Lake Chad   Lake Chad is situated at the heart of Africa in the border region between Chad, Mali, Cameroon and Nigeria. In prehistoric time, Lake Chad once was the biggest lake in the world, covering an area of about 400,000 square kilometers. In the mid-20th century Lake Chad was still one of the biggest lakes in the African continent. But today, it faces extinction. Overgrazing, the detrimental effects of global warming and a surge in population growth led to an ever faster shrinking of the lake’s surface. In just a few years from now, the lake may have vanished from the earth’s face. Rescue attempts are being conducted by groups of international scientists who try to find ways for the local population to more efficiently use the remaining ressources. Also, a scientific study has been commissioned to evaluate the possibility of derouting the mighty Congo river into the Lake Chad bassin in order to top-up the declining water body. If any of those attempts will be successful remains unclear.       © save lake chad 2010.