Country guide - Niger  

 
 

Introduction: Niger has borders with Libya and Algeria to the north, Chad to the east, Nigeria and Benin to the south, and Mali and Burkina Faso to the west. Around 80% of Nigeria is arid desert while the remainder is savannah.

Official Name: Republic of Niger
Area: 1,267,000 Sq Km (489,191 Sq Miles)
Population: 11,058,000
Continent: Africa
Density per square mile: 23
Capital City: Niamey
Religions: 80% Sunni Muslims while, 19% follow local native tribal beliefs, 0.5% Christians.

Language: French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Government: Republic

Currency: CFA Franc
GDP: $8.8 billion
GDP Per Head: $830

Natural Resources: Coal, uranium, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, petroleum
Land Use: Arable Land 4%
Agriculture: Cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice, livestock inc. cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses & poultry.
Industry: Food Processing, Mining & Textiles.

Tourism: Niger consits of black volcanic mountains, desert, and camels.Parc W, Niger's game reserve is well worth a visit.

Natural Hazards: Recurring droughts, Harmattan winds in November
Health Risks: Meningitis, cholera.

Climate: Niger has a hot and dry climate with relatively cool and dry conditions from November to February. The rainy season lasts from June - October with most rainfall occurring during August. Average rainfall in the south is 29 inches while in the north it drops below 8 inches where conditions are sub desert or Sahelian. The average temperature ranges in Niamey are from 14 to 34 degrees Celsius in January to 27 to 41 degrees Celsius in May.

Time: GMT/UTC + 1 hour
National Days: August 3 - Independence Day, December 18 - Republic Day

Visas: British nationals as with all other nationals except those from some West African countries require a valid visa and a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever to enter Niger. There are Embassies in Paris and Brussels but not in London. For applicants throughout the world check where your nearest embassy is since there are not many Niger Embassies throughout the world.

British Embassy Details

 

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