Niger: Sovereign state in western Africa

The capital is Niamey, and the official language is French. It is surrounded by Algeria and Libya to the north, Chad to the east, Nigeria and Benin to the south, and Burkina Faso and Mali to the west. Niger is landlocked, meaning it has no coastline. Niger gets its name from the Niger River, whose name possibly comes from the Berber word "River of Rivers".

Republic of the Niger République du Niger  (French)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto:  "Fraternité, Travail, Progrès" (French) "Fraternity, Work, Progress"
Anthem: L'Honneur de la Patrie
Location of  Niger  (dark green)
Capital and largest city	Niamey 13°32′N 2°05′E / 13.533°N 2.083°E / 13.533; 2.083
Official languages	French
National languages	Arabic Buduma Fulfulde Gourmanchéma Hausa Kanuri Zarma & Songhai Tamasheq Tassawaq Tebu
Demonym(s)	Nigerien (/niːˈʒɛəriən/
Government	Unitary semi-presidential republic under a military junta
• Interim President and CNSP Chairman	Omar Tchiani
• Prime Minister	Ali Lamine Zeine
Legislature	National Assembly
Independence  from France
• Republic proclaimed	18 December 1958
• Declared	3 August 1960
Area
• Total	1,267,000 km2 (489,000 sq mi) (21st)
• Water (%)	0.02
Population
• 2020 estimate	23,196,002 (57th)
• 2012 census	17,138,707
• Density	12.1/km2 (31.3/sq mi)
GDP (PPP)	2018 estimate
• Total	$23.475 billion (140th)
• Per capita	$1,213 (183rd)
GDP (nominal)	2018 estimate
• Total	$9.869 billion (136th)
• Per capita	$510 (179th)
Gini (2014)	34.0 medium · 70th
HDI (2019)	0.394 low · 189th
Currency	West African CFA franc (XOF)
Time zone	UTC+1 (WAT)
Driving side	right
Calling code	+227
ISO 3166 code	NE
Internet TLD	.ne
Lowest ranked.

The Mali Empire and the Songhai Empire both had land in what is now Niger. Later France controlled the land that is now Niger. Niger has a population, or the number of people living in an area, of 15,306,252 and an area of 1,267,000 square kilometres. Much of Niger is desert.

After a military coup in 2010, Niger is now a democratic, multi-party state. Most of the people live in rural areas, and have little access to advanced education.

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with a lack of contraception. 41.4% live in poverty. Hunger plagues the country.

Niger’s main exports are uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas and onions. Millet and sorghum are grown in the south, as well as cassava and sugarcane. Rice is grown in the Niger River valley. Peanuts are the most important cash crop. Other important crops are cotton and pulses.

Niger is home to the critically endangered addax antelope. West African giraffes are the only giraffes in West Africa that exist in Niger.

Niger is on the border between the Sahara and Sub-Saharan regions. Niger's area is 1,267,000 square kilometres (489,191 sq mi) of which 300 square kilometres (116 sq mi) is water. It is the world's twenty-second largest country. Niger borders seven countries. The longest border is with Nigeria to the south.

The lowest point is the Niger River, with an elevation of 200 metres (656 ft). The highest point is Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès in the Aïr Mountains at 2,022 m (6,634 ft).

Regions

• Northern Niger: Agadez Region
• South-Central Niger: Maradi Region, Tahoua Region, Zinder Region
• South-Eastern Niger: Diffa Region, Zinder Region
• South-Western Niger: Tillabéri Region, Dosso Region, Niamey, Tahoua Region

Zinder Region and Tahoua Region are intermediates between Central Niger.

Cities

This table shows cities with a population over 10,000, according to 2001 census.

Climate

Niger's subtropical climate is mainly very hot and dry. Much of it is covered by desert. In the extreme south there is a tropical climate on the edges of the Niger River basin. The land is mostly desert plains and sand dunes. There is flat to rolling savanna in the south and hills in the north.

Wildlife

•  
  Gazelle
•  
  Elephants
•  
  Violet turaco
•  
  Black-headed lapwing
•  
  Blue-naped mousebird

There are several ethnic groups in Niger:

• Hausa 53.1%
• Zarma/Songhai 21.2%
• Tuareg 11%
• Fulani (Peuhl) 6.5%
• Kanuri 5.9%
• Gurma 0.8%
• Arab 0.4%
• Tubu 0.4%
• other/unavailable 0.9%

The literacy rate (the amount of the adult population who can read or write) of Niger is among the lowest in the world. In 2005 it was estimated to be only 28.7% (42.9% male and 15.1% female). Primary education in Niger is required for six years. The primary school enrollment and attendance rates are low, particularly for girls. Children are often made to work rather than attend school. This is particularly true during planting or harvest periods.

• List of rivers of Niger
• Niger at the Olympics
• Niger national football team