Mao is a city in Chad, the capital of the Kanem Region and of the department also named Kanem. It is the 16th most populous city in Chad, and is located 226 km north-northeast of N'Djamena. On the border of the Sahara, Mao's geography is marked by sand dunes and sparse vegetation. A large majority of Mao's residents are Muslim. There are two Christian churches in Mao. As in other Chadian regions, Mao is ruled by both a traditional Sultan and by central government officials.