A state in Central Africa. Area 1284 thousand square kilometres, population 8.7 million. The capital is N'Djamena. Membership in the UPU since 01.07.1876 (indirect), since 23 061961 (direct). Until 1898 the territory of Chad was a part of French Algeria. In 1900 Chad was declared a military territory, in 1903 it became a part of the French Congo colony. After the partition of the colony in 1905, it became part of Ubangi Chad. In 1920 it became a separate colony. Since 1910 it was a part of the federation French Equatorial Africa. Since November 1958 autonomous republic within the French Union. Independence was proclaimed on 11 August 1960.