Lake Chad has shrunk by approximately 90% since the 1960s, from around 25,000 square kilometres to roughly 1,350 square kilometres today. This ecological crisis threatens the livelihoods of over 30 million people who depend on the lake basin across four countries.
Each round presents 10 randomized multiple-choice questions drawn from a pool of 50, so every playthrough is different. You get instant feedback with explanations after each answer, plus a shareable score at the end.
You'll explore the UNESCO-listed Ennedi Plateau with its 7,000-year-old rock art, the Tibesti Mountains containing the highest peak in the Sahara, the ancient Kanem-Bornu Empire, the controversial rule of Hissene Habre (convicted of crimes against humanity), and Chad's complex ethnic tapestry of over 200 groups. Did you know that the last surviving Saharan crocodiles live in the rock pools of Chad's Ennedi Plateau?
Lake Chad has shrunk by about 90% since the 1960s due to a combination of climate change reducing rainfall, increased irrigation withdrawals from the rivers that feed it, and population growth in the basin. The lake once covered 25,000 square kilometres but is now approximately 1,350 square kilometres. There have been proposals to divert water from the Congo River basin to replenish it, but the project remains controversial and unfunded.
The Ennedi Plateau is a sandstone plateau in northeastern Chad that was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016. It features dramatic natural rock arches (including the 120-metre Aloba Arch), thousands of ancient rock paintings and engravings dating back over 7,000 years, and unique water pools called gueltas that support the last surviving Saharan crocodiles.
The internet meme "Chad" (as in "Chad vs. Virgin") is unrelated to the country. The Republic of Chad is a large, landlocked country in Central Africa with a rich history stretching back thousands of years. Its name comes from the Kanuri word "chad" meaning "large expanse of water," referring to Lake Chad. The country deserves recognition for its incredible cultural heritage, not just internet jokes.
Last updated: April 2026