N'Djamena

N'Djamena (formerly Fort-Lamy), city in south-west Chad, capital of the country and of Chari-Baguirmi Prefecture, on the Chari River near its confluence with the Logone River. It is the landlocked nation's economic, administrative, and cultural centre. Meat processing is an important industry. The city is served by several major roads and by an international airport. The Great Mosque (1974-1978) dominates the city, the inhabitants of which are mostly Muslim. Other landmarks include a cathedral, built by the French in colonial times; a museum; and the ruins of the ancient Sao culture. The University of Chad (1971) and the National School of Administration (1963) are located here.

Founded by the French as Fort-Lamy in 1900, the city developed as a colonial administrative and military post for French West Africa. It became the capital of independent Chad in 1960, and took the name N'Djamena in 1973. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, life in the city was disrupted by warfare between political factions. Population 998,000 (1999 estimate).