The Republic of Chad, a landlocked country of central Africa, is the largest country of former French Equatorial Africa. It has an area of 495,755 sq. mi. (1,284,000 sq. km.) and a population of 7.27 million. Capital: N?Djamena. An expanding livestock industry produces camels, cattle, and sheep. Cotton (the chief product), ivory, and palm oil are important exports. ,Although supposedly known to Ptolemy, the Chad area was first visited by Europeans in 1823. Exaggerated estimates of its economic importance led to a race for its possession (1890-93) which resulted in territory being divided by treaty between Great Britain, France, and Germany. As a consequence of World War I, the German area was mandated to France in 1919. Chad was absorbed into the colony of French Equatorial Africa, as a part of Ubangi-Shari, in 1910 and became a separate colony in 1920. Upon dissolution of French Equatorial Africa in 1959, the component states became autonomous members of the French Union. Chad became an independent republic on August 11, 1960.,, ,Conflicts between the government and secessionists began in 1965 and developed into civil war. A ceasefire in 1987 was followed by an attempted coup. In 1990, Idress Deby declared himself president.,, ,For later issues, see Central African States.,, Monetary System:,,, ,1 Franc = 100 Centimes,, Signature Varieties:,,, ,Refer to introduction to Central African States.,,