Faya-Largeau


Faya-Largeau is the largest city in northern Chad and was the capital of the region of Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti. It is now in the Borkou Region, which was formed in 2008 from the Borkou Department of the former Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti region.

History

Originally called Faya, the town was renamed Largeau after French Colonel Étienne Largeau; upon Chadian independence from France, it assumed the name Faya-Largeau. The town was captured by Libya when Libya annexed the Aouzou Strip in 1975, but was retaken by Hissène Habré's forces in 1980. Libya recaptured Faya-Largeau in 1983, but retreated in 1987.

Economy

Due to the considerable underground water supply in the town, the main industry is agriculture, while three lakes lie immediately north of Faya-Largeau. The town is serviced by Faya-Largeau Airport with a paved runway.

Demographics

Climate

Faya-Largeau has a subtropical hot desert climate typical of the Borkou Region lying on the heart of the Sahara Desert. Average maximum temperatures in Faya-Largeau are consistently over from April to September, reaching a maximum of in June. The coolest months are December and January with an average maximum temperature of. Annual precipitation averages only and generally only occurs from June to September, although some years have no rainfall at all. The sunshine duration is one of the highest found in the world with some 3,800 hours of bright sunshine annually, and every month receives an average sunshine duration above 290 hours.