N'Djamena

'''N'Djamena'''{{efn|{{bulleted list|{{langx|fr|N'Djaména}}, {{IPA|fr|n(ə)dʒamena|pron}}|{{langx|ar|انجمينا|Injamīnā}}}}}} ({{IPAc-en|lang|audio=N'Djamena English pronunciation.mp3|ən|dʒ|ɑː|ˈ|m|eɪ|n|ə}} {{respell|ən|jah|MAY|nə}}<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Definition of N'Djamena |url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/N%27Djamena |dictionary=Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary |publisher=Merriam-Webster |access-date=17 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.lexico.com/en/definition/N%27Djamena |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126110547/https://www.lexico.com/en/definition/N%27Djamena |archive-date=2022-01-26 |title=N'Djamena |dictionary=Lexico UK English Dictionary US English Dictionary |publisher=Oxford University Press}}</ref>) is the capital and largest city of Chad. It is also a Special Status Province, divided into 10 districts or ''arrondissements'', similar to the city of Paris.

{{Short description|Capital and largest city of Chad}} {{Infobox settlement  | official_name = N'Djamena | native_name = {{native name|fr|N'Djaména}}<br />{{native name|ar|انجمينا}} | other_name = Fort-Lamy | settlement_type = Capital city and Special Status Province | image_skyline = {{multiple image | border = infobox | total_width = 300 | perrow = 1/2/2/2 | image1 = National Museum and National Library of Chad in N'Djamena - 2014-10-01 a.jpg | caption1 = N'Djamena skyline | image2 = Building_of_National_Assembly_DJAMENA.jpg | caption2 = The National Assembly | image3 = Place de la Nation - N'djamena.jpg | caption3 = Nation Square (''Place de la Nation'') | image4 = Faculté de droit et sciences économiques - université de N'Djaména (2019).png | caption4 = University of N'Djamena | image5 = Mairie de la ville de N'djamena.jpg | caption5 = City Hall of N’Djamena | image6 = Musée national 2.jpg | caption6 = Chad National Museum }} | image_flag = | image_seal = | image_shield = N'Djamena coa.svg | nickname = | motto = | image_map = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Chad#Africa | pushpin_relief = yes | pushpin_label_position = right | pushpin_mapsize = 250 | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = {{Coord|12|06|19|N|15|02|41|E|region:TD-ND_type:city(807000)|display=inline,title}} | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Chad}} | established_title =  | established_date = | established_title2 =  | established_date2 = | established_title3 =  | established_date3 = | government_type =  | government_footnotes = | leader_title = | leader_name =  | area_footnotes =  | area_total_km2 = 104 | area_metro_km2 = 166 | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = | elevation_footnotes =  | elevation_m = 298  | population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.world-gazetteer.com/wg.php?x=&men=gcis&lng=en&des=wg&geo=-205&srt=pnan&col=abcdefghinoq&msz=1500&va=&pt=a |title=World Gazetteer}}{{dead link|date=March 2026}}</ref> | population_total = 807000 | population_as_of = 2009 census | population_density_km2 = 9148 | population_metro = 1605696 | population_density_metro_km2 = | population_note =  | timezone = WAT | utc_offset = +01:00 | timezone_DST = | postal_code_type =  | postal_code = | area_code = 235 | iso_code = TD-ND | website = | flag_size = 123px | blank_name_sec1 = HDI (2023) | blank_info_sec1 = 0.553<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{cite web |url= https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/TCD/?levels=1+4&years=2022&interpolation=0&extrapolation=0|title=Sub-national HDI – Area Database – Global Data Lab |website=hdi.globaldatalab.org |access-date=2025-05-31}}</ref><br/>{{color|#fc0|medium}} · 1st }}

Originally called '''Fort-Lamy''', it was founded in 1900 by the French during their colonization of Central Africa. The city was renamed N'Djamena in 1973, reflecting its local Chadian heritage. Throughout its history, N'Djamena has grown from a small trading hub into the political and economic center of Chad, playing a vital role in the country's development. Its strategic location near the borders of Cameroon and Nigeria has historically made it an important crossroads for trade and cultural exchange in the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dtm.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl1461/files/reports/IOM%20WCA_A%20REGION%20ON%20THE%20MOVE_2020%20%281%29.pdf |title=IOM WCA_A REGION ON THE MOVE_2020 |publisher=International Organization for Migration, Regional Office for West and Central Africa |access-date=2025-06-05}}</ref>

N'Djamena is situated on the Chari River in the southwestern part of Chad, near Lake Chad. The city lies within a semi-arid region characterized by a hot climate with a distinct dry season. Its location on the river provides vital water resources for agriculture and daily life, although the surrounding landscape is largely flat and arid. The city's proximity to Lake Chad also influences its climate and ecology, making it an important area for both local agriculture and regional trade. The geography of N'Djamena has shaped its development as a key urban center in Chad,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/geography-and-cartography/ndjamena-chad |title=N'Djamena. Chad |publisher=EBSCO |date=2025 |access-date=2025-06-05}}</ref> with its strategic position contributing to its historical and economic significance.

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.<ref>[https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/development/cahiers-de-l-afrique-de-l-ouest_20743556 Cahiers de l'Afrique de l'Ouest Dynamiques de l'Urbanisation Africaine 2020: Africapolis, Une Nouvelle Géographie Urbaine]. OECD. 20 February 2020</ref>

== Etymology ==

The name "N'Djamena" is derived from the Arabic term "Niǧāmīnā" (نجامينا), meaning "place of rest" or "place of peace".<ref name="Why the Name: N'Djamena">{{cite web |title=Why the Name: N'Djamena? |url=https://afrolegends.com/2015/05/18/why-the-name-ndjamena/ |website=African Heritage |date=18 May 2015 |access-date=2025-06-06}}</ref>

Before its renaming in 1973, the city was known as Fort-Lamy, named after French army officer Amédée-François Lamy. The change to N'Djamena was part of a broader movement to replace colonial names with indigenous ones, reflecting the local Arabic heritage and cultural identity.{{efn|The shift from Fort-Lamy to N'Djamena symbolizes a reclaiming of identity, as the new name is derived from the local Arabic dialect spoken in Chad.}}<ref name="Why the Name: N'Djamena"/><ref name="br12" >{{cite web |title=N'Djamena |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Ndjamena |website=Encyclopedia Britannica |access-date=2025-06-06}}</ref>

The name itself reflects the blending of Arabic linguistic influence and local Chadian culture, illustrating the region's complex historical and cultural interactions.<ref name="br12" />

== History == {{Copy edit|date=March 2026|section}}

=== Early 20th century === thumb|A street in N'Djamena, 1952

N'Djamena was founded as '''Fort-Lamy''' by French commander Émile Gentil on 29 May 1900, named after Amédée-François Lamy, an army officer who had been killed in the Battle of Kousséri about a month earlier.<ref>Roman Adrian Cybriwsky, ''Capital Cities around the World: An Encyclopedia of Geography, History, and Culture'', ABC-CLIO, USA, 2013, p. 208</ref><ref name="inpictures">{{cite book |title=Chad in Pictures |first=Christine |last=Zurocha-Walske |year=2009 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kkB1GaR2SXEC&pg=PT19 |page=17 |isbn=978-1-57505-956-3 |publisher=Twenty-First Century Books |access-date=2015-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430061439/https://books.google.com/books?id=kkB1GaR2SXEC&pg=PT19 |archive-date=2016-04-30 |url-status=live}}</ref> It was merely a colonial outpost in its early days, and until the 1920s, the city was entirely under French military rule.<ref name=Pushcarts>{{cite journal |last1=Maazaz |first1=Ismaël |title=Pushcarts and Fountains: Masculinity, Agency and Labour Culture among Water Workers of N'Djamena, Chad |journal=Development and Change |date=2024 |volume=55 |issue=5 |pages=1051–1077 |doi=10.1111/dech.12801 |doi-access=free }}</ref> It has since expanded into 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.<ref name="encyclo">{{cite book |first=Tiyambe |last=Zeleza |author2=Dickson Eyoh |title=Encyclopedia of twentieth-century African history |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kjUHZrPBPPYC&pg=PA379 |page=379 |isbn=978-0-415-23479-5 |year=2003 |publisher=Taylor & Francis |access-date=2015-11-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160519115813/https://books.google.com/books?id=kjUHZrPBPPYC&pg=PA379 |archive-date=2016-05-19 |url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.wefly.ifield-park.co.uk/photogal/me1082.htm MESSERSCHMITT Bf 108 – 'TAIFUN'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323101717/http://www.wefly.ifield-park.co.uk/photogal/me1082.htm |date=2012-03-23}} accessed: 29 April 2011</ref>

Fort-Lamy received its first bank branch in 1950, when the Paris-based Banque de l'Afrique Occidentale opened a branch there.{{citation needed|date=May 2013}}

=== Late 20th century === Chad gained its independence from France in 1960. On 6 April 1973, President François Tombalbaye<ref name="inpictures"/> changed the city's 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rice |first=Eleanor |date=3 Feb 1974 |title=Nationalism, Drought Make the News in Chad |language=en |page=91 |work=Arizona Daily Star |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/166479676 |url-access=subscription |access-date=31 May 2023}}</ref> The city was occupied by Libya during the 1980–81 Libyan intervention as part of the Chadian–Libyan conflict,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica Online|title=N'Djamena (Chad)|year=2009|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/407350/NDjamena|access-date=29 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110325015200/https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/407350/NDjamena|archive-date=25 March 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> and the associated Transitional Government of National Unity.<ref>{{Country study |country=Chad |abbr=td |section=Civil War and Multilateral Mediation, 1979–82 |author=Collelo, Thomas |editor= |date=December 1988 |pd=no}}</ref>

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, seeking 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.<ref>Samuel Decalo, ''Historical Dictionary of Chad'', Scarecrow, 1987, pp. 229–230</ref>

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.<ref>Robert Buijtenhuijs, ''Le Frolinat et les guerres civiles du Tchad'', Karthala, 1987, pp. 67–175</ref> {{Historical populations |1937|9,976 |1940|12,552 |1947|18,375 |1960|60,000 |1970|130,000 |1993|530,965 |2000|728,000 |2009|951,418 |2012|1,092,066 |2019|1,360,000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html |title=Major Agglomerations of the World – Population Statistics and Maps |publisher=Citypopulation.de |access-date=2019-04-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180913144137/http://citypopulation.de/world/Agglomerations.html |archive-date=2018-09-13 |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

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.<ref>R. Buijtenhuijs, ''Le Frolinat et les guerres civiles du Tchad'', pp. 177–225</ref> He was eventually dislodged in a similar fashion in 1990 by a former general of his, Idriss Déby.{{citation needed|date = May 2013}}

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.<ref name="encyclo"/> The city surpassed the million mark in population by the early 2010s.{{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}

=== 21st century === On 13 April 2006, a rebel United Front for Democratic Change attack on the city was defeated<ref>{{Cite news |date=2006-04-14 |title=UN condemns rebel attack in Chad |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4908836.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209213918/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4908836.stm |archive-date=2008-02-09}}</ref> in the Battle of N'Djamena. The city was once again attacked on 2 February 2008, by UFDD and RFC rebels in the Battle of N'Djamena (2008).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna22962528|title=Rebels clash with Chadian forces inside capital|publisher=NBC News |date=February 2, 2008|access-date=February 3, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204023054/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22962528/|archive-date=February 4, 2008|url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2020}}, French military forces maintained a base in N'Djamena to counter rebels from the Sahel.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Muvunyi |first1=Fred |title=Chad: 60 years of independence |url=https://www.dw.com/en/how-free-is-chad-60-years-after-independence/a-54486432 |website=dw.com |access-date=8 November 2025 |language=en |date=8 October 2020}}</ref>

== Geography == N'Djamena is located at {{Coord|12|06|36|N|15|03|00|E|type:city|display=inline}}, on the confluence of the Chari and Logone rivers.<ref name="encyclo"/>

The city is formally divided into 10 administrative districts, which are loosely grouped into three distinct areas of the city. There is an old colonial core along the Chari River which houses much of the administrative institutions that fulfill N'Djamena's role as national capital. To the north and east of the core, there is newer construction, referred to by some residents as the "African city", with mixed-class residents and much of the city's trade. Most of the city's current growth is in the third area, even further east, with limited formal infrastructure.<ref name=Pushcarts />

While primarily an administrative centre, the city includes the Nassara Strip commercial centre and residential areas, such as Mbololo, Chagoua, Paris Congo and Moursal. {{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}The main commercial avenue of the city is the Avenue Charles de Gaulle.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2011-07-19 |title=Chad: Where to go out in N’Djamena |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/8533/chad-where-to-go-out-in-ndjamena/ |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=The Africa Report |language=en}}</ref>

==Climate== 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 {{convert|510|mm|0|abbr=on}} of rainfall annually, due to the area's very high evapotranspiration, N'Djamena still falls into the semi-arid climate category.{{cn|date=November 2025}} The wet season lasts from June to September, with the heaviest rain occurring in August. The dry season essentially covers the remaining eight months.<ref name="HeavyMetal2017">{{cite journal |last1=Nambatingar |first1=N'garam |last2=Clement |first2=Yohann |last3=Merle |first3=Alain |last4=New Mahamat |first4=Tchadanaye |last5=Lanteri |first5=Pierre |title=Heavy Metal Pollution of Chari River Water during the Crossing of N'Djamena (Chad) |journal=Toxics |date=2017 |volume=5 |issue=4 |page=26 |doi=10.3390/toxics5040026 |pmid=29051458 |pmc=5750554 |bibcode=2017Toxic...5...26N |doi-access=free }}</ref> 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 {{convert|32|°C|0|abbr=on}} mark. The city's highest temperatures are usually seen between March and May, just before the onset of the heavier rains. {{Weather box |location = N'Djamena (1991–2020, extremes 1985–present) |metric first= Y |single line= Y |collapsed = yes |width = auto |Jan record high C = 41.5 |Feb record high C = 43.9 |Mar record high C = 46.0 |Apr record high C = 46.6 |May record high C = 46.4 |Jun record high C = 44.5 |Jul record high C = 42.0 |Aug record high C = 38.2 |Sep record high C = 40.8 |Oct record high C = 41.8 |Nov record high C = 42.0 |Dec record high C = 40.5 |year record high C = |Jan high C = 32.7 |Feb high C = 36.1 |Mar high C = 39.9 |Apr high C = 42.0 |May high C = 41.2 |Jun high C = 38.2 |Jul high C = 34.1 |Aug high C = 31.8 |Sep high C = 34.0 |Oct high C = 37.6 |Nov high C = 37.1 |Dec high C = 33.8 |Jan mean C = 23.6 |Feb mean C = 26.8 |Mar mean C = 31.1 |Apr mean C = 34.1 |May mean C = 34.2 |Jun mean C = 31.9 |Jul mean C = 28.8 |Aug mean C = 27.3 |Sep mean C = 28.6 |Oct mean C = 30.1 |Nov mean C = 28.1 |Dec mean C = 24.4 |year mean C = 29.2 |Jan low C = 14.8 |Feb low C = 17.7 |Mar low C = 22.7 |Apr low C = 26.1 |May low C = 27.0 |Jun low C = 25.7 |Jul low C = 23.7 |Aug low C = 22.9 |Sep low C = 23.4 |Oct low C = 22.9 |Nov low C = 19.3 |Dec low C = 15.6 |year high C= 36.5 |year low C= 21.9 |year high F = |year low F = |Jan record low C = 6.5 |Feb record low C = 10.0 |Mar record low C = 14.6 |Apr record low C = 18.4 |May record low C = 20.6 |Jun record low C = 20.3 |Jul record low C = 19.4 |Aug record low C = 18.5 |Sep record low C = 18.5 |Oct record low C = 16.2 |Nov record low C = 13.4 |Dec record low C = 10.0 |year record low C = |rain colour = green |Jan rain mm = 0.0 |Feb rain mm = 0.0 |Mar rain mm = 0.3 |Apr rain mm = 10.3 |May rain mm = 25.8 |Jun rain mm = 51.0 |Jul rain mm = 143.8 |Aug rain mm = 174.4 |Sep rain mm = 84.3 |Oct rain mm = 20.3 |Nov rain mm = 0.1 |Dec rain mm = 0.0 |year rain mm = |Jan humidity = 29 |Feb humidity = 23 |Mar humidity = 21 |Apr humidity = 28 |May humidity = 39 |Jun humidity = 52 |Jul humidity = 68 |Aug humidity = 76 |Sep humidity = 72 |Oct humidity = 49 |Nov humidity = 33 |Dec humidity = 31 |year humidity = 43 |unit rain days = 0.1 mm |Jan rain days = 0 |Feb rain days = 0 |Mar rain days = 1 |Apr rain days = 3 |May rain days = 6 |Jun rain days = 9 |Jul rain days = 13 |Aug rain days = 15 |Sep rain days = 9 |Oct rain days = 3 |Nov rain days = 1 |Dec rain days = 0 |Jan sun = 297.6 |Feb sun = 277.2 |Mar sun = 282.1 |Apr sun = 273.0 |May sun = 285.2 |Jun sun = 258.0 |Jul sun = 213.9 |Aug sun = 201.5 |Sep sun = 228.0 |Oct sun = 285.2 |Nov sun = 300.0 |Dec sun = 303.8 |year sun = 3205.5 |Jand sun = 9.6 |Febd sun = 9.9 |Mard sun = 9.1 |Aprd sun = 9.1 |Mayd sun = 9.2 |Jund sun = 8.6 |Juld sun = 6.9 |Augd sun = 6.5 |Sepd sun = 7.6 |Octd sun = 9.2 |Novd sun = 10.0 |Decd sun = 9.8 |yeard sun = 8.8 |source 1 = Météo Climat,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/listenormale-1991-2020-1-p215.php | title = Météo Climat stats for N'Djamena 1991–2020 | publisher = Météo Climat | access-date = 15 October 2017}}</ref> World Meteorological Organization (rainfall/rain days)<ref name= WMO>{{cite web | url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=256 | title = World Weather Information Service–Ndjamena | publisher = World Meteorological Organization | access-date = October 19, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073518/http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=256 | archive-date = March 4, 2016 }}</ref> |source 2 = NOAA (sun, humidity 1961–1990 and extremes),<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web | url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-I/TE/64700.TXT | title = ND'Jamena Climate Normals 1961–1990 | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = October 19, 2015 | archive-date = June 22, 2024 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240622160604/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-I/TE/64700.TXT }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=global-summary-of-the-day&stations=48955099999&startDate=1700-01-01&endDate=2023-12-31&dataTypes=MAX,MIN,PRCP | title = Global Surface Summary of the Day – GSOD | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | access-date = January 26, 2023 }}</ref> Extreme Temperature Around The World<ref> {{cite web | url = https://www.mherrera.org/temp.htm | title = January record low | language = en | access-date = 3 July 2023}}</ref> }}

N'Djamena's climate is affected by the collision of two large air masses over Chad, one continental and one maritime, whose interactions can produce unpredictable weather.<ref name=HeavyMetal2017/> According to the World Air Quality Report 2024, N'Djamena is one of the world's 20 most polluted cities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-03-12 |title=With 13 of 20 most polluted cities, India ranks 5th globally |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/with-13-of-20-most-polluted-cities-india-ranks-5th-globally/articleshow/118909491.cms |access-date=2025-03-20 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The water in the Chara River also contains high levels of some heavy metal contaminants, increasing downstream of the city and during the dry season.<ref name=HeavyMetal2017/>

== Economy == [[File:NDjamena, Chad.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.internations.org/ndjamena-expats/guide/working-in-n-djamena-18496|title=Working in N'Djamena|website=InterNations|access-date=2016-11-12|archive-date=2016-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114170043/https://www.internations.org/ndjamena-expats/guide/working-in-n-djamena-18496}}</ref>

== Culture == thumb|left|The Chad National Museum and the National Library of Chad thumb|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 "Toumaï" by locals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://afrotourism.com/attraction/chad-national-museum/|title=Chad National Museum|website=Afrotourism|access-date=2016-11-13|archive-date=2016-11-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114232734/http://afrotourism.com/attraction/chad-national-museum/}}</ref> This skull was discovered in the northern part of Chad and is considered to be from one of the earliest human ancestors.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Brunet|first1=Michel|last2=Guy|first2=Franck|last3=Pilbeam|first3=David|last4=Mackaye|first4=Hassane Taisso|last5=Likius|first5=Andossa|last6=Ahounta|first6=Djimdoumalbaye|last7=Beauvilain|first7=Alain|last8=Blondel|first8=Cécile|last9=Bocherens|first9=Hervé|date=2002-07-11|title=A new hominid from the Upper Miocene of Chad, Central Africa|journal=Nature |volume=418|issue=6894|pages=145–151|doi=10.1038/nature00879|issn=0028-0836|pmid=12110880|s2cid=1316969|url=http://doc.rero.ch/record/13388/files/PAL_E190.pdf }}</ref> N'Djamena was named the "Capital of Islamic Culture" for 2009 by the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.<ref name="CIC">{{cite web|url=http://www.isesco.org.ma/english/capitalsIslamic/N%20Djamena2009/index.php |title=N'Djamena, Capital of Islamic Culture for 2009 |access-date=1 December 2009 |year=2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826145556/http://www.isesco.org.ma/english/capitalsIslamic/N%20Djamena2009/index.php |archive-date=August 26, 2009 }}</ref>

== Education == In N'Djamena, even though primary level education is compulsory and free and has been since Chad's independence in 1960, it is often thought of as a luxury.<ref name="Education & Jobs">{{Cite news|url=http://www.our-africa.org/chad/education-jobs|title=Education & Jobs|newspaper=Our Africa|access-date=2016-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029043655/http://www.our-africa.org/chad/education-jobs|archive-date=2016-10-29}}</ref> Under forty percent of elementary age children in Chad have the opportunity to attend classes, and with N'Djamena's poor state stability it is even harder for children to get an education.{{Citation needed|date=March 2026}}

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 in N'Djamena.{{Clarify|reason=Where do the other 30 percent go? To international schools outside N'Djamena?|date=March 2026}} Secondary schools include the long established{{Clarify|date=March 2026}} Lycée Félix Éboué and Lycée Technique Commercial, along with the Lycée Montaigne de N'Djamena (a French international school). Many of the students in international schools are children of executives, diplomats, and non-governmental organization employees.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.internations.org/ndjamena-expats/guide/living-in-n-djamena-18488|title=Living in N'Djamena|website=InterNations|access-date=2016-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114170003/https://www.internations.org/ndjamena-expats/guide/living-in-n-djamena-18488|archive-date=2016-11-14}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=May 2021}} The best secondary school in N'Djamena is College Sacré-Cœur, a public school administered by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Cities of the world: a compilation of current information on cultural, geographical, and political conditions in the countries and cities of six continents, based on the Department of State's "Post Reports" |date=2002 |publisher=Gale |isbn=978-0-7876-3913-6 |editor-last=Ellicott |editor-first=Karen |edition=6th |series=Gale eBooks |location=Detroit, Mich |pages=106 |editor-last2=United States |editor-last3=Gale (Firm)}}</ref>

N'Djamena has two public universities: the public University of N'Djamena, with French as the primary language of instruction, built in 1971,<ref>{{Cite web |title=University of N'Djaména 2025 Rankings, Courses, Tuition & Admissions |url=https://www.unirank.org/td/uni/university-of-n-djamena/ |access-date=2026-03-28 |website=www.unirank.org |language=en}}</ref> and the National School of Administration, built in 1963.<ref>{{Cite web |title=École Nationale d'Administration, Tchad ENA 2025 Rankings, Courses, Tuition & Admissions |url=https://www.unirank.org/td/uni/ecole-nationale-d-administration-tchad/ |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=www.unirank.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://fieldsupport.dliflc.edu/products/cip/chad/chad.pdf |title=Chad in Perspective - Orientation Guide |date=February 2013 |publisher=Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, Department of Defense |pages=9 |language=en-US}}</ref> Private institutions include the King Faisal University in Chad (Université Roi Fayçal), with Arabic as the primary language of instruction,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/oseas_adsec/chad.htm |title=Chad's education system follows the model of its former colonizer, France |publisher=Bibl.u-szeged.hu |access-date=2013-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120524084402/http://www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/oseas_adsec/chad.htm |archive-date=2012-05-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> founded 1991-1992,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Moussa |first=Adam Youssouf |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1057/9781137552310 |title=Muslim Institutions of Higher Education in Postcolonial Africa |date=2016 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan US |isbn=978-1-349-56717-1 |editor-last=Lo |editor-first=Mbaye |location=New York |page=166 |language=en |chapter=King Faisal University in Chad: Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Prospects |doi=10.1057/9781137552310 |editor-last2=Haron |editor-first2=Muhammed}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Université Roi Fayçal URF 2025 Rankings, Courses, Tuition & Admissions |url=https://www.unirank.org/td/uni/universite-roi-faycal/ |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=www.unirank.org |language=en}}</ref> and Emi Koussi University, founded in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |title=l’Université Emi Koussi promet de perfectionner la qualité de la formation - Africanews |url=http://www.africanews.online/tchad/luniversite-emi-koussi-promet-de-perfectionner-la-qualite-de-la-formation/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905123948/http://www.africanews.online/tchad/luniversite-emi-koussi-promet-de-perfectionner-la-qualite-de-la-formation/ |archive-date=2019-09-05 |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=www.africanews.online |language=fr-FR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Université Emi Koussi UNEK 2025 Rankings, Courses, Tuition & Admissions |url=https://www.unirank.org/td/uni/universite-emi-koussi/ |access-date=2026-03-29 |website=www.unirank.org |language=en}}</ref>

== Places of worship == [[file:Cathédrale Notre-Dame de N'Djaména.jpg|thumb|left|Our Lady of Peace Cathedral]] The places of worship are predominantly Muslim mosques. There are also Christian churches and temples of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of N'Djaména, Evangelical Church of Chad, Christian Assemblies in Chad (Plymouth Brethren).<ref>J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ''Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices'', ABC-CLIO, USA, 2010, p. 534</ref>{{Clarify|date=March 2026}}

== Government == [[file:Building of National Assembly DJAMENA.jpg|thumb|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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Africa South of the Sahara|author=Europa Publications|year=2004|pages=235–6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jj4J-AXGDaQC&pg=PA235|isbn=978-1-85743-183-4|publisher=Routledge|access-date=2015-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513233619/https://books.google.com/books?id=jj4J-AXGDaQC&pg=PA235|archive-date=2016-05-13|url-status=live}}</ref> It is sometimes considered within the region of Chari-Baguirmi, although separate.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mbendi.com/a_sndmsg/place_view.asp?pid=1116|title=N'Djamena, Chari-Baguirmi, Chad|work=Mbendi Information Services|access-date=1 December 2009}}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Transport ==

===Road=== thumb|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://au.int/web/sites/default/files/newsevents/workingdocuments/29736-wd-e_-_tah_annex_i_tah_network.pdf|title=TRANS-AFRICAN HIGHWAY NETWORK ROUTES|access-date=Apr 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429031326/https://au.int/web/sites/default/files/newsevents/workingdocuments/29736-wd-e_-_tah_annex_i_tah_network.pdf|archive-date=April 29, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> N'Djamena is linked by road bridge to Kousséri in Cameroon.

===Airport=== N'Djamena International Airport Hassan Djamous (IATA code NDJ) is located on the outskirts of the city. The airport lists nine passenger destinations served by direct flights: Paris, Istanbul, Sharjah, Cairo, Khartoum, Addis Ababa, Douala, Abuja, and Niamey.<ref>{{cite web |title=Reachable destinations from N'Djamena airport |url=https://www.aeroport-ndjamena.com/en/destinations_ndjamena_airport.php |website=N'Djamena International Airport |access-date=8 November 2025}}</ref>

===River travel=== 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.<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/place/NDjamena N'Djamena | Location & History]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved 2020-05-29.</ref>

===Railway=== The city has no railway links. However, railways have been proposed.<ref>{{cite web |author=DVV Media UK |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/infrastructure/single-view/view/work-to-begin-on-chad-rail-network.html |title=Work to begin on Chad rail network |work=Railway Gazette International |access-date=2017-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117091407/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/infrastructure/single-view/view/work-to-begin-on-chad-rail-network.html |archive-date=2017-11-17 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, Chad signed a contract with a Chinese civil engineering group to build a railway to eventually connect N'Djamena to Sudan and Cameroon, as well as other Chadian cities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Oirere |first1=Shem |title=Chad To Build Its First Railway |url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bth&AN=62843244&site=eds-live&scope=site |publisher=ENR: Engineering News-Record |access-date=8 November 2025 |date=2 May 2011}}</ref> In 2017, a further feasibility study was funded, but {{as of|2025|lc=y}}, no railroads have been built.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Medeiros |first1=Valdemar |title=China planeja megaferrovia de 3.400 km ligando Sudão ao Chade pelo deserto do Saara — e revoluciona o transporte no coração da África |url=https://clickpetroleoegas.com.br/a-construcao-da-ferrovia-que-vai-cortar-o-saara-e-ligar-10-paises-africanos-em-uma-rota-de-mais-de-4-000-km-financiada-pela-china-vml97/ |website=CPG Click Petróleo e Gás |access-date=8 November 2025 |language=pt-BR |date=6 June 2025 |trans-title=China plans 3.400km mega-rail linking Sudan to Chad across the Sahara Desert}}</ref>

==Twin cities== *{{flagicon|FRA}} Toulouse, France; since 1980<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adequations.org/spip.php?article165|title=Toulouse-N'Djamena: une solidarité durable|language=fr|work=Adequations|year=2008|access-date=30 November 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903074936/http://www.adequations.org/spip.php?article165|archive-date=3 September 2011}}</ref> *{{flagicon|RUS}} Stupino, Russia; since 2000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mid.ru/ns-rafr.nsf/89414576079db559432569d8002421fc/d6d8fcf1a1c7ad25c32571210044bea9?OpenDocument|script-title=ru:Российско-чадские отношения|date=16 February 2009|publisher=Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=2009-07-23|language=ru|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120306082902/http://www.mid.ru/ns-rafr.nsf/89414576079db559432569d8002421fc/d6d8fcf1a1c7ad25c32571210044bea9?OpenDocument|archive-date=6 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Notes== {{Notelist}}

==References==

===Citations=== {{Reflist}}

===Sources=== * {{cite web|url=http://worldpopulationreview.com/countries/chad-population/|title=Chad Population (2016) – World Population Review|website=worldpopulationreview.com|access-date=2016-10-28}}

== External links == {{commons category|N'Djamena}} {{Sister project links}} * [http://www.izf.net/izf/documentation/cartes/centreville/Ndjamena.htm Map of N'Djamena] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20060627132246/http://www.izf.net/izf/documentation/cartes/centreville/Ndjamena.htm Archive]) * [http://chadnow.com/chad_travel/travel_to_chad_and_ndjamena.html Best travel guide] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20080908052444/http://chadnow.com/chad_travel/travel_to_chad_and_ndjamena.html Archive]) * [http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html earth-info.nga.mil] ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120504031911/http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html/cntry_files.html Archive]) {{N'Djamena}} {{Regions of Chad}} {{List of African capitals}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:N'djamena}} Category:N'Djamena Category:Capital cities in Africa Category:Populated places in Chad Category:Populated places established in 1900 Category:Logone River Category:French Equatorial Africa Category:Cameroon–Chad border crossings Category:Provinces of Chad

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