République du Niger

Location west central Africa
Bordered By Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria

Area 489,191 sq mi (1,267,000 sq km)
Highest Point Idoukal-n-Taghes; 6,634 ft (2,022 m)
Lowest Point Niger River; 656 ft (200 m)
Natural Resources uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum

Nationality Nigerien
Population (July 2015) 18,045,729
Largest Cities Niamey
Ethnic Groups Haoussa, Djerma Sonrai, Tuareg, Peuhl, Kanouri Manga
Religions Muslim
Languages French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Capital Niamey
Form of Government republic
Present Constitution Adopted October 31, 2010
Chief of State President Issoufou Mahamadou (since April 7, 2011)
Head of Government Prime Minister Brigi Rafini (since April 7, 2011)
Cabinet appointed by the President
Legislature unicameral National Assembly
Judiciary Constitutional Court
Local Administration 8 regions, 1 capital district

Currency CFA Franc
Per Capita Income $1,000
Industries uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses
Agricultural Products cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava, rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry
Export Commodities uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions
Import Commodities foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals

Independence from France Achieved August 3, 1960
National Holiday Republic Day, December 18 (1958)
Flag the orange band denotes the drier northern regions of the Sahara; white stands for purity and innocence; green symbolizes hope and the fertile and productive southern and western areas, as well as the Niger River; the orange disc represents the sun and the sacrifices made by the people

SEE ALSO
Benin
Burkina Faso
Mali
Algeria
Libya
Chad
Nigeria

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This page was last updated on May 03, 2017.