The country periodically faces prolonged droughts, when the groundwater level drops everywhere, wells dry up, agriculture and cattle breeding suffer.

Climate This country is due to its continental position, the proximity of the Sahara and the equator. The seasons here are distinguished not by temperature, but by the regime of precipitation. There are three seasons: dry cool, dry hot and rainy.

Niger borders Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. Has no access to the sea.
The country is named after the Niger River that flows through it. Official name - Republic of Niger.

State symbols

Flag- is an almost square panel with an aspect ratio of 6:7. The upper orange stripe symbolizes the sands of the Sahara desert in the north, the central white stripe represents purity and simplicity, and the lower green stripe symbolizes hope, as well as the fertile lands of southern Niger. The orange circle in the center is the symbol of the sun. The flag was approved on November 23, 1959 before gaining independence from French West Africa.

Coat of arms- represents a silver shield, in the center of which is the sun, in the upper right corner an upward-pointing arrow, crossed with two crossed swords in a baldric with hilts down, in the upper left corner three crossed inflorescences of pearl pinnate, at the base is the head of a zebu. All pieces are gold. Under the shield is a silver motto ribbon with the inscription "Republique du Niger" in black letters. The shield is flanked by draped national flags, two on each side. Orange symbolizes the Sahara desert, green is the color of the grassy plains in the south and west, white is the color of hope. For the state of Niger, it is also a symbol of the Savannah region.

State structure

Form of government- republic.
head of state- the president.

Incumbent since April 2011 Mahamadou Issoufou
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
The Niger Constitution recognizes traditional chiefs as holders of customary law.
Capital- Niamey.
Largest cities- Niamey, Zinder, Maradi.
Official language- French.
Territory- 1,267,000 km².
Administrative division- Niamey metropolitan area and 7 regions, which are divided into 36 departments. The departments are made up of urban and rural communes.

Population– 17 470 530 people Average life expectancy: 52 years for men, 54 years for women. The urban population is 16%. More than 90% of the country's population belong to the Negroid race. The Tuareg living in the north are of the Mediterranean type of the Caucasoid race. The Fulbe are a mixed people. The majority of the population of Niger (55.4%) are Hausa, who live in the south of the country along the border with Nigeria.

Hausa
Religion- Sunni Islam is dominant (80%). There are Christians, about 7% of the population adhere to local African beliefs.
Currency- CFA franc.
Economy is one of the poorest countries in the world. It has the lowest human development index in the world.
Large reserves of uranium. In the late 90s. discovered oil and gas fields. Only 3% of the land is suitable for agriculture. Poor infrastructure, frequent droughts, instability. Natural resources - deposits of uranium, iron ore, phosphorites, coal, tin, tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, gold, manganese.
Agriculture depends entirely on the amount of precipitation. The main consumer culture is millet. Grow oranges, rice, sugar cane. Export: uranium concentrates, cotton, livestock, leather, hides, peanuts. Import: food products, engineering and chemical industry products, transport equipment, petroleum products, industrial products.
The construction of railways and access to the sea is the most important task for the development of transport in Niger.

Education- literacy of the population is about 28% (43% of men, 15% of women). The school system is based on the French model. Teaching in French. Although the education of children between the ages of 7 and 15 is compulsory by law, many do not attend school. Only 30% of children of age attend primary school and less than 10% attend secondary school.
In 1973 the State University in Niamey was opened. In 1987, the Islamic University was opened in Sai.
Sport- the country has been participating in the Olympic Games since 1964. The only medal was received in 1972 by Issac Dabore, who won bronze in boxing competitions.

Armed forces- consist of ground forces and air forces. They are completed on a selective draft and contract basis; draft age from 17 to 21 years, service life 2 years; only an unmarried citizen of Niger can be a contract worker; women can serve only in sanitary units.

Nature

The country is characterized by the process of degradation and erosion of soils, which leads to desertification of lands, so the most important task is the struggle for the restoration and conservation of soils.
The water base of Niger is the Niger River with tributaries and the endorheic Lake Chad with the Komadugu-Yobe River. In the rest of the country there are only temporary drains (wadis), which are filled only during the short rainy season.

Niger River- the third longest river in Africa. It flows through the country for about 600 km, and it is here that the fertile plain is located, which is the breadbasket of the country. On the Niger River is the capital of the state of Niamey, here the river is crossed by one of the few bridges - the Kennedy Bridge.

Lake Chad

The lake with an area of ​​23 thousand km², located on the borders of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and the Republic of Chad, has decreased by 26 times and continues to dry up.
Lake Chad is shallow, the depth is 4-7 m, and in the rainy season 10-11 m. The shores are mostly swampy and overgrown with papyrus; to the northeast, the terrain has the character of a steppe, and only the southern coast is distinguished by rich tropical vegetation.

There are manatees, hippos, crocodiles in the lake; water and marsh birds, as well as fish.

The climate of the country is determined by the continental position, the proximity of the Sahara and the equator.

Dune Sea Erg Bilma
The east wind harmattan, reaching a speed of 10 m/s, often causes dust storms and dusty fog, covering even the southern regions of the country for several days. The rainy season starts in April-May and peaks in August.

Flora

In the zone of deserts and semi-deserts, vegetation cover is extremely rare. Date palms grow in oases in the east of the country. In the valleys of the Air plateau, due to the proximity of groundwater, tall grasses are present, trees are more numerous.

date palms
Savannah flora: a variety of acacias, undersized wild grasses, sagebrush. They are the main food for camels, sheep and goats.
During the rainy season, the savannah is covered with fast-growing grass up to two meters high: bearded vulture and elephant grass.

elephant grass
The vegetation of semi-deserts is severely affected by livestock grazing and cutting down for fuel. The south of the savannah is better irrigated during the rainy season, so the vegetation is more abundant here: a neem tree, imported from India, ceiba (cotton tree), baobabs, and shea grow. The richest and most diverse flora of the banks of the Niger River. From the trees here grow mangoes and papayas with juicy fruits, acacias and palms. Bamboo grows in the floodplain of the river.

cotton tree. Its fiber is light, buoyant, elastic and resistant to water. Used for stuffing upholstered furniture, life jackets, circles, soft toys, as well as sound and heat insulating material.
From the seeds, a fatty semi-drying oil is obtained, replacing cottonseed oil, which is used in the manufacture of soap or as a fertilizer.

Fauna

Many insects living in Niger bring great harm to the economy - mosquitoes, locusts and termites.
Niger, other rivers and lakes are rich in fish. Savannah reptiles are diverse: snakes and lizards, from geckos to large monitor lizards. There are crocodiles in the Niger River.

griffon vulture
Birds: ostriches, eagles, griffon vultures, kites. Ducks, geese, sandpipers, herons, cranes, ibises, storks, and marabou live in the southern savannah. Migratory birds from the north, including Europe, winter in Niger from October to March.

Cheetah
Oryx and addax antelopes are found in the desert, dama and korin gazelles, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals are found in the savannah.
In the southern savanna, the number of mammals has decreased due to human activities. You can still meet giraffes, antelopes, wild boars, lions here.

Two herds of elephants roam near Lake Chad and on the right bank of the Niger River, and hippos live in the river itself.

culture

Fine Arts and Crafts

The surviving cave paintings depict wild animals, humans, and hunting scenes from the Neolithic period. The most ancient of them date back to 9-8 thousand BC. e.
Contemporary fine arts began to develop after the country gained independence. Notable Artists: Bubakar Bureima, Riss Ixa.

Wood mask. 19th century
Pottery, leather production, blacksmithing, weaving, weaving and jewelry are developed. The Tuareg and Fulbe jewelry art, the djerma weaving, as well as the painting of calabash (pumpkin vessels) of the Hausa people are known. The works of Niger artists and products of art craftsmen are presented in the exposition of the National Museum of Niger. Blacksmiths, chasers of gold and silver are famous for their art.

Literature

The birth of national literature began in the 1950s. It is based on myths, songs, proverbs and fairy tales of local peoples. The most important national writer is considered Bubu Hama. The works of some Niger writers were published in France.

Music

Music was formed on the basis of the musical art of local peoples. Musical instruments: algaita (oboe), various drums, lutes, rattles, horns and rattles, flutes. Playing musical instruments, songs and dances are closely connected with the daily life of the local peoples.
Theatrical performances of wandering "comedians" using wooden puppets are held on Muslim holidays.
The first national film "Wedding" was filmed in 1962.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Niger

Air and Tenere National Reserve

The reserve is located in the center of the Sahara and is characterized by a variety of landscapes.

Air rocky plateau
Two-fifths of the territory of the reserve is located on the eastern edge of the Air plateau.
The rest of the eastern part of the reserve is located in the sandy desert of Tenere. This is a dune sea with dunes up to 300 meters high.

Mammals, many species of birds, reptiles and one species of amphibians live on the territory of the reserve (Air Plateau).
In the Tener desert, vegetation is practically absent. The animal world is extremely poor. But salt is mined here, which is transported on camels. You can also cross the desert in jeeps.
The reserve is very attractive for tourists.

Double Way National Park

The first biosphere reserve in Africa. It is located in Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso along the Niger River.
More than 350 species of birds have been recorded in the park, among them birds arriving from Eurasia.

Other sights of Niger

Niamey

The capital of the state since 1960. At the end of the nineteenth century. there was a small village of several hundred inhabitants. The favorable location of Niamey on cross-trade routes contributed to its growth. More than 90% of the city's population are Muslims.

The most important attraction of the city is Grand Mosque.
big market is also an important landmark of the city. This is one of the best markets in West Africa.

It was completely restored after a fire in the mid-80s. and now it is a picturesque example of architecture, surrounded by fountains in the old style.

IN National Museum of Niger you can see traditional crafts, learn about the development of art. You can buy any work of local craftsmen, especially jewelry or silverware, get acquainted with the way of life of the Tuareg, Hausa, Dzherma, Fulani and Tubu, their traditional dwellings.

Here is also tener tree- it was able to survive in the desert and became a symbol of life for the African people.

Zinder

Former capital of Niger. The city was on the ancient trade route between Agadez and Kano. It is the second largest city in the country. It was one of the richest cities in Africa.

The city is divided into two districts: the Zengu quarter in the northern part of the city, which has a large number of rich old buildings and adobe buildings of previous eras, and the picturesque Birnin district in the southeast, which is a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with houses with small gardens, beautiful examples of architecture house. Between them is the commercial center of the city.
The Grand Mosque, like the Sultan's Palace, was built in the middle of the 19th century. The city has an unusual architecture. In the oldest quarter of Birni there are square houses with geometric ornaments and paintings.

History

In the VIII-VI millennium BC. e. in Niger there was kiffian culture. At that time, the climate in the Sahara was humid. In 2000, the human remains of this culture were discovered in the Gobero area in the Tenere desert region. The Kiffians were hunters and gatherers. In the area of ​​their residence, bones of large animals characteristic of the savannah were found, which suggests that they lived on the shore of a lake that existed at that time. The Kiffians were tall, more than 1 m 80 cm tall.
The Kiffian culture disappeared around 6000 BC. e., when a long drought began in the Sahara. Approximately 1500 years after the disappearance of the Kiffian culture, when the climate in the Sahara again became humid, its habitat was colonized tenerian culture, whose carriers belonged to another anthropological type: the Mediterranean subrace of the Caucasoid race. The Tenerian culture disappears without a trace after the Sahara dries up.
From the 7th century The valley of the Niger River was part of the Principality of Songhai. By the end of the XV century. it became a kingdom. In 1591, the Songhai state was conquered by the army of the Sultan of Morocco, but the southern regions, located on the territory of modern Niger, retained their independence. Here emerged the principality of Dendi, headed by Askim Nukha. Subsequently, the Principality of Dendi broke up into several small principalities. In the XVIII century. most of the territory of Niger came under the rule of the Tuareg (nomadic tribes). They founded the Sultanate of Agadez. The Tuareg did not have a centralized government. The south of what is now Niger was inhabited by sedentary agricultural peoples.

colonial period

The first European in Niger was the Scot Mungo Park. He surveyed the Niger River in 1805-1806.

Through the territory of Niger in the XV-XVIII centuries. passed caravan trade routes
At the Berlin conference in 1884, Niger was included in the French sphere of influence. In 1897 the French sent a mission of Captain Kazamaj to Zinder, the capital of the Damagaram Sultanate. He was killed at the court of the Sultan, who feared French influence. To punish the Damagaramians, a military expedition was equipped, which went down in the history of Niger with its cruelty and bloodiness: thousands of local residents were killed, many Hausan villages were burned.
In 1900, the French founded the "military territory of Zinder". In 1905-1906. Muslim preachers and local sultans tried to provide armed resistance to the French.
The French colonialists introduced the cultivation of various crops in Niger, intensively developed the road network and recruited local residents to work in industrial enterprises in coastal colonies in French West Africa.
In 1946, Niger received the status of an overseas territory within the French Union. An elected local self-government body was created. Places in it were occupied mainly by the leaders of local tribes.
In 1958, Niger becomes an autonomous republic of the French Community, and in 1960 gains independence. Becomes the first president of the country.

Several years of severe drought (1968-1973) devastated the country.
In 1974, a military coup took place, as a result of which Amani Diori was overthrown.
In 1989, a new constitution was adopted, which returns Niger to civilian rule, but the country retains a one-party system. Only after a wave of strikes did President Seibu introduce a multi-party system. after a wave of strikes and demonstrations.
In January 1996, a second military coup was carried out in the country, led by Colonel Ibrahim Bare Mainassara, who won the elections that year. The elections were held with violations: all other candidates were placed under house arrest. Mainassara was criticized for his repressive actions and several assassination attempts were made. And in 1999, Mainassara's bodyguards kill him. The presidency is succeeded by Major Dauda Malam Vanke. In 1999 he was elected president, in 2004 he was elected for a second term.

In August 2009, Tandja Mamadou initiated a referendum that adopted constitutional amendments that removed the limitation on the number of terms for re-election of the head of state and gave him additional powers. Dissatisfaction with the president grew in the country. On February 18, 2010, the Niger military carried out a coup d'état. President Mamadou Tanja was captured and taken to one of the barracks. Major Salu Jibo was declared the head of the military junta that was supposed to organize legitimate presidential elections.
Mahamadou Issoufou became the new president of Niger. On April 7, the inauguration took place, Salu Jibo transferred power to the legitimately elected president.
In May 2011, the Niger authorities released former President Mamadou Tandja from prison. In July 2011, another coup attempt was made.

Niger on Africa map
(all images are clickable)

Geographical position

Niger is a country in West Africa. It borders Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin and Burkina Faso; has no access to the sea. Most of the country's territory is located on the plains, the northern regions are occupied by high rocky plateaus of the Sahara desert. Niger is the largest country in the region, with an area of ​​about 1.3 million km².

The climate is tropical. Over most of the country, precipitation almost does not fall, a small amount of it falls only on the extreme southwestern regions, but even here their annual norm does not exceed 100 mm, and only in the border regions with Benin and Burkina Faso, where the climate is replaced by subequatorial, it falls up to 800 mm of precipitation per year. The climate of Niger is characterized by sharp daily temperature fluctuations: during the day the average temperature is + 30-40 ° C, and at night, especially in the desert, frosts are possible.

Flora and fauna

The flora of Niger is represented by semi-desert vegetation. Date palms are common in oases.

Among the animals in the sands of the Sahara, you can only find jerboas, sand foxes and antelopes. In the southern regions, giraffes, elephants, antelopes and warthogs are found.

State structure

Niger Map

But the state structure of Niger is a presidential republic. The legislative body is Parliament. Geographically, the country is divided into 8 departments and the capital district. The local currency is the CFA franc. The capital is the city of Niamey.

Population

The population is about 18 million people. These are mainly representatives of various peoples of the Niger-Congo and Songhai language groups, as well as the Berber tribes of the Tuareg living in the north of the state. The official language is French, in everyday communication the Songhai, Bantu, and other languages ​​are used. Up to 80% of believers are Muslims, the rest remain committed to ancient traditional beliefs.

Economy

Niger is an agrarian state dominated by the agricultural sector of agriculture. Peanuts, sugarcane, cotton, millet, sorghum, and cassava are grown here. Livestock is nomadic. The mining industry is developing (uranium ores and cassiterite). Main export items: uranium concentrate, live cattle, peanuts.

Until the middle of the XIX century. the lands of Niger were inaccessible to Europeans, but by the beginning of the 20th century. the territory of the modern country became part of French West Africa. The independent Republic of Niger was formed in 1960 after the independence of French West Africa and its disintegration into a number of separate states.

Attractions

Currently, uprisings of the Tuareg tribes and armed conflicts between government troops and residents of the northern regions regularly occur in the country. Therefore, despite the absence of restrictions on movement, visiting these areas may not be safe.

The city of Zinder is known for its unusual architecture; there you can find many monuments of Muslim culture, for example, mosques. Not bad, when compared with other cities, infrastructure is developed. In the oldest quarter of Birney, there are square houses with geometric ornaments and paintings applied to the walls. There is the Zengu quarter, inhabited mainly by the Hausa tribe, and the New Town, which is the economic center of Zinder.

Niger photo

It is located in the western part of the African continent, on the banks of the river of the same name, whose name translates as "Great River". Approximately 80% of the country's territory is occupied by the majestic Sahara desert. Meanwhile, Niger is the largest state in West Africa, covering an area of ​​over one million, two hundred and fifty thousand square kilometers. The maximum height of the plains that cover a significant part of the territory of the republic is no more than 500 meters above sea level. The highest mountain peak is Bagezan, 1900 meters high.

The east of the country is covered by the Tenere desert, with sparse grass and shrubs in its southern part, and riverbeds predominate in the west, which are abundantly filled with water during the rainy season. In the area of ​​the Air plateau there are mobile sand dunes, and a little to the west, there are plains, which are based on clay, so this area is actively used by nomads grazing cattle. The southwestern region of Niger is the most vibrant and colorful, as well as rich in wildlife. Cotton trees (“bombaks”), mangoes, papaya and many palm trees grow in these places. Giraffes, cheetahs, gazelles, lions, antelopes live. On the coast of Lake Chad, you can often find herds of elephants that regularly visit the local waters in search of life-giving moisture. Birds, insects and reptiles also have a wide representation in Niger.

Despite huge reserves of uranium, oil and gas deposits, and other natural resources, the republic has been considered one of the poorest countries on the planet for many years. One of the main reasons is a poorly developed infrastructure and a high level of corruption at the top of government. In addition, like any agricultural country, Niger is largely dependent on weather conditions and the quality of land. Meanwhile, only three percent of the territory of the local land is suitable for agriculture, and given the climatic features, with a minimum amount of rain throughout the year and prolonged dry periods, this industry can hardly be called promising for the state economy.

However, sugarcane, sorghum, cotton, peanuts, cassava and other crops are grown in Niger. The fishing industry is developing quite well. At the moment, over 65% of the indigenous population in the republic live below the poverty line. One of the highest infant mortality rates on the planet, Africa's traditional problems with medical care and healthcare, rampant crime and the absolute social defenselessness of citizens, periodically result in serious armed conflicts, ending the same way in all cases.

The capital of Niger is the city Niamey located on the banks of the Niger River. Today, about one million people live here. At the same time, in the 60s of the last century, this number was only 30 thousand. Approximately 90% of the townspeople belong to the Muslim religion, while almost all residents represent various African nationalities. There are very few Europeans and immigrants from other continents in Niamey. In addition to being considered the most important transport hub for the whole country, the city has several enterprises focused on light industry, as well as factories for the manufacture of silver and gold products. Among the most interesting sights, the Grand Mosque stands out, symbolizing the religious status of the capital and the building of the National Museum, where visitors are invited to get acquainted with the history, culture and traditions of Niger, as well as learn a lot of interesting things about the times of the prehistoric period. The architectural appearance of the city is similar to the settlements of ancient Judea. Low adobe houses form residential areas, and large massive buildings, in a modern manner, belong to large manufacturing or financial companies. All buildings are buried in the foliage of evergreen trees, which give a bright and colorful hue to uncomplicated urban landscapes. The main sports facility here is a large-scale stadium, which hosts international competitions in various sports and which is completely filled on the days when the Niger national football team plays here.

The republic has an arid equatorial climate. Formally, winter in the country lasts from June to October. At the same time, it rains, which, however, are irregular and have a periodic character. All other months in Niger are dry, and saving moisture has to wait for a very long time. The average annual air temperature is +30 degrees. But at night, especially in the desert, the heat is replaced by coolness, and so much so that sometimes it’s not a sin to wear something warm.

While in Niger, you should be careful about religion and not dress provocatively. At night, it is not advisable to go outside the hotel, because no less danger than people during these hours are animals that become active during cool weather, as evidenced by the sounds of the jungle, which are especially clearly heard at night. In addition, before traveling to West Africa, it is recommended to be vaccinated against "yellow fever", which is a traditional companion of local residents. A huge number of insects, including the famous Tsetse fly, are also not distinguished by friendliness and hospitality, so for a complete “ammunition load” you should grab a few more types of ointments and tablets for stomach pains, because Nigerian dishes are as exotic as they are specific. Based on the foregoing, it is worth noting that for avid travelers this country is an excellent opportunity to learn a lot of new things and get to know the mysterious world of Africa in all its diversity.

The content of the article

NIGER, Republic of Niger. State in West Africa. The capital is the city of Niamey (700 thousand people - 2002). Territory - 1.267 million square meters. km. Administrative-territorial division - 7 departments and the metropolitan municipal district. Population - 12.5 million people. (2005, estimate). The official language is French. Religion - Islam, traditional African beliefs and Christianity. The monetary unit is the CFA franc. National holiday - Republic Day (1958), December 18. Niger has been a member of the UN since 1960, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1963, and since 2002 its successor - the African Union (AU), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since 1975, the Common Afro-Mauritian Organization (OKAM) since 1965, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Economic and Monetary Union of West African States (UEMOA) since 1994 and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).

Geographic location and boundaries.

inland state. It borders Nigeria to the south, Benin and Burkina Faso to the southwest, Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north, and Chad to the east.

Nature.

The territory of Niger is located within the ancient African platform. The basement rocks - granites, gneisses and crystalline schists - come to the surface in the north - in the Air massif, in the southwest - on the coast of the Niger River and in the south - between the cities of Zinder and Gure. Air divides the country into western and eastern parts. Its steep steep slopes stand out sharply against the background of the surrounding plateaus. The massif is composed of ancient crystalline rocks intruded by volcanic intrusions. In Air, rich deposits of uranium ores are concentrated in the Arlit and Imuraren regions, as well as coal deposits in Anu-Araren.

In the west and east of the country, the foundation is covered by a layer of sedimentary rocks. Thick oil-bearing layers have been discovered here, which are being developed in the Tin-Tumma area. On the right bank of the Niger River, industrial deposits of iron ore were discovered near the city of Sai and phosphorites near Tapoa and Tahua. Gypsum and tin deposits have also been discovered.

The Air massif has a general slope to the west, where heights reach only 700–800 m. There are many deep valleys with dry riverbeds (locally called kori), which occasionally fill with water during rains. In the central part of the massif, average heights reach 1300–1700 m. Here are the highest points of the country - Tamgak (1988) and Idukaln-Tages (2022 m).

The eastern part of Air abruptly breaks off towards the vast desert of Tenere, where mobile dunes predominate, forming dune ridges and massifs.

In the north of Niger, there are the Mangeni and Jado plateaus, dissected by deep canyons. The average heights of the plateau are 800–900 m (the highest point is 1054 m on the Mangeni plateau).

In the southern regions of the country, leveled plateaus, composed of sandstones, sands and loams with separate outcrops of crystalline rocks, predominate. Average heights are 200–500 m. The monotony of the relief is broken by the heavily dissected Adar-Duchi plateau southeast of Tahoua and the picturesque granite hills in the vicinity of Zinder.

Niger is located in one of the hottest regions in the world. The average annual temperature here is 27–29°C. Evaporation reaches 2000–3000 mm, while the annual precipitation almost never exceeds 600 mm.

The vast northern regions, located in the Sahara desert, are characterized by a tropical desert climate with high air dryness, high daily temperatures and sharp daily temperature fluctuations (more than 20 °). The southern regions that make up the Sahel zone are distinguished by a variable humid tropical climate with one rainy season lasting from two to four months. Here, too, there are great differences in day and night temperatures, and the midday heat can reach 40 ° C.

If the Sahara generally receives less than 100 mm of precipitation per year and there are areas where it does not rain at all for several years, then in the Sahel region the average annual rainfall in the north does not exceed 300 mm, and in the south, at the latitude of Tahoua and Niamey, sometimes increases to 400–600 mm.

In the extreme southwest of Niger, near the border with the Republic of Benin, the climate is more humid. The average annual rainfall exceeds 800 mm, and the rainy season lasts 5–7 months.

The change of seasons and the amount of precipitation depend on the wind regime. In April - June, a hot dry wind dominates - Harmattan, blowing from the Sahara. In July-August, it is replaced by the southwest monsoon, which brings more humid air from the Atlantic Ocean.

Frequent droughts cause great damage to Niger's agriculture. In 1968-1974, a severe drought broke out throughout the country, accompanied by the death of crops and livestock.

The country's largest river, the Niger, is fed by heavy rainfall in its upper reaches. The flood near the city of Niamey occurs in late January - early February. To the south, near the city of Gaya, two floods are pronounced - in February and September-October. The Niger Valley is the most important agricultural region of the country, in which the waters of the river are widely used for irrigation.

Niger owns part of the water area of ​​Lake Chad, which often changes the shape of the coast and the water level. Depths vary from 1 to 4 m, depending on the amount of precipitation and the volume of river flow. The highest level is in January, the lowest - in July. The lake is rich in fish, but its shores, heavily overgrown with grasses and shrubs, are swampy and difficult to access.

The main part of the territory of Niger is located in the desert zone and only 1/4 is in the savannah zone. In the north, in the desert of Tenere and on the plateau of Air, Jado, etc., only after the rains does a bright carpet of ephemeral herbaceous plants appear, which lasts for several weeks, and then dries up. Palm trees grow in oases - date and doum.

The savannas of the Sahel are dominated by cereals and other grasses, as well as thorny shrubs and rare trees. The natural vegetation here is severely affected by livestock grazing.

As you move south, more trees are found in the savannas, especially acacias with umbrella crowns. Baobabs, palm trees (dum, etc.) also grow, and bearded vulture and elephant grass predominate among the grasses. In the extreme southwest, woody vegetation begins to dominate, large trees with lush green crowns appear: bombaks (cotton tree), mangoes with bright orange fruits, papayas and palms. Bamboos grow along the rivers.

Numerous rodents, fennec fox, oryx and addax antelopes are found in the deserts of Niger. Graceful gazelles, many predators (cheetah, hyena, jackal) live in the expanses of the savannas. The world of birds is rich: there are ostriches, eagles, white-headed vultures, kites.

In the southern savanna, giraffes, antelopes and wild boars have survived in some places among large mammals, and lions among predators. On the right bank of the Niger and near Lake Chad there are large herds of elephants. There are hippos and crocodiles in the rivers. Birds are especially numerous: ducks, geese, waders, herons, cranes, ibises, storks, black marabou. Among them are many migratory species. Lots of insects, especially termites and locusts.

Natural reserves have been created in the area of ​​the Air mountain plateau and the Tener desert.

Population.

One of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa, the average population density is 9.1 people. per 1 sq. km (2002). The average annual population growth is 3.5%. Niger is one of the countries with a high birth rate (48.3 per 1000 people), the death rate is 21.33 per 1000 people. The infant mortality rate (278 per 1,000 births) is one of the highest in the world. The average age of the population is 16.25 years. 47.3% of the population are children under 14 years of age. Residents who have reached the age of 65 - 2.1%. Life expectancy - 42.13 years (men - 42.46, women - 41.8). (All figures are in estimates for 2005).

Niger is a multi-ethnic state. The African population of the country belongs to more than 20 ethnic groups. The most numerous peoples are: Hausa (56%), Djerma (22%), Fulbe (8.5%), Tuareg (8%) and Kanuri (4.3%). Arabs, French (about 1200 people) and other peoples also live on the territory of the country. Of the local languages, the most common languages ​​are Hausa, Djerma, Fulfulde, Kanuri and Tamashek.

The rural population is approx. 80%, urban - approx. 20% (2002). Large cities - Zinder (185.1 thousand people), Maradi (172.9 thousand people) and Tahoua (87.7 thousand people) - 2001.

Labor migration of Nigerians to Benin, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Togo is noted.

Religions.

95% of the population are Muslims (professing Sunni Islam), 4.5% are adherents of traditional African beliefs (animalism, fetishism, the cult of ancestors, forces of nature, etc.), 0.5% are Christians (the vast majority of Catholics) - 2004. The spread of Islam began in the 9th-11th centuries. n. e. The Sufi order (tarikat) Tijaniya enjoys especially great influence among Muslims. The Senussiyya and Hamaliyya tarikats are also influential.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

State device.

Niger is a presidential republic. There is a constitution approved by a referendum on July 18, 1999 and entered into force on August 9, 1999. The head of state is the president, who is elected by universal direct and secret suffrage for a 5-year term. Legislative power is exercised by a unicameral parliament (National Assembly), which consists of 113 deputies elected on the basis of universal direct and secret suffrage. His term of office is 5 years.

The President is Mamadou Tandja. Elected December 4, 2004. Previously elected to this post on November 24, 1999.

The national flag is a rectangular panel consisting of three horizontal stripes of the same width of orange (above), white and green. In the center of the white stripe there is an image of a small orange disk, which symbolizes the sun.

administrative device.

The country is divided into 7 departments and the metropolitan municipal district.

Judicial system.

Based on French civil law, Shariah and customary law also apply. There are the Supreme, High, Appellate Courts and the State Security Court.

Armed Forces and Defense.

National Armed Forces created in August 1961. In 2002 they numbered 5.3 thousand people. (army - 5.2 thousand people, air force - 100 people). Paramilitary formations numbering 5.4 thousand people. consist of the gendarmerie (1.4 thousand people), the republican guard (2.5 thousand people) and the police (1.5 thousand people). Service in the army lasts two years. Defense spending is $33.3 million (1.1% of GDP) - 2004.

Foreign policy.

It is based on the policy of non-alignment. The main foreign policy partners are France and Nigeria. Supporting the concept of strengthening security in the Sahara-Sahel zone, Niger regularly participates in high-level meetings with the rest of the Sahara-Sahel states - Libya, Burkina Faso and Mali. Good neighborly relations are developing with Algeria. Interstate relations with Côte d'Ivoire are complicated due to the problem of the influx of refugees from this country.

Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Niger were established on February 17, 1972. Bilateral cooperation was carried out mainly in the field of healthcare and the training of national personnel for Niger (until 2003, 440 Nigerians were educated in the universities of the USSR / Russia). In December 1991, the Russian Federation was recognized as the legal successor of the Soviet Union. Consultations are regularly held between the ministries of foreign affairs of Niger and the Russian Federation. Russian doctors work in the country under private contracts.

political organizations.

A multi-party system has developed in the country (about 30 political parties are registered). The most influential of them:

– « National Movement for Development Society - Nassara», NDO - nassara(Movement national pour une société de développement - Nassara, MNSD - Nassara), chairman - Hamidou Sekou, gen. Sec. - Amadou Hama (Hama Amadou). Ruling party, main. August 2, 1988. Until 1991 it was called the "National Movement for a Development Society";

– « Democratic and Social Convention», DSC(Convention démocratique et sociale, CDS), chairman. – Usman Mahamane (Mahamane Ousmane). Creation Party. In 1991;

– « Niger Party for Democracy and Socialism», NPAP(Parti nigérien pour la démocratie et le socialisme, PNDS), gene. Sek to Mahamadou Issoufou;

– « Niger Social Democratic Party», NSDP(Parti social-démocrate nigérien, PSDN), leader - Issaka Labo (Issaka Labo);

– « Niger Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress”, (Alliance nigérienne pour la démocratie et le atriots social, ANDP), leader - Moumouni Djermakoye. Base Party. In 1990;

– « Rally for Democracy and Progress», ODP(Rassemblement pour la démocratie et le atriots, RDP), chairman. - Algabid Hamid (Hamid Algabid), gene. Sec. – Mahamane Souley Labi;

– « Party for National Union and Development», Poland(Parti pour l "unité nationale et le développement, PUND), leader. - Akoli Daouel;

– « Social Democratic Association», FROM TO(Rassemblement social démocratique, RSD), chairman. - Chief Amadou (Amadou Cheiffou);

– « Union of Democratic and Progressive Patriots», SDPP(Union des atriots démocratiques et progressistes, UPDP), chairman. - André Salifou.

trade union associations.

Union des Syndicats des Travailleurs du Niger, USTN (Union des Syndicats des Travailleurs du Niger). Founded in 1960, it has 28,000 members. The General Secretary is Mahamane Mansour.

ECONOMY

Niger is an agricultural country. It ranks second (after Sierra Leone) in the world in terms of poverty. According to the UN ca. 3.5 million people suffer from hunger. The annual income of 75% of the population is $365, of which 35% live below the poverty line. 40% of the population (mostly in rural areas) suffers from chronic malnutrition.

The country's economy is largely dependent on foreign aid. The main financial donors are France, the IMF, and Japan (in 1997, it provided Niger with gratuitous assistance in the amount of 300 million yen for the development of the country's agricultural sector). Niger receives IMF financial assistance under the HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) program, provided to the poorest countries with high external debt. In April 2004, the IMF canceled $663.1 million of Niger's debt. In February 2005, the Fund decided to provide Niger with a loan of $10 million for the implementation of an economic development program up to 2008. At the same time, the IMF put forward a requirement for the Government of Niger to use the funds received to fight poverty and ensure annual GDP growth of 4 %. In 2004, GDP amounted to 9.7 billion dollars, and its growth was 3.5%.

Labor resources.

The economically active population is 5.17 million people. (2001, estimate).

Agriculture.

The share of the agricultural sector in GDP is 39% (2001), 85% of the population is employed in it (2005, estimate). 3.54% of the land is cultivated (2001). Agricultural production is almost entirely dependent on rainfall. The annual growth of production in the agricultural sector is approx. 2%. The main export crops are peanuts and vegetables. Oranges, bananas, legumes, corn, millet, rice, sugarcane, sorghum, cotton and tobacco are also grown. Nomadic animal husbandry is developed (breeding of camels, horses, cattle, donkeys, sheep and goats). Fish catch in 2000 amounted to 16.27 thousand tons.

Industry.

Share in GDP - 17% (2001). The main industries are mining and manufacturing. Niger ranks third (after Canada and Australia) in the world in terms of uranium mining. Its share in the country's exports is constantly decreasing, in 2002 it was 32% (in 1990 - 60%). Coal and gold are also mined. There are enterprises for processing agricultural products, including the production of peanut butter, flour and beer. There are small factories of the textile and leather industries.

International trade.

The volume of imports significantly exceeds the volume of exports: in 2002, imports (in US dollars) amounted to 400 million, and exports - 280 million. The main imports are grain, foodstuffs, machinery and oil. Main import partners: France (17.4%), Ivory Coast (11.3%), Italy (8.4%), Nigeria (7.3%), Germany (6.5%), USA (5 .5%) and China (4.8%) - 2004. Main export commodities - uranium ore, livestock, livestock products and vegetables. Main export partners - France (47.1%, is the main importer of Niger uranium), Nigeria (22.7%), Japan (8.6%) and USA (5.4%) - 2004.

Energy.

Electricity consumption is increasing due to uranium mining. Electricity generation partially meets domestic needs. Its production in 2002 was 266.2 million kilowatt-hours, while its import (from Nigeria) was 80 million kilowatt-hours. Electricity is generated at thermal power plants running on diesel fuel.

Transport.

The transport network is not developed. There are no railroads. The total length of motor roads is 14,000 km, including 3,620 km of paved roads (2000 estimate). Navigation along the Niger River has been established, the length of waterways is 300 km. There are 27 airports and runways (9 of them are paved) - 2004. International airports are located in the cities of Niamey and Agadez.

Finance and credit.

The monetary unit is the CFA franc (XOF), consisting of 100 centimes. In December 2004, the national currency rate was: 1 USD = 528.3 XOF.

Tourism.

Developed since the 1960s. Foreign tourists are attracted by the diversity of natural landscapes, the possibility of traveling on pirogues along the Niger River, as well as the richness and originality of the culture of local peoples. In 1995, the country was visited by 66.2 thousand tourists from the USA, European countries (mainly from France) and Africa. The further development of the tourism industry was negatively affected by the political instability of the middle. 1990s In 1999, 42.4 thousand foreign tourists arrived. Income from tourism amounted to 24 million US dollars (in 1997 - 18 million US dollars).

Sightseeing: National Museum in the capital, oases of the Aira mountain plateau, adobe mosque in the city of Agadez (16th century), rock art in the Jado and Mammanet mountains (more than 5 thousand images).

SOCIETY AND CULTURE

Education.

By the time of independence, 99% of the country's population was illiterate. Officially compulsory is 8 years of education. Children receive primary education (6 years) at the age of 7-13. The secondary (7 years) begins at the age of 13 and takes place in two stages - 4 and 3 years. Less than 25% of children of the corresponding age regularly attend primary school, and approx. five%. (2005). There are Koranic Islamic schools, including private ones. Since 1974, increased attention has been paid to the development of Islamic education. The system of higher education includes the University. Abdu Mumuni Diopa (Niamey, opened in 1973, is under state control), the Islamic University of West Africa (Sai, opened in 1987) and the College of Management. In 2002, at 8 faculties and departments of the University. A. Diopa (the current name has been since 1999), 279 teachers worked and 5.85 thousand students studied. Niger has an extremely low literacy rate of the population - 17.6% (25.8% of men and 9.7% of women) - 2003.

Healthcare.

The incidence rate of AIDS is 1.2% (2003). In 2003, there were 70 thousand AIDS patients and HIV-infected people, 4.8 thousand people died. In the UN report on the human development of the planet in 2001, Niger stood at 174th place.

Architecture.

In the south and east of the country, the traditional dwellings of the peoples engaged in agriculture (Khausa, Dzherma, Songhai) are round adobe or thatched huts. Their roof is made of straw and has a conical shape. Next to the dwelling, granaries covered with a thatched roof are built - clay vessels reaching up to 3 m in height. The dwellings of nomadic peoples (Tuaregs and Fulbe) are round or rectangular tents and tents made of mats covered with leather.

In modern cities, houses are built of brick and reinforced concrete structures.

Fine Arts and Crafts.

On the territory of the Air and Jado mountain ranges, rock paintings (schematic and naturalistic images of wild animals, people, as well as hunting scenes) of the Neolithic era have been preserved. The oldest of them date back to 9-8 millennium BC. e. In 1985, in the village of Bura (100 km from the capital), two terracotta figurines, known as the "Riders of Bura", were found. According to experts, the value of the figurines lies in the fact that their earlier dating somewhat changes the generally accepted point of view on the process of settling the African continent.

Contemporary fine arts began to develop after the country gained independence. Artists - Bubakar Bureima, Riss Ixa.

Of the crafts and arts and crafts, pottery, leather production, blacksmithing, weaving, weaving and jewelry are developed. Outside of Niger, Tuareg and Fulbe jewelry, djerma weaving, and painting of calabash (pumpkin vessels) of the Hausa people are known. The works of Niger artists and products of craftsmen are widely represented in the exposition of the National Museum of Niger (Niamey, founded in 1959).

There is an acute problem of smuggling of archaeological finds from Niger (primarily to France).

Literature.

The birth of national literature began in the 1950s. It is based on the rich oral traditions (myths, songs, proverbs and fairy tales) of the local peoples. Bubu Khama is considered the first national writer in importance. Other famous writers and playwrights are Amadou Usman, Bureyma Ada, Diado Amadou, Ide Umaru. Poets - Abdulay Mamani, Bube Zume, Maman Garba. The works of some Niger writers were published in France.

Music and theatre.

National music has a long tradition. It was formed on the basis of the musical art of local peoples and is closely related to the activities of griots (the common name for professional storytellers and musicians-singers in West Africa). A rich musical instrumentation - algaita (oboe), various drums (kalangu, karangazhi, harre, ettebel), lutes (gote, inzag, kuntigi, molo), rattles (jan-jama, zari), horns and rattles (dombo, kuariya) and flutes (saisei, sareua, tasinsak). Playing musical instruments, songs and dances are closely connected with the daily life of the local peoples. The National Ensemble of Niger came on tour to the USSR in 1981. In February 2004, several folklore groups and musical groups from Niger took part in the 1st International Festival of Music of Nomadic Peoples, which was held in Nouakchott (Mauritania). Famous musicians - Maman Garba, Dan Gurmu (griot).

Theatrical performances of wandering "comedians" using wooden puppets were often held on Muslim holidays. Amateur theater groups were created at educational institutions and cultural centers in the 1950s. Playwrights - Mahamane Dandobi, Damagaram A. Salifu, Bubu Khama.

Cinema.

Niger is one of the first states of the African continent where national cinema appeared. The first film, The Wedding, was directed by Mustafa Alassan in 1962. Umar Ganda made a great contribution to the development of national cinema. Other film directors are Moussa Alzouma, Mustafa Diop, Jingare Maiga, Abdul Kerim Seini. Filmmakers of the country were regular participants in the Moscow and Tashkent film festivals, in 1980 Niger Film Week was held in Moscow.

Press, radio broadcasting, television and the Internet.

Published in French: daily government newspaper Le Sahel, government gazette Journal Officiel de la République du Niger (Official Gazette of the Republic of Niger, published every two weeks) , the independent weekly newspaper Le Républicain (The Republican) and the quarterly magazine Nigerama. The national news agency "Nigerian Press Agency" (Agence Nigérienne de Presse, ANP) has been operating since 1987. The public broadcasting service has been operating since 1958. Regular radio broadcasts are conducted in French and Arabic, as well as in local languages ​​​​- Djerma, Gourmanche, Kanuri, Tamashek, fulfulde and hausa. Television began working on April 15, 1979, broadcasts programs daily. In 2002 there were 15 thousand Internet users.

HISTORY

Pre-colonial and colonial periods of development.

Before the establishment of French power at the end of the 19th century. Niger's history has included tribal migrations, conflicts between newcomers and natives, the rise and fall of state formations, and rivalries between them. In the 11th century Tuareg, nomadic pastoralists of Berber origin, who came from North Africa, settled in the Air Plateau region. They assimilated part of the Hausa farmers who then lived in the most elevated areas of the plateau, and pushed the rest south to the territory located between the modern cities of Tahoua and Zinder. Starting from the 14th century. The Hausa created their own city-states on the territory of southern Niger. The confederation formed by the Tuareg (Air Sultanate) was rather amorphous, but one of its rulers, Yusuf, founded the city of Agadez, which in 1430 became the capital of Air (hence the name "Agades Sultanate"). In the 16th century The army of the State of Songhai (centered in Gao) captured vast areas of western and central Niger, including the Sultanate of Agadez. Agadez prospered due to the fact that caravan routes crossed there, connecting the capital of Songhay, the city of Gao on the Niger River, with Tripolitania and Egypt.

After the conquest of Songhai by Moroccan troops in 1591, control over part of the Air region and the Hausa lands in the southeast, including Zinder, was established by the state of Bornu with its capital in Ngazargamu (on the territory of modern Nigeria). Other Hausa, who created the city-states of Gobir, Katsina and Daura and withstood the onslaught of the states of Songhai and Kebbi, managed to maintain their independence, albeit a very fragile one. Frequent civil strife and clashes with other Hausan states did not prevent the prosperity of these city-states due to developed agriculture and crafts, as well as participation in the trans-Saharan trade.

At the beginning of the 17th century. many Djerma settlers from the Songhai state settled east of the Niger River and became settled farmers. At the same time, a new wave of Tuareg appeared on the territory of Niger, moving south towards the Niger River. Other Tuareg groups were re-established in the 18th century. their independence and moved west to raid the lands of the former state of Songhai. At the beginning of the 19th century the Hausan lands and the western part of Bornu became the scene of a holy war of jihad, led by the Muslim theologian and reformer Osman dan Fodio, an ethnic Fulbe. He succeeded in establishing Fulbe power in most of Northern Nigeria and in the southern regions of Niger. The state of Bornu, revived under the leadership of the Muslim preacher and commander al-Kanemi, repelled the onslaught of the Fulani and controlled the southeastern part of Niger until the appearance there at the end of the 19th century. Sudanese conqueror Rabbah.

When in the 19th century the first European travelers appeared in Niger, they found this region in a state of complete anarchy and saw disintegrating state formations and small isolated settlements, whose inhabitants could not defend themselves from aggressive warlike neighbors. In 1806, the Scottish traveler Mungo Park descended down the Niger River, and in 1822 the Scot Hugh Clapperton and the Englishman Dixon Denham set off from Tripoli across the Sahara and reached Lake Chad. In 1853–1855, the German explorer Heinrich Barth, who was in the British service, went with his expedition from the Niger River to Lake Chad. In 1870, another German explorer, Gustav Nachtigal, crossed the territory of the Sahara from the Bilma oasis to Ngigmi near Lake Chad. Although there were no French among these researchers, at the international Berlin conference of 1884-1885 on the division of Africa, the region of the upper reaches of the Niger River was declared a zone of French interests. In 1890, representatives of Great Britain and France came to an agreement on establishing a demarcation line between the zones of interests of Great Britain and France, which ran from the city of Sai on the Niger River to Garoua on Lake Chad. In 1898 and 1904 this boundary was adjusted to reflect the results of new research and "actual occupation". In 1891–1892, Lieutenant Colonel P.L. Montey, on behalf of the French government, surveyed the territory of this region, as a result of which, after 1897, a number of French military posts were created between the Niger River and Lake Chad. Due to the stubborn resistance of the Tuareg to the French colonial expansion, Agadez was captured only in 1904. The Tuareg did not accept the loss of independence and during the First World War raised an uprising against the French authorities, which was suppressed after the war, but the French could not establish effective control over Tuareg nomads. In addition, the French faced fierce resistance from the tuba nomads in the eastern part of Niger, which they managed to break only in 1922.

In 1900, the “military autonomous territory of Zinder” was created (in 1910 it was transformed into the “military territory of Niger”), which was included in the colony of Upper Senegal-Niger, which was part of French West Africa (FZA). In 1922, the territory of Niger was separated into a separate colony within the FZA. In 1926 the administrative center of the colony was moved from Zinder to Niamey.

Prior to the introduction of the French constitution in 1946, there were no political organizations of the modern type in Niger. The constitution provided for African representation in the local governments of the colonies, which became "overseas territories", and were also represented in the French National Assembly. In 1946, the first political party in Niger, the Niger Progressive Party (NPP), was created, which became one of the sections of the African Democratic Union (ADO), which operated in all the FZA colonies. Pretty soon, the NPP began to lose its authority, and in 1951 a split occurred in it, caused by the unwillingness of the left wing, led by the radical trade union leader Djibo Bakari, to follow the political line of part of the leadership of the DOA to refuse to cooperate with the French Communist Party. In 1957, D. Bakari created a new party in opposition to the NPP - the Niger Democratic Union (since 1958 - Sawaba). In the first elections held in 1957 after the introduction of a law that granted the "overseas territories" greater autonomy, Bakari's party won a majority of seats in the Niger parliament, and he himself took the post of prime minister. During the campaign on the eve of the referendum on the draft French constitution of 1958, in which the population of the French colonies in Africa had to vote either for joining the French Community or for breaking all ties with the mother country, Sawaba advocated the complete independence of Niger. In this situation, the NPP, together with the leaders and other political forces, formed the coalition "Union for the Franco-African Community". In the referendum, the results of which, however, are considered controversial, 78% of the votes were cast for the entry of Niger into the French Community. The new government was headed by NPP leader Amani Diori. In the December 1958 parliamentary elections, the NPP won a majority of seats in the National Assembly. The following year, Sawaba's party was banned, MPs on its lists expelled from parliament, and party leaders expelled from Niger.

Period of independent development.

After Niger's independence was proclaimed in August 1960, A. Diori became president of the country; in 1965 and 1970 he was re-elected for a new term. Diori's conservative regime maintained close political and economic ties with France. Throughout the 1960s, there were clashes between supporters of the Sawaba party and state law enforcement forces. Niger suffered more than other countries in the Sahel zone from the drought of 1969-1974, which caused massive famine. The number of livestock has been sharply reduced in the country. After the information spread that foreign aid did not reach the starving population due to the inefficiency and venality of the authorities, the authority of the Diori regime was sharply shaken. In April 1974 he was overthrown in a military coup. Power passed to the Supreme Military Council (VVS), headed by Lieutenant Colonel Seini Kunche. The end of the drought and rising world prices for uranium helped the military government make some progress in rebuilding the economy, although the country remained in poverty. The military leadership of Niger sought to maintain close ties with France, and when Libya invaded neighboring Chad in 1980, it began to strengthen relations with the Arab countries and the states of West Africa.

Since 1989, power in Niger has passed into the hands of Ali Saibu, the chief of staff of the armed forces. He introduced a new constitution that allowed for a multiparty system and founded the National Development Society Movement (Nassara) party. In 1989 the constitution was suspended and the National Assembly dissolved. Amadou Cheiffou became the head of the interim government and began preparations for the parliamentary and presidential elections. In 1993, for the first time, a representative of the Hausa people, Mahamane Usman, was elected president of the country, who held this post until January 1996, when a coup d'état took place. The prime minister and the speaker of parliament were removed from their positions. The Council of National Reconciliation (CNR) was created, headed by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, I. Barre Mainasara. The new constitution, introduced on May 22, 1996, banned the activities of political parties. In July 1996, Mainasara was elected president of the country, and in November 1996 parliamentary elections were held.

In early 1999, parliamentary and local elections were held. However, their results were annulled by the Supreme Court in February, as they did not suit the country's leadership (many representatives of opposition parties emerged as winners). Dissatisfaction with the ruling regime is ripening in the country. And on April 9, Mainasara was killed. The head of the presidential guard, Major Dauda Malam Vanke (a native of the Hausa people), was appointed head of state and chairman of the SNP.

Niger at the beginning of the 21st century

The 1999 presidential elections were held in two rounds - October 17 and November 24. 7 candidates participated in the first round, in the second - the struggle for the presidency unfolded between the candidate from the party "National Movement for a Development Society - Nassara" (NDO - Nassara) Mamadou Tanja and Mahamadou Issoufou - leader of the "Nigerian Party for Democracy and Socialism" (NPDS ). M. Tanja was elected President of the country, who received 59.89% of the votes.

In the parliamentary elections held on November 24, 1999, the NDOR-Nassara party also won a landslide victory (38 out of 86 seats in the National Assembly).

In 2000, the government launched a two-year program of intensive economic reforms. The program envisaged, first of all, the privatization and re-profiling of state-owned enterprises, as well as the reduction of budget expenditures for social needs. Until 2003, real GDP was negative.

In the presidential elections of 2004, which were held in two rounds (November 16 and December 4), Tanja again won. In the second round of elections, M. Issufu was his political opponent.

In the elections to the National Assembly, held on December 4, 2004, the NDOR-Nassara party won a landslide victory (47 out of 113 seats). The Party for Democracy and Socialism of the Niger (PPDS) won 25 seats, the Democratic and Social Convention (DSC) 22 seats, the remaining 19 seats went to the SDS, UDP, the Niger Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress and the NSDP. Mahaman Usman, Chairman of the DSK, was elected Chairman of the Parliament.

By the summer of 2005, an extremely difficult situation had developed in the country: due to a long drought, as well as an invasion of locusts that destroyed crops, famine began. The UN estimates that 2.5 million people in Niger are in need of urgent food assistance. A particularly critical situation has developed in the northwestern regions of the country. France was the first to provide food aid under the auspices of the UN: in July, a batch of 18 tons of humanitarian supplies was sent to Niger. The total amount of French aid to Niger will be approx. 5 million euros (together with additional food aid of 1.5 million euros). Germany also sent a large consignment of food in July. Nigeria donated 1,000 tons of grain to help the famine-stricken Niger.

In January 2005, President Tanja was elected chairman of ECOWAS. The last changes in the government were made on February 12, 2005. In December 2005, the Francophone Games will be held in Niamey. In order to prepare sports events, France has allocated more than 10 million euros to Niger for the development of the infrastructure of the capital.

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African countries and Russia. Directory. M., 2004

NIGER, Republic of Niger. State in West Africa.
The capital is the city of Niamey (700 thousand people - 2002).
Territory - 1.267 million square meters. km.
Administrative-territorial division - 7 departments and the metropolitan municipal district.
Population - 12.5 million people. (2005, estimate).
The official language is French.
Religion - Islam, traditional African beliefs and Christianity.
The monetary unit is the CFA franc.

Niger has been a member of the UN since 1960, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1963, and since 2002 its successor - the African Union (AU), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since 1975, the Common Afro-Mauritian Organization (OKAM) since 1965, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Economic and Monetary Union of West African States (UEMOA) since 1994 and the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF).

The territory of Niger is located within the ancient African platform. The basement rocks - granites, gneisses and crystalline schists - come to the surface in the north - in the Air massif, in the southwest - on the coast of the Niger River and in the south - between the cities of Zinder and Gure. Air divides the country into western and eastern parts. Its steep steep slopes stand out sharply against the background of the surrounding plateaus. The massif is composed of ancient crystalline rocks intruded by volcanic intrusions. In Air, rich deposits of uranium ores are concentrated in the Arlit and Imuraren regions, as well as coal deposits in Anu-Araren.

In the west and east of the country, the foundation is covered by a layer of sedimentary rocks. Thick oil-bearing layers have been discovered here, which are being developed in the Tin-Tumma area. On the right bank of the Niger River, industrial deposits of iron ore were discovered near the city of Sai and phosphorites near Tapoa and Tahua. Gypsum and tin deposits have also been discovered.

The Air massif has a general slope to the west, where heights reach only 700–800 m. There are many deep valleys with dry riverbeds (locally called kori), which occasionally fill with water during rains. In the central part of the massif, average heights reach 1300–1700 m. Here are the highest points of the country - Tamgak (1988) and Idukaln-Tages (2022 m).

The eastern part of Air abruptly breaks off towards the vast desert of Tenere, where mobile dunes predominate, forming dune ridges and massifs.

In the north of Niger, there are the Mangeni and Jado plateaus, dissected by deep canyons. The average heights of the plateau are 800–900 m (the highest point is 1054 m on the Mangeni plateau).

In the southern regions of the country, leveled plateaus, composed of sandstones, sands and loams with separate outcrops of crystalline rocks, predominate. Average heights are 200–500 m. The monotony of the relief is broken by the heavily dissected Adar-Duchi plateau southeast of Tahoua and the picturesque granite hills in the vicinity of Zinder.

Niger is located in one of the hottest regions in the world. The average annual temperature here is 27–29°C. Evaporation reaches 2000–3000 mm, while the annual precipitation almost never exceeds 600 mm.

The vast northern regions, located in the Sahara desert, are characterized by a tropical desert climate with great dryness of the air, high daily temperatures and sharp daily temperature fluctuations (more than 20 °). The southern regions that make up the Sahel zone are distinguished by a variable humid tropical climate with one rainy season lasting from two to four months. Here, too, there are great differences in day and night temperatures, and the midday heat can reach 40 ° C.

If the Sahara generally receives less than 100 mm of precipitation per year and there are areas where it does not rain at all for several years, then in the Sahel region the average annual rainfall in the north does not exceed 300 mm, and in the south, at the latitude of Tahoua and Niamey, sometimes increases to 400–600 mm.

In the extreme southwest of Niger, near the border with the Republic of Benin, the climate is more humid. The average annual rainfall exceeds 800 mm, and the rainy season lasts 5–7 months.

The change of seasons and the amount of precipitation depend on the wind regime. In April - June, a hot dry wind dominates - Harmattan, blowing from the Sahara. In July-August, it is replaced by the southwest monsoon, which brings more humid air from the Atlantic Ocean.

Frequent droughts cause great damage to Niger's agriculture. In 1968-1974, a severe drought broke out throughout the country, accompanied by the death of crops and livestock.

The country's largest river, the Niger, is fed by heavy rainfall in its upper reaches. The flood near the city of Niamey occurs in late January - early February. To the south, near the city of Gaya, two floods are pronounced - in February and September-October. The Niger Valley is the most important agricultural region of the country, in which the waters of the river are widely used for irrigation.

Niger owns part of the water area of ​​Lake Chad, which often changes the shape of the coast and the water level. Depths vary from 1 to 4 m, depending on the amount of precipitation and the volume of river flow. The highest level is in January, the lowest - in July. The lake is rich in fish, but its shores, heavily overgrown with grasses and shrubs, are swampy and difficult to access.

The main part of the territory of Niger is located in the desert zone and only 1/4 is in the savannah zone. In the north, in the desert of Tenere and on the plateau of Air, Jado, etc., only after the rains does a bright carpet of ephemeral herbaceous plants appear, which lasts for several weeks, and then dries up. Palm trees grow in oases - date and doum.

The savannas of the Sahel are dominated by cereals and other grasses, as well as thorny shrubs and rare trees. The natural vegetation here is severely affected by livestock grazing.

As you move south, more trees are found in the savannas, especially acacias with umbrella crowns. Baobabs, palm trees (dum, etc.) also grow, and bearded vulture and elephant grass predominate among the grasses. In the extreme southwest, woody vegetation begins to dominate, large trees with lush green crowns appear: bombaks (cotton tree), mangoes with bright orange fruits, papayas and palms. Bamboos grow along the rivers.

Numerous rodents, fennec fox, oryx and addax antelopes are found in the deserts of Niger. Graceful gazelles, many predators (cheetah, hyena, jackal) live in the expanses of the savannas. The world of birds is rich: there are ostriches, eagles, white-headed vultures, kites.

In the southern savanna, giraffes, antelopes and wild boars have survived in some places among large mammals, and lions among predators. On the right bank of the Niger and near Lake Chad there are large herds of elephants. There are hippos and crocodiles in the rivers. Birds are especially numerous: ducks, geese, waders, herons, cranes, ibises, storks, black marabou. Among them are many migratory species. Lots of insects, especially termites and locusts.

Natural reserves have been created in the area of ​​the Air mountain plateau and the Tener desert.

Capital - Niamey

Population

TYPICAL COUNTRY HOUSE in Niger

One of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa, the average population density is 9.1 people. per 1 sq. km (2002). The average annual population growth is 3.5%. Niger is one of the countries with a high birth rate (48.3 per 1000 people), the death rate is 21.33 per 1000 people. The infant mortality rate (278 per 1,000 births) is one of the highest in the world. The average age of the population is 16.25 years. 47.3% of the population are children under 14 years of age. Residents who have reached the age of 65 - 2.1%. Life expectancy - 42.13 years (men - 42.46, women - 41.8). (All figures are in estimates for 2005).

Niger is a multi-ethnic state. The African population of the country belongs to more than 20 ethnic groups. The most numerous peoples are: Hausa (56%), Djerma (22%), Fulbe (8.5%), Tuareg (8%) and Kanuri (4.3%). Arabs, French (about 1200 people) and other peoples also live on the territory of the country. Of the local languages, the most common languages ​​are Hausa, Djerma, Fulfulde, Kanuri and Tamashek.

The rural population is approx. 80%, urban - approx. 20% (2002). Large cities - Zinder (185.1 thousand people), Maradi (172.9 thousand people) and Tahoua (87.7 thousand people) - 2001.

Labor migration of Nigerians to Benin, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Togo is noted.

Religions. 95% of the population are Muslims (professing Sunni Islam), 4.5% are adherents of traditional African beliefs (animalism, fetishism, the cult of ancestors, forces of nature, etc.), 0.5% are Christians (the vast majority of Catholics) - 2004. The spread of Islam began in the 9th-11th centuries. n. e. The Sufi order (tarikat) Tijaniya enjoys especially great influence among Muslims. The Senussiyya and Hamaliyya tarikats are also influential.

GOVERNMENT

Niger is a presidential republic. There is a constitution approved by a referendum on July 18, 1999 and entered into force on August 9, 1999. The head of state is the president, who is elected by universal direct and secret suffrage for a 5-year term. Legislative power is exercised by a unicameral parliament (National Assembly), which consists of 113 deputies elected on the basis of universal direct and secret suffrage. His term of office is 5 years.

Administrative device. The country is divided into 7 departments and the metropolitan municipal district.

Judicial system. Based on French civil law, Shariah and customary law also apply. There are the Supreme, High, Appellate Courts and the State Security Court.

Armed forces and defense. The national armed forces were created in August 1961. In 2002 they numbered 5,300 people. (army - 5.2 thousand people, air force - 100 people). Paramilitary formations numbering 5.4 thousand people. consist of the gendarmerie (1.4 thousand people), the republican guard (2.5 thousand people) and the police (1.5 thousand people). Service in the army lasts two years. Defense spending is $33.3 million (1.1% of GDP) - 2004.

Foreign policy. It is based on the policy of non-alignment. The main foreign policy partners are France and Nigeria. Supporting the concept of strengthening security in the Sahara-Sahel zone, Niger regularly participates in high-level meetings with the rest of the Sahara-Sahel states - Libya, Burkina Faso and Mali. Good neighborly relations are developing with Algeria. Interstate relations with Côte d'Ivoire are complicated due to the problem of the influx of refugees from this country.

ECONOMY

Niger is an agricultural country. It ranks second (after Sierra Leone) in the world in terms of poverty. According to the UN ca. 3.5 million people suffer from hunger. The annual income of 75% of the population is $365, of which 35% live below the poverty line. 40% of the population (mostly in rural areas) suffers from chronic malnutrition.

Agriculture. The share of the agricultural sector in GDP is 39% (2001), 85% of the population is employed in it (2005, estimate). 3.54% of the land is cultivated (2001). Agricultural production is almost entirely dependent on rainfall. The annual growth of production in the agricultural sector is approx. 2%. The main export crops are peanuts and vegetables. Oranges, bananas, legumes, corn, millet, rice, sugarcane, sorghum, cotton and tobacco are also grown. Nomadic animal husbandry is developed (breeding of camels, horses, cattle, donkeys, sheep and goats). Fish catch in 2000 amounted to 16.27 thousand tons.

GRANTS

Industry. Share in GDP - 17% (2001). The main industries are mining and manufacturing. Niger ranks third (after Canada and Australia) in the world in terms of uranium mining. Its share in the country's exports is constantly decreasing, in 2002 it was 32% (in 1990 - 60%). Coal and gold are also mined. There are enterprises for processing agricultural products, including the production of peanut butter, flour and beer. There are small factories of the textile and leather industries.

International trade. The volume of imports significantly exceeds the volume of exports: in 2002, imports (in US dollars) amounted to 400 million, and exports - 280 million. The main imports are grain, foodstuffs, machinery and oil. Main import partners: France (17.4%), Ivory Coast (11.3%), Italy (8.4%), Nigeria (7.3%), Germany (6.5%), USA (5 .5%) and China (4.8%) - 2004. Main export commodities - uranium ore, livestock, livestock products and vegetables. Main export partners - France (47.1%, is the main importer of Niger uranium), Nigeria (22.7%), Japan (8.6%) and USA (5.4%) - 2004.

Energy. Electricity consumption is increasing due to uranium mining. Electricity generation partially meets domestic needs. Its production in 2002 was 266.2 million kilowatt-hours, while its import (from Nigeria) was 80 million kilowatt-hours. Electricity is generated at thermal power plants running on diesel fuel.

Transport. The transport network is not developed. There are no railroads. The total length of motor roads is 14,000 km, including 3,620 km of paved roads (2000 estimate). Navigation along the Niger River has been established, the length of waterways is 300 km. There are 27 airports and runways (9 of them are paved) - 2004. International airports are located in the cities of Niamey and Agadez.

SOCIETY

The incidence rate of AIDS is 1.2% (2003). In 2003, there were 70 thousand AIDS patients and HIV-infected people, 4.8 thousand people died. In the UN report on the human development of the planet in 2001, Niger stood at 174th place.

Architecture. In the south and east of the country, the traditional dwellings of the peoples engaged in agriculture (Khausa, Dzherma, Songhai) are round adobe or thatched huts. Their roof is made of straw and has a conical shape. Next to the dwelling, granaries covered with a thatched roof are built - clay vessels reaching up to 3 m in height. The dwellings of nomadic peoples (Tuaregs and Fulbe) are round or rectangular tents and tents made of mats covered with leather.

In modern cities, houses are built of brick and reinforced concrete structures.