticité program of Africanization.[10] The city was occupied by Libya during the 1980–81 Libyan intervention as part of the Chadian–Libyan conflict,[11] and the associated Transitional Government of National Unity.[12]

The city was partly destroyed during the Chadian Civil War, in 1979 and again in 1980. In these years, almost all of the population fled the town, searching for refuge on the opposite bank of the Chari River in Cameroon, next to the city of Kousséri. The residents did not return until 1981–82, after the end of the clashes. Until 1984, facilities and services were subject to strict rationing, and schools remained closed.[13]

The period of turmoil in the city was started by the abortive coup attempted by the northerner Prime Minister Hissène Habré against the southerner President Félix Malloum: while Malloum and the national army loyal to him were defeated, the intervention in the battle of other northern factions rival to that of Habré complicated the situation. A temporary truce was reached in 1979 through international mediation, establishing the warlord Goukouni Oueddei as head of a government of national unity with his rival Habré as Defense Minister. The intense rivalry between Goukouni and Habré caused the eruption of new clashes in the city in 1980; N'Djamena found itself divided into sectors controlled by the various warlords. The tug-of-war reached a conclusion after many months only when Goukouni asked for the intervention of the Libyans, whose tanks overwhelmed Habré's defenses in the capital.[14]

Historical population
YearPop.±%
19379,976—    
194012,552+25.8%
194718,375+46.4%
196060,000+226.5%
1970130,000+116.7%
1993530,965+308.4%
2000728,000+37.1%
2009951,418+30.7%
20121,092,066+14.8%
20191,360,000[15]+24.5%

Following differences between Goukouni and Muammar Gaddafi and international disapproval of Libyan intervention, the Libyan troops left the capital and Chad in 1981. This opened the door to Habré, who marched on N'Djamena, occupying the city with little resistance in 1982 and installing himself as the new president.[16] He was eventually dislodged in a similar fashion in 1990 by a former general of his, Idriss Déby.[citation needed]

The city had only 9,976 inhabitants in 1937, but a decade later, in 1947, the population had almost doubled to 18,435. In 1968, after independence, the population reached 126,483. In 1993, it surpassed half a million with 529,555. A good deal of this growth has been due to refugees fleeing into N'Djamena for security, although many people fled N'Djamena, also depending on the political situation.[8] The city surpassed the million mark in population by the early 2010s.

On 13 April 2006, a rebel United Front for Democratic Change attack on the city was defeated[17] in the Battle of N'Djamena. The city was once again attacked on 2 February 2008, by UFDD and RFC rebels.[18] (See Battle of N'Djamena (2008))

Geography

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N'Djamena is located at 12°06′36″N 15°03′00″E / 12.11000°N 15.05000°E / 12.11000; 15.05000, on the confluence of the Chari and Logone rivers.[8]

While primarily an administrative centre, the city includes the Nassara Strip commercial centre and residential areas, such as Mbololo, Chagoua, Paris Congo and Moursal. The main commercial avenue of the city is the Avenue Charles de Gaulle.

Environment

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N'Djamena is Africa's most polluted city.[19]

Climate

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N'Djamena has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh) with a short wet season and a lengthy dry season. Despite the fact that the city receives on average approximately 510 mm (20 in) of rainfall annually, due to the area's very high evapotranspiration, N'Djamena still falls into the semi-arid climate category. The wet season lasts from June to September, with the heaviest rain occurring in August. The dry season essentially covers the remaining eight months. Based on annual temperatures, N'Djamena is one of the hottest major cities on the planet. In only one month of the year (August) do average monthly high temperatures fail to cross the 32 °C (90 °F) mark. The city's highest temperatures are usually seen between March and May, just before the onset of the heavier rains.

Climate data for N'Djamena (1991-2020, extremes 1985-present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 41.5
(106.7) 		43.9
(111.0) 		46.0
(114.8) 		46.6
(115.9) 		46.4
(115.5) 		44.5
(112.1) 		42.0
(107.6) 		38.2
(100.8) 		40.8
(105.4) 		41.8
(107.2) 		42.0
(107.6) 		40.5
(104.9) 		46.6
(115.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 32.7
(90.9) 		36.1
(97.0) 		39.9
(103.8) 		42.0
(107.6) 		41.2
(106.2) 		38.2
(100.8) 		34.1
(93.4) 		31.8
(89.2) 		34.0
(93.2) 		37.6
(99.7) 		37.1
(98.8) 		33.8
(92.8) 		36.5
(97.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 23.6
(74.5) 		26.8
(80.2) 		31.1
(88.0) 		34.1
(93.4) 		34.2
(93.6) 		31.9
(89.4) 		28.8
(83.8) 		27.3
(81.1) 		28.6
(83.5) 		30.1
(86.2) 		28.1
(82.6) 		24.4
(75.9) 		29.2
(84.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 14.8
(58.6) 		17.7
(63.9) 		22.7
(72.9) 		26.1
(79.0) 		27.0
(80.6) 		25.7
(78.3) 		23.7
(74.7) 		22.9
(73.2) 		23.4
(74.1) 		22.9
(73.2) 		19.3
(66.7) 		15.6
(60.1) 		21.9
(71.4)
Record low °C (°F) 6.5
(43.7) 		10.0
(50.0) 		14.6
(58.3) 		18.4
(65.1) 		20.6
(69.1) 		20.3
(68.5) 		19.4
(66.9) 		18.5
(65.3) 		18.5
(65.3) 		16.2
(61.2) 		13.4
(56.1) 		10.0
(50.0) 		6.5
(43.7)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.3
(0.01) 		10.3
(0.41) 		25.8
(1.02) 		51.0
(2.01) 		143.8
(5.66) 		174.4
(6.87) 		84.3
(3.32) 		20.3
(0.80) 		0.1
(0.00) 		0.0
(0.0) 		510.3
(20.1)
Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) 0 0 1 3 6 9 13 15 9 3 1 0 60
Average relative humidity (%) 29 23 21 28 39 52 68 76 72 49 33 31 43
Mean monthly sunshine hours 297.6 277.2 282.1 273.0 285.2 258.0 213.9 201.5 228.0 285.2 300.0 303.8 3,205.5
Mean daily sunshine hours 9.6 9.9 9.1 9.1 9.2 8.6 6.9 6.5 7.6 9.2 10.0 9.8 8.8
Source 1: Météo Climat,[20] World Meteorological Organization (rainfall/rain days)[21]
Source 2: NOAA (sun, humidity 1961-1990 and extremes),[22][23] Extreme Temperature Around The World [24]

Economy

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N’Djamena seen from the International Space Station in 2010

N'Djamena's primary economic source is agricultural work. About 80% of the population within N'Djamena works within farming-based industries, including cultivation of crops and growing livestock. The economy in N'Djamena is therefore almost totally reliant on good weather, making the economy struggle in years with low rainfall. N'Djamena receives financial aid from the World Bank, as well as the African Development Bank. There is a high demand for skilled laborers within N'Djamena to work for oil and gas sectors, as well as laborers for foreign non-governmental organizations, medical services, and English teaching. Residents of N'Djamena are liable to pay tax up to a maximum amount of 60% of all net income.[25]

Culture

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The Dary festival in N'Djamena

Attractions in the city include the Chad National Museum, the Al-Mouna Cultural Center, Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, and several mosques. Within the Chad National Museum, one can view the partial skull of a Sahelanthropus, called by locals as "Toumaï".[26] This skull was discovered in the northern part of Chad and is considered to be from one of the earliest human ancestors.[27] Views of sunset across the Chari River can also be spectacular. N’Djamena was named Capital of Islamic Culture in 2009.[28]

Education

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The Chad National Museum and the National Library of Chad in N'Djamena

In N'Djamena, education can be thought of as a luxury even though it is compulsory and free and has been since Chad's independence in 1960.[29] Not more than forty percent of elementary age children in Chad have an opportunity to attend classes and with N'Djamena's poor state stability it is even harder for children to get an education. After progressing through elementary school, some students go on to a university.[30] N'Djamena has two universities: the University of N'Djamena with French as the language of instruction, built in 1971;[31] and King Faisal University - Chad with Arabic as the language of instruction,[32] built in 1991. Secondary schools include the long established Lycée Félix Éboué and Lycée technique commercial, the Lycée Montaigne de N'Djamena (French international school). Secondary school within Chad is mandatory, however only 68% of students over the age of 12 attend school. Of that 68%, 70% of these students attend school within N'Djamena. Many of the students in international schools are children of executives, diplomats, and non-governmental organization employees.[33][unreliable source?]

Places of worship

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Our Lady of Peace Cathedral, N'Djamena.

Among the places of worship, they are predominantly Muslim mosques. There are also Christian churches and temples: Roman Catholic Archdiocese of N'Djaména (Catholic Church), Evangelical Church of Chad, Christian Assemblies in Chad (Plymouth Brethren).[34]

Government

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National Assembly of Chad

N'Djamena is the home of the National Assembly of Chad, along with many political organisations and parties, and every national ministry. The Supreme Court and Court of Appeal are also in N'Djamena, along with every major embassy in Chad, including the French and US embassies.[35] It is sometimes considered within the region of Chari-Baguirmi, although separate.[36]

Transport

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Road

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N'Djamena International Airport

The city is the eastern terminus of the Trans-Sahelian Highway, and is linked to East Africa by the (largely unpaved) N'Djamena–Djibouti Highway. The Tripoli-Cape Town Highway also passes through N'Djamena, making it a key Central African location in the Trans-African Highway network.[37] N'Djamena is linked by road bridge to Kousséri in Cameroon.

Airport

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N'Djamena International Airport Hassan Djamous (IATA code NDJ) is located on the outskirts of the city.

River travel

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Historically, N'Djamena's main link to the exterior was by river boat up the Chari and Logone rivers, but these now carry little trade.[38]

Railway

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The city has no railway links. However, railways have been proposed.[39]

Twin cities

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Notable people

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Notes

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  1. ^

References

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Citations

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  1. ^ "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Archived from the original on 2018-09-23. Retrieved 2018-09-13.
  2. ^ "World Gazetteer". Archived from the original on 11 January 2013.
  3. ^ "Definition of N'Djamena". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  4. ^ "N'Djamena". Lexico UK English Dictionary US English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 2022-01-26.
  5. ^ Cahiers de l'Afrique de l'Ouest Dynamiques de l'Urbanisation Africaine 2020: Africapolis, Une Nouvelle Géographie Urbaine. OECD. 20 February 2020
  6. ^ Roman Adrian Cybriwsky, Capital Cities around the World: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2013, p. 208
  7. ^ a b Zurocha-Walske, Christine (2009). Chad in Pictures. Twenty-First Century Books. p. 17. ISBN 978-1-57505-956-3. Archived from the original on 2016-04-30. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
  8. ^ a b c Zeleza, Tiyambe; Dickson Eyoh (2003). Encyclopedia of twentieth-century African history. Taylor & Francis. p. 379. ISBN 978-0-415-23479-5. Archived from the original on 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
  9. ^ MESSERSCHMITT Bf 108 – 'TAIFUN' Archived 2012-03-23 at the Wayback Machine accessed: 29 April 2011
  10. ^ Rice, Eleanor (3 Feb 1974). "Nationalism, Drought Make the News in Chad". Arizona Daily Star. p. 91. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  11. ^ "N'Djamena (Chad)". Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 2009. Archived from the original on 25 March 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2009.
  12. ^ Collelo, Thomas (December 1988). Chad: A Country Study. Federal Research Division. Civil War and Multilateral Mediation, 1979–82.
  13. ^ Samuel Decalo, Historical Dictionary of Chad, Scarecrow, 1987, pp. 229–230
  14. ^ Robert Buijtenhuijs, Le Frolinat et les guerres civiles du Tchad, Karthala, 1987, pp. 67–175
  15. ^ "Major Agglomerations of the World - Population Statistics and Maps". Citypopulation.de. Archived from the original on 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2019-04-10.
  16. ^ R. Buijtenhuijs, Le Frolinat et les guerres civiles du Tchad, pp. 177–225
  17. ^ "UN condemns rebel attack in Chad". BBC News. 2006-04-14. Archived from the original on 2008-02-09.
  18. ^ "Rebels clash with Chadian forces inside capital". February 2, 2008. Archived from the original on February 4, 2008. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  19. ^ "World's most polluted cities (historical data 2017-2021)". www.iqair.com.
  20. ^ "Météo Climat stats for N'Djamena 1991–2020". Météo Climat. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  21. ^ "World Weather Information Service–Ndjamena". World Meteorological Organization. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  22. ^ "ND'Jamena Climate Normals 1961–1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  23. ^ "Global Surface Summary of the Day - GSOD". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  24. ^ "January record low". Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  25. ^ "Working in N'Djamena". InterNations. Archived from the original on 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2016-11-12.
  26. ^ "Chad National Museum". Afrotourism. Archived from the original on 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  27. ^ Brunet, Michel; Guy, Franck; Pilbeam, David; Mackaye, Hassane Taisso; Likius, Andossa; Ahounta, Djimdoumalbaye; Beauvilain, Alain; Blondel, Cécile; Bocherens, Hervé (2002-07-11). "A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central Africa" (PDF). Nature. 418 (6894): 145–151. doi:10.1038/nature00879. ISSN 0028-0836. PMID 12110880. S2CID 1316969.
  28. ^ "N'Djamena, Capital of Islamic Culture for 2009". 2009. Archived from the original on August 26, 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  29. ^ "Education & Jobs". Our Africa. Archived from the original on 2016-10-29. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  30. ^ "Chad facts, information, pictures | Encyclopedia.com articles about Chad". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
  31. ^ Official website
  32. ^ "Chad's education system follows the model of its former colonizer, France". Bibl.u-szeged.hu. Archived from the original on 2012-05-24. Retrieved 2013-03-26.
  33. ^ "Living in N'Djamena". InterNations. Archived from the original on 2016-11-14. Retrieved 2016-11-13.
  34. ^ J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ‘‘Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices’’, ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 534
  35. ^ Europa Publications (2004). Africa South of the Sahara. Routledge. pp. 235–6. ISBN 978-1-85743-183-4. Archived from the original on 2016-05-13. Retrieved 2015-11-15.
  36. ^ "N'Djamena, Chari-Baguirmi, Chad". Mbendi Information Services. Retrieved 1 December 2009.[permanent dead link‍]
  37. ^ "TRANS-AFRICAN HIGHWAY NETWORK ROUTES" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on April 29, 2017. Retrieved Apr 10, 2019.
  38. ^ N’Djamena | Location & History. Britannica. Retrieved on 2020-05-29.
  39. ^ DVV Media UK. "Work to begin on Chad rail network". Railway Gazette. Archived from the original on 2017-11-17. Retrieved 2017-11-06.
  40. ^ "Toulouse-N'Djamena: une solidarité durable". Adequations (in French). 2008. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2009.
  41. ^ Российско-чадские отношения (in Russian). Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 16 February 2009. Archived from the original on 6 March 2012. Retrieved 2009-07-23.

Sources

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