Guéra Region

Geography

Chad has a general elevation of 240 m (790 ft) in Lake Chad Depression towards Guera massif located at an elevation of 1,800 m (5,900 ft) and eastwards towards mountaineous Saharan region of 3,350 m (10,990 ft). The only rivers in the country of importance are Chari and Logone, flowing into Lake Chad. The region receives an annual rainfall of 744 mm (29.3 in) and has vegetational zones. The region is the principal agricultural producing area in the whole country, producing cotton and groundnut, the two main cashcrops of the country. There are a variety of local crops like rice are also grown in the region.

Demographics

The main ethnico-linguistic groups are the Hadjerai (66.18%) and the Arabs (21.11%). Per the census of 2009, the population of the region was 553,795, 51.80 per cent female. The average size of household as of 2009 is 5.20: 5.20 in rural households and 5.30 in urban areas. The number of households was 106,348: 91,557 in rural areas and 14,791 in urban areas. The number of nomads in the region was 15,417, 4.00 per cent of the population. There were 552,378 people residing in private households. There were 239,451 above 18 years of age: 107,285 male and 132,166 female. The sex ratio was 93.00 females for every hundred males. There were 538,378 sedentary staff, 5.00 of the population. Guera is one of the 23 regions of Chad and has the Head Post Office of the region is located in the capital. As of 2015, internet and telephone were limited and post was the primary mode of communication.

Administration

The region of Guéra is divided into four departments, namely, Guéra (capital Mongo), Barh Signaka (capital Melfi), Abtouyour (capital Bitkine and Mangalmé Department (capital Mangalmé). Chad became independent in 1961 from the French Colonial Empire. On account of ensuing political instability and local civil wars, it continued as a one party democracy till 1991, while other parties were also allowed. All the powers rested centrally with the President. As a part of decentralization in February 2003, the country is administratively split into regions, departments, municipalities and rural communities. The prefectures which were originally 14 in number were re-designated in 17 regions. The regions are administered by Governors appointed by the President. The Prefects, who originally held the responsibility of the 14 prefects, still retained the titles and were responsible for the administration of smaller departments in each region. The members of local assemblies are elected every six years, while the executive organs are elected every three years. As of 2016, there are totally 23 regions in Chad, which are divided based on population and administrative convenience.