There are several highlands but no true mountain ranges except in the largely empty southern desert near the Chadian border, where the Tibesti Massif rises to over 2,200 metres.

Gendarmerie (rural police) detachments are posted along the road between Maroua and the Chadian border.

During November, December, and January, fires of several kilometres size advance down from the Chadian border.

On 25 March 2003, the rebels seized the garrison town of Tine along the Chadian border, seizing large quantities of supplies and arms.

The camp's real sentry would be the radioman who would be monitoring for emergency reports from the Egyptian or Chadian borders or the Libyan air-defense command.

It also led Gaddafi to drive the Toubou of Libya, who were considered 'black', off Fezzan and across the Chadian border.

South of the Chadian border, the koros divide the Lake Chad Basin from the Ubangi-Zaire river system.

The JEM has a relatively small ethnic base of support, being limited to the Kobe Zaghawa, including many kinsmen from across the Chadian border.

It lies near the Chadian border and 104 km south of Maroua.

Perhaps the most horrifying incident in the new Darfur occurred along the Chadian border at the Aro Sharow camp.