The Probert Encyclopaedia of Places of the World

NIGER

The Republic of Niger is a country in west Africa. It has a total area of 1,267,000 km2. The climate is desert, mostly hot, dry, dusty and tropical in the extreme south. The terrain is predominately desert plains and sand dunes with flat to rolling plains in the south and hills in the north. Natural resources are uranium, coal, iron ore, tin and phosphates. The religion is 80% Sunni Muslim, with the remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians. The official language is French with Hausa and Djerma also spoken. The area of Niger became a part of French West Africa in 1901 and achieved self-government in 1920 and full independence in 1960.
Research Niger