Geography of Niger

{{Short description|none}}  {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}} {{More citations needed|date=April 2013}} {{Infobox country geography |name = Niger |map = 250px 240px|Location map of Niger |map size = |continent = Africa |region = Western Africa |coordinates = {{Coord|16|00|N|08|00|E|type:country}} |area ranking = 21st |km area = 1,266,700 |percent land = |percent water = {{#expr:300/1266700*100 round 2}} |km coastline = 0 |borders = Land boundaries: Algeria 951 km Benin 277 km Burkina Faso 622 km Chad 1,196 km Libya 342 km Mali 838 km Nigeria 1,608 km<ref name="The World Factbook">{{cite web|title=The World Factbook|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/niger/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109131606/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/niger|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 January 2021|website=CIA.gov|access-date=20 April 2015}}</ref> {{infobox|child=yes | label1 = Irrigated land | data1 = 736.6 km² (2005) | label2 = Total renewable water resources | data2 = 33.65 km3 (2011) }} |highest point = Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès, 2,022 m |lowest point = Niger River, 200 m |longest river = |largest lake = |climate = Hot desert; hot semi-arid in extreme southwest |terrain = Mostly desert plains and sand dunes, hills in the north |natural resources = Uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum |natural hazards = Recurring droughts |environmental issues = Overgrazing, soil erosion, deforestation, poaching }}

Niger is a landlocked nation in West Africa located along the border between the Sahara and Sub-Saharan regions. Its geographic coordinates are longitude 16°N and latitude 8°E.

==Area== :* Total: {{convert|1,267,000|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="The World Factbook" /> :**''country rank in the world:'' 21st :* Land: {{convert|1,266,700|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}} :* Water: {{convert|300|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}

; Area comparative :* Australia comparative: slightly smaller than the Northern Territory :* Canada comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Manitoba :* United States comparative: slightly more than three times the size of California :* EU comparative: approximately twice the size of France ==Brief history== Niger, which attained independence from France in 1960 was under military rule until 1991. On public demand Gen. Ali Saibou held multiparty elections in 1993 and soon democracy came into effect in 1993. However, political unrest was caused by Col. Ibrahim Bare who staged a coup in 1996, but he later died in a counter insurgency operations by officers of the military establishment in 1999. This was followed by fresh elections for a democratic rule, and Mamadou Tandja assumed power in December 1999. Tandja, who won the elections in 2004 and in 2009, wanted to bring about a constitutional amendment to extend his tenure as president. However, in February 2010, he was removed from the post of the president in a coup engineered by the military and the constitution was annulled. Soon after, in 2011, elections were held and Mahamadou Issoufou got elected as the president and was sworn in April 2011.<ref name="The World Factbook"/> Niger's problem with rebellious groups continued during 2007 and 2008. Rebellion was controlled. However, its security problems with its neighbors such as Libya, Nigeria and Mali have been a cause for concern.<ref name="The World Factbook"/>

==Geography== Niger, with a land area of 1.267 million km2, is a land locked country which is bounded with a land boundary of 5,834 km by seven countries: Algeria (951 km), Benin (277 km), Burkina Faso (622 km), Chad (1,196 km), Libya (342 km), Mali 838 km, and Nigeria (1,608) km.<ref name="The World Factbook"/>

===Regions=== {{main|Regions of Niger}} Niger is divided into 7 Regions (French: ''régions;'' singular{{spaced ndash}}''région)''. Each department's capital is the same as its name.

{{stack|{{Regions of Niger Image Map}}}} {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ |-bgcolor=#ACE1AF !Region !Area (km2)<ref>[http://www.geohive.com/cntry/niger.aspx Niger at GeoHive] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420070414/http://www.geohive.com/cntry/niger.aspx |date=20 April 2015 }}</ref> !Population (2012 census) |- |Agadez |667,799 |487,620 |- |Diffa |156,906 |593,821 |- |Dosso |33,844 |2,037,713 |- |Maradi |41,796 |3,402,094 |- |Niamey |402 |1,026,848 |- |Tahoua |113,371 |3,328,365 |- |Tillabéri |97,251 |2,722,842 |- |Zinder |155,778 |3,539,764 |} *The national capital, Niamey, comprises a capital district.

===Departments=== {{main|Departments of Niger}} [[Image:Niger arrondissements.png|thumb|right|The pre-2011 36 Departments of Niger. A further 27 were then carved out of existing divisions.]] The Regions of Niger are subdivided into 63 Departments.

===Communes=== {{main|Communes of Niger}} The 63 Departments are broken down into Communes. As of 2006 there were 265 communes, including ''communes urbaines'' (Urban Communes: centred in or as subdivisions of cities of over 10000), ''communes rurales'' (Rural Communes) centred in cities of under 10,000 and/or sparsely populated areas, and a variety of traditional (clan or tribal) bodies amongst semi-nomadic populations.

<gallery caption="" widths="225px" heights="160px"> File:Niger communes.png|Communes of Niger </gallery>

===Cities=== {{main|List of cities in Niger|Niger#Largest cities and towns}}

<gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="150px"> Image:NigerOMC.png|Niger's cities, main towns and other centres File:1997 277-16A Agadez hotel.jpg|Agadez is the largest city in central Niger, with a population of 88,569 (2005 census) File:Niamey night.jpg|Niamey, the Capital of Niger </gallery>

===Roadways=== {{main|Transport in Niger}}

<gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="150px"> File:SNTVbus-Ouagadougou-Niamey.jpg|A state-run SNTV coach running between Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) and Niamey, Niger File:Blvd_Mali_Bero_from_grand_mosquee_niamey.jpg|Truck and car traffic along Boulevard Mali Bero, Niamey, Niger </gallery>

==Physical geography== ===Agricultural geography=== {{Main|Agriculture in Niger}} [[File:Niger sat.png|thumb|275px|A satellite image depicting the physical geography of Niger]]

Some of the land in Niger is used as arable land (660 km2 of land in Niger is irrigated) and as pasture. There are some forests and woodland. The table below describes land use in Niger, as of 2011.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+Land use |- ! Use !! Percentage of Area |- ! Arable land | 11.79<ref name="The World Factbook" /> |- ! Permanent crops | 0.05<ref name="The World Factbook" /> |- ! Other | 88.16<ref name="The World Factbook" /> |- |}

===Climate=== thumb|Niger map of Köppen climate classification Niger's climate is largely hot and dry, with most of the country in a desert region. The terrain is predominantly desert plains and sand dunes. There are also large plains in the south and hills in the north. In the southwest, there is a hot semi-arid climate near the edges of the Niger River Basin. There are small pockets of a tropical savanna climate on the southern border. Lake Chad at the southeast corner of the country is shared between Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon.

{{Weather box |width=auto |location=Niamey, Niger (1961–1990, extremes: 1961–2035) |metric first=yes |single line=yes |collapsed = yes

|Jan record high C=75

|Jan sun=280 |Feb sun=264 |Mar sun=264 |Apr sun=251 |May sun=257 |Jun sun=251 |Jul sun=238 |Aug sun=203 |Sep sun=228 |Oct sun=285 |Nov sun=285 |Dec sun=276 |source 1=Deutscher Wetterdienst<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_610520_kt.pdf |title=Klimatafel von Niamey (Aéro) / Niger |publisher=Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref> |source 2=Danish Meteorological Institute<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf |title=Stationsnummer 61052 |publisher=Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate |access-date=14 June 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116071752/http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf |archive-date=16 January 2013}}</ref> }}

{{Weather box | location = Agadez, Niger (1961-1990 normals) | metric first = Yes | single line = yes | width = auto | collapsed = yes | Jan record high C = 37 | Feb record high C = 40 | Mar record high C = 41 | Apr record high C = 47 | May record high C = 50 | Jun record high C = 46 | Jul record high C = 48 | Aug record high C = 43 | Sep record high C = 41 | Oct record high C = 40 | Nov record high C = 42 | Dec record high C = 40 | Jan high C = 27.9 | Feb high C = 31.1 | Mar high C = 35.0 | Apr high C = 39.2 | May high C = 41.3 | Jun high C = 41.3 | Jul high C = 39.1 | Aug high C = 37.9 | Sep high C = 38.9 | Oct high C = 37.1 | Nov high C = 32.4 | Dec high C = 29.0 | year high C = 35.8 | Jan mean C = 19.8 | Feb mean C = 22.5 | Mar mean C = 26.7 | Apr mean C = 31.2 | May mean C = 33.7 | Jun mean C = 33.8 | Jul mean C = 32.1 | Aug mean C = 31.0 | Sep mean C = 31.7 | Oct mean C = 29.4 | Nov mean C = 24.3 | Dec mean C = 21.0 | year mean C = 28.1 | Jan low C = 11.7 | Feb low C = 13.9 | Mar low C = 18.3 | Apr low C = 23.1 | May low C = 26.0 | Jun low C = 26.4 | Jul low C = 25.1 | Aug low C = 24.2 | Sep low C = 24.5 | Oct low C = 21.7 | Nov low C = 16.2 | Dec low C = 12.8 | year low C = 20.3 | Jan record low C = -1 | Feb record low C = 7 | Mar record low C = 6 | Apr record low C = 13 | May record low C = 20 | Jun record low C = 19 | Jul record low C = 18 | Aug record low C = 17 | Sep record low C = 18 | Oct record low C = 12 | Nov record low C = 5 | Dec record low C = -1 | precipitation colour = green | Jan precipitation mm = 0.0 | Feb precipitation mm = 0.0 | Mar precipitation mm = 0.1 | Apr precipitation mm = 2.0 | May precipitation mm = 5.5 | Jun precipitation mm = 10.4 | Jul precipitation mm = 35.2 | Aug precipitation mm = 49.7 | Sep precipitation mm = 8.2 | Oct precipitation mm = 0.3 | Nov precipitation mm = 0.0 | Dec precipitation mm = 0.0 | year precipitation mm = 111.4 | Jan sun = 297.6 | Feb sun = 280.0 | Mar sun = 294.5 | Apr sun = 288.0 | May sun = 297.6 | Jun sun = 270.0 | Jul sun = 288.3 | Aug sun = 285.2 | Sep sun = 285.0 | Oct sun = 306.9 | Nov sun = 303.0 | Dec sun = 294.5 | year sun = 3490.6 | source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAAclimatestatsAgadze> {{cite web |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/NG/61024.TXT |title=Agadez AERO Climate Normals 1961–1990 |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031194527/ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/NG/61024.TXT |archive-date=2020-10-31 |url-status=dead |access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>| source 2=Weatherbase<ref name = Weatherbase>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=42016&cityname=Agadez-Agadez-Niger&units=metric |title=Agadez, Niger Weather Averages Summary |publisher=CantyMedia |access-date=20 April 2016 |archive-date=5 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305164815/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=42016&cityname=Agadez-Agadez-Niger&units=metric |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

{{Weather box |metric first=yes |single line=yes |location=Arlit |width = auto |collapsed = yes |Jan high C=26.9 |Feb high C=30.1 |Mar high C=34.3 |Apr high C=38.6 |May high C=41.2 |Jun high C=41.5 |Jul high C=39.8 |Aug high C=38.6 |Sep high C=39 |Oct high C=37 |Nov high C=32.3 |Dec high C=28.4

| source 1 = ''Climate-Data.org'', altitude: 429 metres<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web|title=Climate: Arlit – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table|url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/3464/|publisher=Climate-Data.org|access-date=3 October 2013}}</ref>

}}

===Current issues=== Current environmental issues in Niger include overgrazing, soil erosion, deforestation, desertification, recurring droughts, and endangered wildlife populations (such as the African elephant, Northwest African cheetah, West African giraffe, and Addax), which are threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Niger: African Wildlife Foundation|url=http://www.awf.org/country/niger|website=AfricanWildlifeFoundation.com|access-date=20 April 2015|archive-date=7 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407111716/http://www.awf.org/country/niger|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Natural hazards==== {{Main|Sahel drought}} [[File:Sahel Map-Africa rough.png|thumb|The Sahel region is a belt up to 1,000 km wide that spans Africa from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea]]

Recurring droughts are a serious challenge for Niger.<ref>{{cite web|title=Learning the Lessons?|url=https://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bp168-learning-the-lessons-sahel-food-crisis-160413-en_1.pdf|publisher=Oxfam|access-date=20 April 2015|date=16 April 2013|archive-date=25 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825224947/http://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bp168-learning-the-lessons-sahel-food-crisis-160413-en_1.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 2012 Sahel drought, along with failed crops, insect plagues, high food prices and conflicts is currently affecting Niger causing a hunger crisis.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.trust.org/item/?map=coming-weeks-critical-to-tackle-sahel-hunger-un-humanitarian-chief | title=Coming weeks critical to tackle Sahel hunger ? U.N. humanitarian chief | publisher=trust.cm | date=24 May 2012 | access-date=27 April 2013 | author=Fominyen, George | archive-date=20 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620004150/http://www.trust.org/item/?map=coming-weeks-critical-to-tackle-sahel-hunger-un-humanitarian-chief | url-status=dead }}</ref> Many families in Niger, still recovering from the 2010 Sahel famine, are being affected by the 2012 Sahel drought.<ref name="West African food crisis 2012">{{cite web | url=http://www.trust.org/spotlight/West-African-food-crisis-2012/ | title=West African food crisis 2012 | publisher=trust.com | date=22 January 2013 | access-date=27 April 2013 | archive-date=20 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620004604/http://www.trust.org/spotlight/West-African-food-crisis-2012/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The 2005–06 Niger food crisis created a severe, but localized food security crisis in the regions of northern Maradi, Tahoua, Tillabéri, and Zinder of Niger from 2005 to 2006. It was caused by an early end to the 2004 rains, desert locust damage to some pasture lands, high food prices, and chronic poverty.

===Extreme points=== *Northernmost point: Tripoint with Algeria and Libya, Agadez Region: 23°31'N.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Libya – Niger Boundary|journal=International Boundary Study|date=4 May 1961|access-date=20 April 2015|url=http://archive.law.fsu.edu/library/collection/limitsinseas/IBS002.pdf|publisher=Office of the Geographer - Bureau of Intelligence and Research|archive-date=27 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427192208/http://archive.law.fsu.edu/library/collection/limitsinseas/IBS002.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> *Southernmost point: Benin/Niger/Nigeria tripoint, Dosso Region: 11°42'N *Easternmost point: border with Chad, Agadez Region: 16°00'E *Westernmost point: border with Mali and Burkina Faso, Tillabéri Region: 0°07'E *Highest point: Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès, Aïr Massif, Agadez Region:{{convert|2022|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="The World Factbook" /> *Lowest point: Niger River at Nigeria border, Dosso Region: {{convert|200|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="The World Factbook" />

<gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="150px"> Image:Niger Topography.png|Topography of Niger </gallery>

===International agreements=== Niger is a party to the following agreements: {{div col|colwidth=30em}} *Biodiversity *Climate Change *Desertification *Endangered species *Environmental Modification *Hazardous Wastes *Nuclear Test Ban *Ozone Layer Protection *Sustainable development goals *Wetlands {{div col end}}

Niger has signed, but not ratified the Kyoto Protocol and Law of the Sea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsIII.aspx?&src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI~6&chapter=21&Temp=mtdsg3&lang=en|title=UNTC|publisher=United Nations|access-date=27 April 2013|archive-date=12 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012091720/https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsIII.aspx?&src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI~6&chapter=21&Temp=mtdsg3&lang=en|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVII-7-a&chapter=27&lang=en|title=UNTC|publisher=United Nations|access-date=27 April 2013|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919161821/https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVII-7-a&chapter=27&lang=en|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===National parks and reserves=== {{main|List of national parks of Niger|Wildlife of Niger#National Parks and reserves}} [[File:WAP-Komplex englisch.svg|thumb|IUCN Protected area in Niger]] Niger's protected areas comprise about 7.7 percent of the total land area.<ref name=Area>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/agpc/doc/Counprof/Niger/Niger.htm|title=Niger: Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles|access-date=18 March 2013|publisher=FAO Organization|archive-date=16 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116062514/http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpc/doc/counprof/niger/niger.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Six of the reserves are fully categorized under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

===Natural resources=== {{Main|Mining in Niger}} Niger possesses the following natural resources: {{div col|colwidth=30em}} *Uranium<ref name="France backs Niger in talks with Areva over uranium mining">{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/feb/06/france-backs-niger-talks-areva-uranium | title=France backs Niger in talks with Areva over uranium mining | work=The Guardian | date=6 February 2014 | access-date=9 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF OTHER COUNTRIES OF AFRICA">{{cite web | url=https://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/1994/9247094.pdf | title=THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF OTHER COUNTRIES OF AFRICA | work=United States Geological Survey | year=1994 | access-date=9 February 2014 | pages=21 | archive-date=20 February 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130220193049/http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/1994/9247094.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref> *Coal<ref name="Coal the new weapon to stop desert advance">{{cite web | url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/50456/niger-coal-the-new-weapon-to-stop-desert-advance | title=NIGER: Coal the new weapon to stop desert advance | work=Integrated Regional Information Networks | date=1 July 2004 | access-date=9 February 2014}}</ref> *Iron ore<ref name="CROSS-BORDER DIARIES">{{cite web | url=http://www.oecd.org/swac/publications/38992286.pdf | title=CROSS-BORDER DIARIES | work=Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development | date=June 2007 | access-date=9 February 2014 | pages=52}}</ref> *Tin<ref name="THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF OTHER COUNTRIES OF AFRICA" /> *Phosphates<ref name="THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF OTHER COUNTRIES OF AFRICA" /> *Gold<ref name="Semafo up 4% after tracing new trend over 10 kilometers in Niger">{{cite web | url=http://www.mining.com/semafo-up-4-after-tracing-new-trend-over-10-kilometers-in-niger/ | title=Semafo up 4% after tracing new trend over 10 kilometers in Niger | publisher=Mining.com | date=19 June 2013 | access-date=9 February 2014 | author=Els, Frik}}</ref> *Molybdenum *Gypsum *Salt<ref name="Protecting Niger’s Desert Salt Pans">{{cite web | url=http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/05/protecting-nigers-desert-salt-pans/ | title=Protecting Niger's Desert Salt Pans | work=Inter Press Service | date=15 May 2013 | access-date=9 February 2014 | author=Issa, Ousseini}}</ref> *Oil<ref name="As refinery opens, Niger joins club of oil producers">{{cite web | url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hQcHDblgbEGuRpUaW4jhV6n_e5hw?docId=CNG.f2c02c700bcf33947db7403f3c93a92b.81 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124233237/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hQcHDblgbEGuRpUaW4jhV6n_e5hw?docId=CNG.f2c02c700bcf33947db7403f3c93a92b.81 | url-status=dead | archive-date=24 January 2013 | title=As refinery opens, Niger joins club of oil producers | agency=Agence France-Presse | date=28 November 2011 | access-date=9 February 2014}}</ref> {{div col end}}

===Waterways=== {{main|List of rivers of Niger}} {{see also|Category:Lakes of Niger|Category:Oases of Niger}}

<gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="165px"> File:Lake Chad from Apollo 7.jpg|Lake Chad as seen from Apollo 7 File:Niger River Center Island.jpg|Mud houses on the center island at Lake Debo, a wide section of the Niger River File:Oasis-Bilma.jpg|The oasis at Bilma, Niger File:Timia Oasis.JPG|The Timia oasis </gallery>

===Wildlife=== {{main|Wildlife of Niger}}

<gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="165px"> File:Elephants bath park w Niger 2006.jpg|African bush elephants photographed in the Niger section of the W National Park complex of protected areas. File:Girafeskoure.jpg|West African giraffes in Kouré, Niger. File:Musophaga violacea-20080321.jpg|A Violet turaco. </gallery>

==Political geography== {{see also|Politics of Niger|Foreign relations of Niger}} Surrounded by seven other countries, Niger has a total of 5,834 km of borders. The longest border is with Nigeria to the south, at 1,608 km. This is followed by Chad to the east (1,196 km), Algeria to the north-northwest (951 km), and Mali to the west (838 km). Niger also has short borders in its far southwest frontier (Burkina Faso at 622 km and Benin at 277 km) and to the north-northeast (Libya at 342 km).<ref name="The World Factbook" />

==See also== {{portal|Geography}} * Departments of Niger * List of national parks of Niger * Outline of Niger * Regions of Niger

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading== *L. Herrmann, K. Stahr and K. Vennemann. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120215081528/https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/~atlas308/startpages/page2/english/content/title_en.htm Atlas of Natural and Agronomic Resources of Niger and Benin], "Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft" (German Research Foundation), the University of Hohenheim. (No date). Retrieved 2008-02-22.

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography Of Niger}} Category:Geography of Niger