On the border of the Sahara, Mao's geography is marked by sand dunes and sparse vegetation.

As in other Chadian regions, Mao is ruled by both a traditional Sultan[1] and by central government officials.

[1] Moves toward decentralisation have been stymied by the complex and sometimes tense relationships between traditional rulers in Chad and national authorities.

On 18 July 2010, the Sultan of Kanem, Alifa Ali Zezerti, died in hospital in N'Djamena aged 83, from complications from a heart attack.

The area is very isolated and land travel is difficult (along sand tracks that can only be negotiated using four-by-four vehicles or camels).

On Wednesdays, which is "Grand Market Day", fresh produce is sold such as onion, garlic, dates, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers and sometimes aubergines, which were introduced in 2009 by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.