The northern part of the river, known as the Niger bend, is an important area because it is the major river and source of water in that part of the Sahara desert. This made it the focal point of trade across the western Sahara, and the centre of the Sahelian kingdoms of Mali and Gao.

Main Sectors of Industry. The Nigerian economy is dominated by crude oil, which accounts for about 10% of the country’s GDP, 70% of government revenue and more than 83% of the country’s total export earnings, according to OPEC.

It runs in a crescent through Mali, Niger, on the border with Benin and then through Nigeria, discharging through a massive delta, known as the Niger Delta or the Oil Rivers, into the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean.

Niger

Safety and Security in Niger Finally, just under 1%, or around 170,000 people are affected by HIV/AIDS. Poverty in Niger is high; as a result, the levels of crime, particularly in Niamey, the country’s capital, are high. One of the most prevalent forms of crime that expatriates are at risk of is theft.

Here are the 10 countries with the lowest human development indexes: Tuvalu (0) Somalia (0) Niger (0.354)

Schooling is free in Niger, but many areas do not have a school and, as a result, Niger has one of the lowest literacy rates in West Africa. Most of Niger’s adults cannot read or write, and the literacy rate is only 13.6 percent. Schooling is compulsory in principle for ages 7 to 15 for a period of 8 years.

Niger’s economy is based largely on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world’s largest uranium deposits. Traditional subsistence farming, herding, small trading, and informal markets dominate an economy that generates few formal sector jobs.

Niger fell victim to a series of coups and political instability following its independence from France in 1960. Today the country struggles in the face of frequent droughts, insurgency and wide-spread poverty. Niger is betting on increased oil exploration and gold mining to help modernize its 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.

3: Niger is on the border between Sahara and Sub-Sahara region. 4: Niger is considered one of the hottest nations. It is known as the “Frying Pan of the World.” 5: The capital of Niger is Niamey.

In religion, Islam, spread from North Africa beginning in the 10th century, has greatly shaped the mores of the people of Niger. Since Independence, greater interest has been in the country’s cultural heritage, particularly with respect to traditional architecture, hand crafts, dances and music.

Niger is divided into 8 regions: Agadez, Dosso, Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabery, Zinder, Diffa and Niamey (municipality with special status). Niger is further divided into 63 departments and 266 municipalities.

Colony of Niger

Although French efforts at pacification began before 1900, dissident ethnic groups, especially the desert Tuareg, were not subdued until 1922, when Niger became a French colony. Niger’s colonial history and development parallel that of other French West African territories.

Dece

1890s