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___ Niger

Panorama of Bouza, a village in Niger's Tahoua Region.
Image: Teseum

Flag of Niger

Location map of Niger

Destination Niger, a virtual guide to this landlocked country in Western Africa situated on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert. It is one of the world's least-developed nations. Niger is bordered by Libya and Algeria in the north, Benin and Nigeria in the south, Burkina Faso in southeast, Mali in west, and Chad in east.

Before France incorporated the region as part of its colonial African possessions in the early 20th century, the area was subject to conflicts between various kingdoms and tribes.

With an area of 1,267,000 km² the country is more than twice the size of (Metropolitan) France, or slightly less than twice the size of the U.S. state Texas. The Sahara Desert covers about 65% of Niger. Most people of Niger are living in the southern part of the country.

Niger has a population of 17,8 million people (est. 2013), it is the country with the highest total fertility rate (7,6 children each woman). Capital and largest city is Niamey, spoken languages are French (official), but also Hausa, Zarma, Songhay, Arabic and half a dozen other languages. 95% of Niger's population are Muslims.

Republic of Niger | Republique du Niger

Country Profile

Background:
Despite the fact that the country has some of the world's largest uranium deposits, Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, a landlocked Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops and livestock.
Niger suffered austere military rule for much of its post-independence history. Not until 1993, 33 years after independence from France, did Niger hold its first free and open elections. A 1995 peace accord ended a five-year revolt by Tuareg tribes, who accused the government of failing to deliver on promised economic aid. Coups in 1996 and 1999 were followed by the creation of a National Reconciliation Council that effected a transition to civilian rule in December 1999.

Official Name:
Republique du Niger
short form: Niger
int'l long form: Republic of Niger

ISO Country Code: ne, NER

Time:
Local Time = UTC +1h
Actual Time: Thu-Apr-18 00:18

Country Calling Code: +227

Capital City: Niamey (pop. approx. 675 000)

Other Cities: Tahoua, Maradi, Zinder, Diffa, Dosso, Arlit, and Agadez.

Government:
Type: Republic, multiparty Presidential regime.
Head of State: President
Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France).

Geography:
Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria.
Area: 1,267,000 km² (490,000 sq. mi.).
Terrain: About two-thirds desert and mountains, one-third savanna.

Climate: Hot, dry, and dusty; tropical in extreme south. Rainy season June - September.

People:
Nationality: Nigerien(s).
Population 17.8 million (2013)
Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanuri) 4.3%; Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%.
Religions: Islam (95%); remainder indigenous beliefs and Christian.
Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma, Fulfulde, Kanuri, Tamachek, Toubou, Gourmantche, Arabic.
Literacy: 15-30%

Natural resources: Uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, petroleum.

Agriculture products: Millet, sorghum, rice, corn, fruits, vegetables, cotton, peanuts, cassava, cowpeas.

Industries: Uranium mining, cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals

Exports - commodities: uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions

Exports - partners: France 53.1%, USA 18%, Nigeria 20.3%, Burkina Faso 5.5% (2015)

Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals

Imports - partners: France 31.8%, China 23.1%, USA 5.4%, India 3.8%, Nigeria 3.7% (2015)

Currency: CFA Franc (XOF)

Niger in Figures
More Niger related statistical data.

Source: Embassy of Niger, Canada and others.

Niger's presidential palace in Niamey.
Image: Presidence de la Republique du Niger

Political system
Stricken by military rule, coups, political instability, and a Tuareg rebellion, Niger returned to civilian rule in 2011. Now the country is a semi-presidential republic. Chief of state is the president, head of government is the prime minister. The executive power is shared between the president and the prime minister. The unicameral National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale) is Niger's sole legislative body. But the country is weak and under threat of frequent droughts, insurgency, displaced people and wide-spread poverty.

Official Sites of Niger

Note: External links will open in a new browser window.

Presidence de la Republique du Niger
The Presidency of the Republic of Niger, site with information on Niger and (in French).

Assemblée nationale du Niger
The National Assembly of Niger (dead link).

Mission permanente du Niger auprès de l'Organisation des Nations Unies
Marginal site of the representation of Niger to the UN.
The United Nations Development Programme in Niger
The information on this UNDP Niger site is not very up-to-date (in French).
Ambassade du Niger
Embassy of Niger in France.
Embassy of Niger to the United States of America
Niger's representation to the US.

Statistics
Institut National de la Statistique du Niger
National Instiute for Statistics (in French).

Niger in Figures
Niger key statistical data.

Maps

Map of Niger
Political Map of Niger.

Administrative Map of Niger
Map of Nigerien administrative divisions..

Google Earth Niger
Searchable map/satellite view of Niger.

Google Earth Niamey
Searchable map/satellite view of Niger's capital city.

Political Map of Africa
The 54 countries of Africa.

Map of Africa
A Relief Map of Africa.


News Le Sahel Journal Nigérien, News from Niger (in French). TamTamInfo With news and information on Nigerr (in French). Friends of Niger Initiate and/or support activities related to Niger with up-to-date coverage of Niger's 2005 Famine. IRIN-News UN humanitarian news and information service covers the situation in Niger.	Bookmark/share this page

Wodaabe at the Cure Salee festival (Festival of the Nomads), a yearly gathering of the Tuareg and Wodaabe people. Due to Niger's government, the festival is now more a tourist attraction - with the lack of tourists.
Image: Alfred Weidinger

Arts & Culture

Fofo Magazine
The magazine for Niger music with information on artists and MP3 streaming (in French).

Jeux de la Francophonie
Official site with information about the (sport) games, as well as about Niger (in French).

National Council For Arts and Cultue
Nigerian Arts and Culture

Friends of Niger
Initiate and/or support activities related to Niger.

Young Wodaabe woman.
Image: Dan Lundberg

Business & Economy

Niger sits on some of the world's largest uranium deposits, but is one of the "Heavily Indebted Poor Countries" (HIPC). Its economy is based on subsistence agriculture, like crops and livestock, and the export of raw commodities.

Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO)
Central Bank of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.

Union Économique et Monétaire Ouest Africaine (UEMOA)
West African Economic and Monetary Union (in French)
IZF.net, le portail de la Zone Franc CFA
Information about business and investment in the African countries within the monetary system of the Franc Zone - CFA. (in French)

Investir au Niger
Investment conditions and opportunities in Niger (in French).

The National Assembly of Niger

Travel and Tour Consumer Information

Destination Niger - Country and People

Discover Niger, one of the hottest countries in the world: Niamey, Agadez, Sahel, Djado Plateau, Mont Bagzane, Aïr Massif, Timia Oasis, Ténéré Dunes, River Niger, Tahoua Region, W National Park, Zinder.

Agadez, les Touaregs
Agadez (Agadès) the capital of the Tuareg people (in French).

Agadez Tourisme Sarl
Tourism site of a Agadez based tour operator.

Aïr Voyages Niger
Travel and tourism information with a gallery for Niger by this Agadez based tour operator (in French).

Native

Gumel.com
Hausa related page (in Hausa).
Tuaregs, Touaregs
Tuaregs, the nomadic people's culture and history.
Tuareg People
Information on the Tuareg people

Article on the Ceremonies of the Wodaabe
by Cultural Survival.

Niger UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Historic Centre of Agadez
Agadez is known as the gateway to the desert. The city developed in the 15th and 16th centuries when the Sultanate of Aïr was established. The city in central Niger in the Sahara was an important crossroads of the caravan trade. The historic center of the market town is characterized by ancient mudbrick architecture.

W National Park (W Transborder Park)
The W National Park and its transnational extension (Benin, Burkina Faso) W-Arly-Pendjari Complex is a region of intact Sudano-Sahelian savannah. It includes the largest and most important continuum of terrestrial, semi-aquatic and aquatic ecosystems in the West African savannah belt.

Bends in the River Niger which give W National Park its distinctive name.
Image: Júlio Reis (NASA Image)

Education

Abdou Moumouni University
Formerly the University of Niamey, is the largest and only public university in Niger, located in Niamey.

Maryam Abacha American University of Niger
Private university and the first bilingual University in West Africa, located in Maradi, Niger.

Africa Speaks
A collection of essays and stories by Nigerien university students, about growing up and living in West Africa on the fault line between traditional and western cultures.

View from the minaret of the Grande Mosque in Niamey.
Image: Eric Haglund

Environment & Nature

IRD au Niger
French research institute for development.

The Reference Centre for Applications of Meteorology and Climate for Sustainable Development of Africa
ACMAD's mission is the provision of weather and climate information and for the promotion of sustainable development of Africa in the fields of agriculture, water resources, health, public safety and renewable energy.


History History of West Africa Wikipedia entry: History of West Africa. Timeline: Niger A chronology of key events in Niger's history.


Sources and additional Information on Niger Amnesty International: Niger BBC Country Profile: Niger FAO: Niger GlobalEDGE: Niger The Heritage Foundation: Niger Human Rights Watch: Niger OEC: Niger Reporters Without Borders: Niger University of Pennsylvania - African Studies Center: Niger Wikipedia: Niger The World Factbook -- Niger