Meaning of Country's name
|
Named after the Niger River, from a native term Ni Gir or "River Gir" or from Tuareg n'eghirren ("flowing water"). The name has often been misinterpreted, especially by Latinists, to be derived from the Latin niger ("black"), a reference to the dark complexions of the inhabitants of the region |
Capital
|
Niamey |
Largest Cities
|
Niamey, Zinder, Maradi, Agadez |
Population
|
15,306,252 (2009 est) |
Country Code
|
227 |
Internet Country Code
|
.ne |
Area
|
489,678 sq (1,267,000 km sq) |
Area-Comparative
|
Slightly less than the twice of Texas |
Bordering Countries
|
Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mail, Algeria, Libya, Chad |
Date of Founding (Current State)
|
August 3, 1960 |
Type of Government
|
Military Junta |
Languages Spoken
|
French, Hausa, Zarma & Songhai |
Religions Practiced
|
Islam (90%), Christianity (5%), Other (5%) |
GDP per Capita
|
$719 (2009 est) (USD) |
Latest GDP Growth Rate
|
3.2% (2009 est) |
Top Exports
|
Ores, Slags, Ash, Live Animals, Textile, Clothing, Precious Stones |
National Holidays
|
New Year's Day – January 1, Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Mohammed – February 26, Easter Monday – April 5, National Concord Day – April 24, Labor Day – May 1, Independence Day – May 1, Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan) – September 11, Tabaski (Feast of Sacrifice) – November 17, Republic Day – December 18, Christmas Day – December 25 |
Money Currency
|
West African CFA franc (XOF) |
National Sports Teams
|
Niger National Rugby Union Team |
Random Fact
|
Niger has a dinosaur graveyard |
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