Chad–Nigeria relations in the late 1970s, clashes occurred around Lake Chad, where both countries hoped to exploit oil reserves. Both also sought to defuse these confrontations, first by establishing joint patrols and a commission to demarcate the boundary across the lake more clearly. Then in the early 1980s, the low level of Lake Chad brought a series of tiny islands into view, leading to further disputes and disrupting long-standing informal trade networks. This relationship was also complicated by Nigeria's own instability in the north, generated by rising Islamic fundamentalism. Thousands of casualties occurred as the result of violent clashes in Nigeria throughout
Geography of Chad same location. Similar temperature rises were also reported in Niger, which began to enter a famine situation. On 26 July the heat reached near-record levels over Chad and Niger. Area: <br>"total:" 1.284 million km² <br>"land:" 1,259,200 km² <br>"water:" 24,800 km² Area - comparative: <br>Canada: smaller than the Northwest Territories <br>US: slightly more than three times the size of California Land boundaries: <br>"total:" 6,406 km <br>"border countries:" Cameroon 1,116 km, Central African Republic 1,556 km, Libya 1,050 km, Niger 1,196 km, Nigeria 85 km, Sudan 1,403 km Coastline: 0 km (landlocked) Maritime claims: none (landlocked) Elevation extremes: <br>"lowest point:" Djourab Depression