# N'Djamena

> capital and largest city of Chad

**Wikidata**: [Q3659](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3659)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N'Djamena)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/n-djamena

## Summary
N'Djamena is the capital and largest city of Chad, located on the Chari River. Founded in 1900 as Fort Lamy, it was renamed N'Djamena in 1973 and serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. The city has a population of approximately 1.09 million people, with significant historical and administrative importance in the region.

## Key Facts
- Capital and largest city of Chad, established in 1900 as Fort Lamy.
- Renamed N'Djamena in 1973, replacing the previous name.
- Located on the Chari River, with coordinates at 12.11° N, 15.05° E.
- Has an area of 100 square kilometers.
- Population: 1,092,066 (2012), with historical records showing growth from 9,976 in 1937 to 130,000 by 1970.
- Official languages include Lagwan, Malgbe, Maslam, and Mser.
- Timezone: UTC+01:00.
- Elevation: 298 meters above sea level.
- Significant event: Floods in 2024, with preventive measures implemented.
- Administrative divisions: Capital of Chad, Chari-Baguirmi Prefecture, and French Chad.
- Replaced Fort Lamy as the capital in 1960.
- Part of Sahelian Chad.
- Coordinates: 12.11° N, 15.05° E.
- Local dialing code: +235.
- Notable for its role as a border city and big city in Chad.
- Significant in history as a key administrative and economic hub.

## FAQs
**What is the population of N'Djamena?**
N'Djamena has a population of approximately 1.09 million people, with historical records showing fluctuations from 9,976 in 1937 to 130,000 by 1970.

**When was N'Djamena founded?**
N'Djamena was founded in 1900 as Fort Lamy, later renamed in 1973.

**What languages are spoken in N'Djamena?**
The official languages spoken in N'Djamena include Lagwan, Malgbe, Maslam, Mser, Musgu, Mpade, Beraku, Bagirmi, and Chadian Sign Language.

**What is the timezone of N'Djamena?**
N'Djamena operates on the UTC+01:00 timezone.

**What is the elevation of N'Djamena?**
N'Djamena is located at an elevation of 298 meters above sea level.

**What significant events have occurred in N'Djamena?**
A significant event in N'Djamena was the floods in 2024, which prompted preventive measures.

**What administrative divisions is N'Djamena part of?**
N'Djamena serves as the capital of Chad, Chari-Baguirmi Prefecture, and French Chad.

**What is the local dialing code for N'Djamena?**
The local dialing code for N'Djamena is +235.

## Why It Matters
N'Djamena is of significant importance as the capital and largest city of Chad, serving as the political, economic, and cultural center of the country. Its strategic location on the Chari River and its historical role as a key administrative hub make it a vital part of Chad's infrastructure and governance. The city's population and economic activities contribute to the overall development of the region, and its administrative divisions ensure effective governance. The city's resilience, as demonstrated by preventive measures during the 2024 floods, highlights its importance in disaster management and urban planning.

## Notable For
- Being the capital and largest city of Chad.
- Serving as a key administrative and economic hub.
- Strategic location on the Chari River.
- Historical significance as a former Fort Lamy.
- Resilience demonstrated through flood prevention measures.
- Official languages include Lagwan, Malgbe, Maslam, and Mser.
- Timezone: UTC+01:00.
- Elevation: 298 meters above sea level.
- Population: 1,092,066 (2012).
- Significant event: Floods in 2024 with preventive measures.

## Body
### History
N'Djamena was founded in 1900 as Fort Lamy, a strategic military post during French colonial rule. It was renamed N'Djamena in 1973, reflecting the country's independence and the need for a more locally recognized name. The city has evolved from a small military outpost to a major urban center, playing a crucial role in Chad's political and economic development.

### Geography
Located on the Chari River, N'Djamena has coordinates of 12.11° N, 15.05° E, and an area of 100 square kilometers. Its elevation of 298 meters above sea level contributes to its climate and urban planning. The city is part of Sahelian Chad, a region known for its unique ecological and cultural characteristics.

### Demographics
N'Djamena has a population of approximately 1.09 million people, with historical records showing growth from 9,976 in 1937 to 130,000 by 1970. The city's demographic composition reflects the diverse ethnic and linguistic groups in Chad, with official languages including Lagwan, Malgbe, Maslam, and Mser.

### Administration
As the capital of Chad, N'Djamena serves as the center of government and administration. It is also part of Chari-Baguirmi Prefecture and French Chad, ensuring effective governance and regional coordination. The city's administrative divisions and local dialing code (+235) support its role as a key urban and political hub.

### Economy and Infrastructure
N'Djamena is a significant economic and infrastructure hub, with a strategic location on the Chari River. Its population and economic activities contribute to the overall development of Chad, and its resilience, as demonstrated by preventive measures during the 2024 floods, highlights its importance in disaster management and urban planning.

### Culture and Language
The official languages spoken in N'Djamena include Lagwan, Malgbe, Maslam, Mser, Musgu, Mpade, Beraku, Bagirmi, and Chadian Sign Language. The city's cultural landscape is rich and diverse, reflecting the heritage and traditions of Chad's people.

### Notable Events
A significant event in N'Djamena's history was the floods in 2024, which prompted preventive measures to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. This event underscores the city's importance in disaster management and community resilience.

### Related Entities
N'Djamena is connected to various entities, including Toulouse, Stupino, and Istanbul, through twinning relationships. These connections highlight the city's role in international relations and cultural exchange. Additionally, N'Djamena is part of the broader Chadian administrative and economic network, ensuring its integration into the regional and national frameworks.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](https://www.ibb.istanbul/icerik/kardes-sehirler)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. BnF authorities
5. MusicBrainz
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2024/12/13/floods-2024-ndjamena-resilience-thanks-to-preventive-measures)
8. FIPS 10-4 Change Notice 13
9. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
10. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
11. GeoNames
12. YSO-Wikidata mapping project
13. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
14. [Source](http://www.mherrera.org/temp.htm)
15. [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/places/inaturalist-places.csv.zip)
16. museum-digital