The western African nation of Niger (officially known as the Republic of Niger), is bordered by Algeria and Libya to the north; Chad to the east; Benin and Nigeria to the south; and Burkina Faso and Mali to the west.
Niger has a population of about 24.5 million (2022 est., CIA World Factbook) on an area of 1,267,000 sq.km. – making it the largest country in West Africa.
Because of its proximity to the Sahara Desert, Niger is one of the hottest countries in the world. Temperatures can rise as high as 113 degrees Fahrenheit during the hot months of February to May.
A vast terrain of Niger to the north comprises of hot dry desert land, which eases off southward into plains characterized by tropical weather.
Niamey located to the south, is the capital city of Niger. Zinder is another major city in the country.
NIGER LIFE IN PHOTOS
Niamey, capital city of Niger. ADAMAOU FODI SALAHADINE
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Boulevard Tanimoune (Rue CI-85) in Niamey, Niger (Cité Fayçal neighborhood). Note the solar powered street lights. NIGERTZAI
Toubou warriors and women in traditional gear at a welcome ceremony for Niger’s then President Mahamadou Issoufou, in the Diffa region far east of the country. September 2019. VINCENT VAN ZEIJST
Children playing in the Dunes of Niamey area. VINCENT VAN ZEIJST
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Dunes of Niamey featuring a distant view of River Niger. VINCENT VAN ZEIJST
Did You Know: The Niger River, after which the country is named, is the third longest river in Africa – after the Nile and the Congo Rivers. The Niger measures about 4,180 km (2,500 miles) in length, and flows across Guinea, Mali, Niger, parts of Benin and Nigeria.
Children and a truck – street scene in Margou, a village in southwestern Niger. NIGERTZAI
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Petit traders on Rue NB-26 in Niamey (Petit Marché area, Niamey Bas neighborhood, Niger). NIGERTZAI
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This lady in her seventies has been selling ‘beignets’ for close to 20 years. It is with this business that she takes care of her and her family’s needs. RAHIM ISSAKA
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The sale of millet in N’Gonga market, Niger. NIGERTZAI
Warm smiles near Tahoua, Niger. CLEMENSE DELMAS
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Children at the railway station in Koygorou, along the Niamey-Dosso railway in Niger. Koygorou lies some 119 km (74 miles) southeast of Niamey. This railway was inaugurated on 29 January 2016 but has never seen a train. NIGERTZAI
View of River Niger from an escarpment near the hamlet of Tiloa, to the southeast of the capital Niamey. VINCENT VAN ZEIJST
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People washing on the banks of the Niger river in Karey Gorou, a village in the immediate vicinity of Niamey. VINCENT VAN ZEIJST
The main languages spoken in Niger are Hausa, Djerma and French.
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