Chari

The Chari River, sometimes known as the Shari River, is a 1,400 km (870 mi) long river in Central Africa. It is the main source of water for Lake Chad. This river is reported to have been home to the Sao people. It is home to a large portion of Chad's population, including Sarh and the capital, N'Djamena. It ranks 4th among the longest rivers in Cameroon.

The Chari River travels from the Central African Republic to Lake Chad, following the Cameroon border from N'Djamena, where it is joined by the Logone River, its western and main tributary. It supplies 90% of the water that flows into Lake Chad. The river's catchment spans 548,747 square kilometers (211,872 sq mi). The Logone River is the main tributary, with lesser tributaries including the Bahr Salamat, Bahr Sah), Bahr Aouk, and Bahr Kéita.

The river is home to a thriving local fishing business. Chari is a major fishing ground for many local populations since it provides excellent habitat for various fish species such as nile and perch. The Nile perch is one of the most desirable local fish. There have been plans since the 1960s to move water from the Ubangi River to the Chari in order to resuscitate Lake Chad, which would represent a reversal of the Congo's acquisition of the upper Ubangi from the Chari in the early Pleistocene.

Length: 1,400 km (870 mi)