Niger flag
Basic facts of NigerOfficial name: Republic of Niger
Capital: Niamey
Area: 1,267,000 sq km, 489,200 sq mi
Population: 13,272,679 (2008 estimate)
Population growth rate: 2.88 percent (2008 estimate)
Population density: 11 persons per sq km, 27 persons per sq mi (2008 estimate)
Urban/rural distribution:
Share urban 23 percent (2005 estimate)
Share rural 77 percent (2005 estimate)
Largest cities: Niamey, Zinder, Maradi, Tahoua, Agadez
Religious affiliations:
Muslim 90 percent (almost all Sunni Muslim)
Indigenous beliefs 8 percent
Christian 1 percent
Other 1 percent
Life expectancy:
Total 44.3 years (2008 estimate)
Female 44.3 years (2008 estimate)
Male 44.3 years (2008 estimate)
Literacy rate:
Total 18.7 percent (2005 estimate)
Female 10.6 percent (2005 estimate)
Male 27.1 percent (2005 estimate)
Form of government: Democratic republic
Total number of military personnel: 5,300 (2004)
Introduction:
Niger (country) (French Republique du Niger), republic in western Africa, bounded on the north by Algeria and Libya, on the east by Chad, on the south by Nigeria and Benin, and on the west by Burkina Faso and Mali. It has a total area of 1,267,000 sq km (489,200 sq mi).
A mosque of Niamey
Niamey is the capital of Niger, located along the Niger River. The city serves as a port and major commercial and trade center.