It is located in the western part of the African continent, on the banks of the river of the same name, the name of which translates as “Great River”. Approximately 80% of the country's territory is occupied by the majestic Sahara Desert. Meanwhile, Niger is the largest state in West Africa, covering an area of over one million, two hundred and fifty thousand square kilometers. Maximum height of the plains, which cover a significant part of the territory of the republic, is no more than 500 meters above sea level. The highest mountain peak is Bagezan, 1900 meters high.
The east of the country is covered by the Tenere desert, with rare grass and bushes in its southern part, and in the west, river beds predominate, abundantly filled with water during the rainy season. In the area of the Air plateau there are moving sand dunes, and a little to the west there are plains, the basis of which is clay, so this area is actively used by nomads grazing cattle. The southwestern region of Niger is the most vibrant and colorful, as well as rich in wildlife. Cotton trees ("bombaxes"), mangoes, papaya and many palm trees grow in these places. Giraffes, cheetahs, gazelles, lions, and antelopes live here. On the coast of Lake Chad you can often find herds of elephants that regularly visit the local waters in search of life-giving moisture. Birds, insects and reptiles are also widely represented in Niger.
Despite the huge reserves of uranium, oil and gas deposits, as well as other natural resources, the republic has for many years been considered one of the poorest countries on the planet. One of the main reasons is poorly developed infrastructure and high levels of corruption at the top of government. Moreover, like any agricultural country, Niger largely depends on weather conditions and quality land plots. Meanwhile, only three percent of the local land area is suitable for agriculture, and given the climatic conditions, with minimal rainfall throughout the year and long dry periods, this industry can hardly be called promising for the state economy.
However, sugarcane, sorghum, cotton, peanuts, cassava and other crops are grown in Niger. The fishing industry is developing quite well. At the moment, over 65% of the indigenous population in the republic live below the poverty line. One of the highest infant mortality rates on the planet, traditional African problems with medical care and healthcare, rampant crime and the absolute social defenselessness of citizens periodically result in serious armed conflicts, ending the same in all cases.
The capital of Niger is the city Niamey, located on the banks of the Niger River. Today, about one million people live here. Moreover, in the 60s of the last century, this number was only 30 thousand. Approximately 90% of the townspeople belong to the Muslim religion, while almost all residents represent various African nationalities. There are very few Europeans and people from other continents in Niamey. In addition to the fact that the city is considered the most important transport hub for the entire country, there are several enterprises focused on light industry, as well as factories for the production of silver and gold products. Among the most interesting attractions are the Grand Mosque, symbolizing the religious status of the capital, and the building of the national museum, where visitors are invited to get acquainted with the history, culture and traditions of Niger, as well as learn a lot of interesting things about the times of the prehistoric period. The architectural appearance of the city is similar to the settlements of ancient Judea. Low adobe houses form residential areas, and large massive buildings, in a modern manner, belong to large manufacturing or financial companies. All buildings are surrounded by the foliage of evergreen trees, which give the simple urban landscapes a bright and colorful hue. The main sports facility here is a large stadium where international competitions are held. various types sports and which is completely filled on days when the Niger national football team plays here.
The republic has an arid equatorial climate. Formally, winter in the country lasts from June to October. At the same time, it rains, which, however, are irregular and periodic. All other months in Niger are dry, and you have to wait for a very long time for saving moisture. The average annual air temperature is +30 degrees. But at night, especially in the desert, the heat gives way to coolness, so much so that sometimes it’s not a sin to wear something warm.
While in Niger, you should be careful about religion and not dress provocatively. In the dark, it is not advisable to go outside the hotel, since at these hours animals that become more active during cool weather pose no less a danger than people, as evidenced by the sounds of the jungle, which are heard especially clearly at night. In addition, before traveling to West Africa, it is recommended to get vaccinated against yellow fever, which is a traditional companion for local residents. A huge number of insects, including the famous Tsetse fly, are also not friendly and hospitable, so for a complete “ammunition” you should grab several more types of ointments and tablets for stomach pain, because Nigerian dishes are as exotic as they are specific. Based on the above, it is worth noting that for avid travelers this country is an excellent opportunity to learn a lot of new things and get to know the mysterious world of Africa in all its diversity.
Details Category: West African countries Published 03/12/2015 17:56 Views: 1426The country periodically faces prolonged droughts, when water levels drop everywhere. groundwater, wells dry up, agriculture and cattle breeding suffer.
Climate This country is due to its continental position, the proximity of the Sahara and the equator. The seasons here are distinguished not by temperature, but by precipitation patterns. There are three seasons: dry cool, dry hot and rainy.
Niger borders Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin, Burkina Faso and Mali. It has no access to the sea.
The country is named after the Niger River flowing through it. Official name – Niger Republic.
State symbols
Flag– is an almost square panel with an aspect ratio of 6:7. The upper orange stripe symbolizes the sands of the Sahara Desert in the north, the central white stripe represents purity and simplicity, and the lower green stripe represents hope, as well as the fertile lands of the south of Niger. The orange circle in the center is a symbol of the sun. The flag was adopted on November 23, 1959 before independence from French West Africa.
Coat of arms– is a silver shield, in the center of which is the sun, in the upper right corner there is an arrow directed upward, crossed by two crossed swords in a belt with the hilts down, in the upper left corner there are three crossed inflorescences of the pearly pinnate, at the base is the head of a zebu. All figures are gold. Under the shield is a silver motto ribbon with the inscription in black letters “Republique du Niger”. The shield is framed by draped national flags, two on each side. Orange symbolizes the Sahara Desert, green is the color of the grassy plains in the south and west, and white is the color of hope. For the state of Niger, this is also a symbol of the Savannah region.
State structure
Form of government- republic.
Head of State- the president.
Incumbent since April 2011 Mahamadou Issoufou
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
The Niger Constitution recognizes traditional chiefs as bearers of customary law.
Capital- Niamey.
Largest cities– Niamey, Zinder, Maradi.
Official language
- French.
Territory– 1,267,000 km².
Administrative division– the capital district of Niamey and 7 regions, which are divided into 36 departments. The departments consist of urban and rural communes.
Population– 17,470,530 people. Average life expectancy: 52 years for men, 54 years for women. The urban population is 16%. More than 90% of the country's population belongs to the Negroid race. The Tuaregs living in the north are of the Mediterranean type of the Caucasian race. The Fulbe are a mixed people. The majority of Niger's population (55.4%) are Hausa, living in the south of the country along the border with Nigeria.
Hausa
Religion– Sunni Islam is dominant (80%). There are Christians, about 7% of the population adhere to local African beliefs.
Currency– CFA franc.
Economy– one of the poorest countries in the world. Has the lowest human development index in the world.
Large reserves of uranium. At the end of the 90s. Oil and gas fields have been discovered. Only 3% of the land is suitable for agriculture. Poor infrastructure, frequent droughts, instability. Natural resources - deposits of uranium, iron ore, phosphorites, coal, tin, tungsten, tantalum, molybdenum, gold, manganese.
Agriculture depends entirely on the amount of precipitation. The main consumer crop is millet. They grow oranges, rice, and sugar cane. Export: uranium concentrates, cotton, live cattle, leather, skins, peanuts. Import: food products, mechanical engineering and chemical industry products, transport equipment, petroleum products, industrial goods.
The construction of railways and access to the sea is the most important task for the development of transport in Niger.
Education– population literacy is about 28% (43% men, 15% women). System school education- according to the French model. Training on French. Although education is required by law for children aged 7 to 15, many do not attend school. Only 30% of children of this age attend primary school and less than 10% attend secondary school.
In 1973, the State University of Niamey was opened. In 1987, the Islamic University opened in Sai.
Sport- the country has been participating in the Olympic Games since 1964. The only medal was received in 1972 by Issaka Dabore, who won bronze in the boxing competition.
Armed forces- consist of ground forces and air forces. Recruited on a selective conscription and contract basis; conscription age from 17 to 21 years, service life 2 years; Only an unmarried citizen of Niger can be a contractor; women can only serve in sanitary units.
Nature
The country is characterized by the process of soil degradation and erosion, which leads to desertification of the land, so the most important task is the struggle for restoration and conservation of soils.
The water base of Niger consists of the Niger River with its tributaries and the closed Lake Chad with the Komadougou-Yobe River. In the rest of the country there are only temporary drains (wadis), which fill only during the short rainy season.
Niger River- the third longest river in Africa. It flows through the country for about 600 km, and it is here that the fertile plain is located, which is the breadbasket of the country. The capital of the state, Niamey, is located on the Niger River; here the river is crossed by one of the few bridges - the Kennedy Bridge.
Lake Chad
The lake with an area of 23 thousand km², located on the borders of Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and the Republic of Chad, has shrunk 26 times and continues to dry up.
Lake Chad is shallow, depth 4-7 m, and in the rainy season 10-11 m. The shores are mostly swampy and overgrown with papyrus; to the northeast the area has the character of a steppe, and only the southern coast is distinguished by rich tropical vegetation.
The lake is home to manatees, hippos, and crocodiles; water and wading birds, as well as fish.
The climate of the country is determined by its continental position, the proximity of the Sahara and the equator.
Dune sea of Erg Bilma
The east harmattan wind, reaching a speed of 10 m/s, often causes dust storms and dusty fog, covering even the southern regions of the country for several days. The rainy season begins in April-May, its peak is in August.
Flora
In the desert and semi-desert zones, vegetation cover is extremely sparse. Date palms grow in oases in the east of the country. In the valleys of the Air plateau, due to the proximity of groundwater, there are tall grasses and trees are more numerous.
Date palms
Savannah flora: various acacias, low-growing wild grasses, wormwood. They are the main food for camels, sheep and goats.
During the rainy season, the savannah is covered with fast-growing grass up to two meters high: bearded grass and elephant grass.
elephant grass
Semi-desert vegetation suffers greatly from grazing and cutting down for fuel. The south of the savannah is better irrigated during the rainy season, so the vegetation here is more abundant: neem trees imported from India, ceiba (cotton tree), baobabs, and shea grow. The flora of the banks of the Niger River is the richest and most diverse. The trees here grow mangoes and papayas with juicy fruits, acacias and palm trees. Bamboo grows in the floodplain of the river.
cotton tree. Its fiber is light, buoyant, elastic, and water resistant. Used for stuffing upholstered furniture, life jackets, circles, soft toys, as well as sound and heat insulating material.
From the seeds, a fatty semi-drying oil is obtained, replacing cottonseed oil, which is used in the production of soap or as fertilizer.
Fauna
The many insects found in Niger bring great harm household - mosquitoes, locusts and termites.
Niger and other rivers and lakes are rich in fish. The reptiles of the savannah are diverse: snakes and lizards, from geckos to large monitor lizards. There are crocodiles in the Niger River.
White-headed vulture
Birds: ostriches, eagles, bald vultures, kites. The southern savanna is home to ducks, geese, waders, herons, cranes, ibises, storks, and marabou. They winter in Niger from October to March. migratory birds from the north, including from Europe.
Cheetah
The desert is home to oryx and addax antelopes; the savannah is home to dama and corin gazelles, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals.
In the southern savanna, the number of mammals has decreased due to human activity. You can still find giraffes, antelopes, wild boars, and lions here.
Two herds of elephants roam near Lake Chad and on the right bank of the Niger River, and hippopotamuses live in the river itself.
Culture
Fine arts and crafts
Surviving rock paintings depict wild animals, people and hunting scenes from the Neolithic era. The oldest of them date back to 9–8 thousand BC. e.
Modern art began to develop after the country gained independence. Famous artists: Boubacar Boureima, Riss Ixa.
Wooden mask. XIX century
Pottery, tanning, blacksmithing, weaving, weaving and jewelry are developed. The jewelry art of the Tuareg and Fulbe, the weaving of the Djerma, as well as the painting of calabashes (vessels made of gourd) of the Hausa people are known. The works of Niger artists and products of artistic craftsmen are presented in the exhibition of the National Museum of Niger. Blacksmiths and gold and silver minters are famous for their skills.
Literature
The emergence of national literature began in the 1950s. It is based on myths, songs, proverbs and fairy tales of local peoples. The first national writer is considered to be Bubu Hama. The works of some Niger writers were published in France.
Music
The music was formed on the basis of the musical art of local peoples. Musical instruments: algaita (oboe), various drums, lutes, rattles, horns and rattles, flutes. Game on musical instruments, songs and dances are closely related to everyday life local peoples.
Theatrical performances of traveling “comedians” using wooden dolls are held on Muslim holidays.
The first national film, “The Wedding,” was filmed in 1962.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Niger
Air and Tenere National Reserve
The reserve is located in the center of the Sahara and is characterized by a variety of landscapes.
Rocky plateau Air
Two-fifths of the reserve's territory is located on the eastern edge of the Air plateau.
The rest of the eastern part of the reserve is in the sandy desert of Tenere. This is a dune sea with dunes up to 300 meters high.
The territory of the reserve (Air plateau) is inhabited by mammals, many species of birds, reptiles and one species of amphibian.
There is virtually no vegetation in the Tenere Desert. Animal world extremely poor. But salt is mined here and transported on camels. You can also cross the desert in jeeps.
The reserve is very attractive for tourists.
Double-V National Park
The first biosphere reserve in Africa. Located in Niger, Benin and Burkina Faso along the Niger River.
More than 350 bird species have been recorded in the park, including birds arriving from Eurasia.
Other attractions of Niger
Niamey
The capital of the state since 1960. At the end of the 19th century. there was a small village of several hundred inhabitants. Niamey's favorable location on cross-trade routes contributed to its growth. More than 90% of the city's population are Muslims.
The most important attraction of the city is Great Mosque.
Big market is also an important landmark of the city. This is one of the best markets in West Africa.
It was completely restored after a fire in the mid-80s. and now represents a picturesque example of architecture, surrounded by fountains in the ancient style.
IN national museum of niger You can see traditional crafts and learn about the development of art. You can buy any work by local craftsmen, especially jewelry or silverware, and get acquainted with the way of life of the Tuareg, Hausa, Djerma, Fulani and Tubu, and their traditional homes.
There is also Tenere tree– it was able to survive in the desert and became a symbol of life for the African people.
Zinder
Former capital of Niger. The city was on the ancient trade route between Agadez and Cano. It is the second largest city in the country. It was one of the richest cities in Africa.
The city is divided into two districts: the Zengu quarter in the northern part of the city, which has a large number of rich old buildings and adobe structures from previous eras, and the picturesque Birnin - an area in the southeast, which is a labyrinth of narrow streets lined with houses with small gardens, beautiful examples of architecture Hausa. Between them is the commercial center of the city.
The Great Mosque, like the Sultan's Palace, was built in the mid-19th century. The city has unusual architecture. In the oldest quarter of Birni there are square houses with geometric patterns and paintings.
Story
In the VIII-VI millennium BC. e. existed in Niger Kiffian culture. At this time, the climate in the Sahara was humid. In 2000, human remains of this culture were discovered in the Gobero area in the Tenere desert region. The Kiffians were hunters and gatherers. In the area where they lived, bones of large animals typical of the savannah were found, suggesting that they lived on the shores of a lake that existed at that time. The Kiffians were tall, more than 1 m 80 cm tall.
The Kiffian culture disappeared around 6000 BC. e., when a long drought occurred in the Sahara. About 1,500 years after the disappearance of the Kiffian culture, when the climate in the Sahara became humid again, its habitat was colonized by Tenerian culture, the carriers of which belonged to a different anthropological type: the Mediterranean subrace of the Caucasian race. The Tenerian culture disappears without a trace after the drying up of the Sahara.
From the 7th century The Niger River valley was part of the Songhai Principality. By the end of the 15th century. it became a kingdom. In 1591, the Songhai state was conquered by the army of the Sultan of Morocco, but the southern regions, located on the territory of modern Niger, retained their independence. Here the Principality of Dendi arose, led by Askim Nukha. Subsequently, the Principality of Dendi split into several small principalities. In the 18th century Most of Niger's territory came under the rule of the Tuaregs (nomadic tribes). They founded the Sultanate of Agadez. The Tuareg did not have a centralized government. The south of present-day Niger was inhabited by settled agricultural peoples.
Colonial period
The first European in Niger was the Scot Mungo Park. He surveyed the Niger River in 1805-1806.
Through the territory of Niger in the XV-XVIII centuries. caravan trade routes passed
At the Berlin Conference in 1884, Niger was included in the French sphere of influence. In 1897, the French sent a mission from Captain Casamaju to Zinder, the capital of the Damagaram Sultanate. He was killed at the court of the Sultan, who feared French influence. To punish the Damagaramites, a military expedition was equipped, which went down in the history of Niger with its cruelty and bloodiness: thousands of local residents were killed, many Hausan villages were burned.
In 1900, the French founded the "military territory of Zinder". In 1905-1906 Muslim preachers and local sultans tried to provide armed resistance to the French.
The French colonialists introduced the cultivation of various crops into Niger, intensively developed the road network and recruited local residents to work in industrial enterprises in the coastal colonies of French West Africa.
In 1946, Niger received the status of an overseas territory within the French Union. An elected local government body was created. Places in it were occupied mainly by the leaders of local tribes.
In 1958, Niger became an autonomous republic of the French Community, and in 1960 it gained independence. Becomes the first president of the country.
Several years of severe drought (1968-1973) devastated the country.
In 1974, a military coup took place, as a result of which Amani Diori was overthrown.
In 1989, a new constitution was adopted, under which Niger returns to civilian rule, but the country maintains a one-party system. Only after a wave of strikes did President Seibu introduce a multi-party system. after a wave of strikes and demonstrations.
In January 1996, a second military coup was carried out in the country led by Colonel Ibrahim Bare Mainassara, who won the elections that same year. The elections were held with violations: all other candidates were put under house arrest. Mainassara was criticized for his repressive actions, and several attempts were made on his life. And in 1999, Mainassara’s bodyguards kill him. The presidential power is inherited by Major Dauda Malam Vanke. In 1999 he was elected president, and in 2004 he was elected for a second term.
In August 2009, Tandja Mamadou initiated a referendum in which amendments to the constitution were adopted, removing restrictions on the number of terms of re-election of the head of state and granting him additional powers. Dissatisfaction with the president was growing in the country. On February 18, 2010, the Niger military carried out coup d'etat. President Mamadou Tandja was captured and taken to one of the barracks. Major Salu Djibo was declared the head of a military junta that would organize legitimate presidential elections.
Mahamadou Issoufou became the new president of Niger. On April 7, the inauguration took place, Salu Djibo transferred power to the legally elected president.
In May 2011, Niger authorities released former President Mamadou Tanja from prison. In July 2011, a coup was attempted again.
Despite the fact that when communicating with people of a different race, well-mannered people use correct terms, there are still enough: Muscovites, Katsaps, crests, Bulbashes, etc. Although in their “offensiveness” they cannot be compared with such a well-known word, Like "Nigers." Where did this word come from? Why does it offend representatives so much? And doesn’t it have other meanings? Few people know the answers to these questions. Let's try to understand the topic.
Why can black people call blacks?
For quite some time now, African Americans have negatively perceived even the neutral word “negro,” believing that in fact the lexical unit has logical roots. Translated from Spanish, “negro” means “black color”. From time immemorial, people of the Negroid race were called this way. In journalism, representatives of the capoid race - Bushmen and Hottentots - fell under this definition. And in Russia this term is used to describe dark-skinned mulattoes.
Who are niggas and how did the term itself develop?
It is not surprising that such a convenient term is used in scientific vocabulary and many abbreviations. The word “negro” is the only possible designation for the color black, so the manifestation of political correctness here seems somewhat absurd. In the Netherlands and Flanders, the Dutch word "neger" may be criticized, but is not officially considered politically incorrect. But we note that in the dictionaries there is a note that the term is perceived by some people as offensive.
In European languages in the 17th century, in the wake of colonialism, words with similar sounds appeared. Thus, the term “niger” appeared in Latin. How to determine who the nigers are, and what is bad in this word? The word “niger” has the same meaning, it is just an emphasis on the black skin color, so there is nothing offensive here. But after the collapse of colonialism in the second half of the 20th century, the official use of the term sharply decreased, and it became mainly vulgar speech. Note that in the USA the term was replaced by the word “black”, and in France by “african”. Термины «nigger», «nigga» остались в англоязычном просторечном общении и иронично употребляются самими афроамериканцами, а из уст европейцев считаются оскорблением и проявлением расизма.
Why are black people treated with caution in some countries?
In Russia the situation is somewhat different, because even today representatives of the Negroid race are considered exotic, despite the fact that a stream of African students has poured here since the middle of the last century. Perhaps outdated views are explained by too deeply rooted traditions, negative perception mixed marriages and denial of everything unusual. Касательно нашей основной темы отметим, что основная часть темнокожего населения произошла из испано- или португалоязычных стран, а именно, Кубы, Анголы и Мозамбика, где слово «негр» или «ниггер» не является оскорбительным. In the Russian language, the concept of “Nigers” also does not have a negative linguistic coloring, which cannot be said about the United States, where it is used as an offensive name of the black.
In general, the meaning of a word depends on the emotional connotation and context of the phrase. The times of slavery are still fresh in the memory of the black population, when the word “nigers” implied “slaves”. Although this fact is not accurate, because representatives of all nationalities, with any skin color, fell into slavery. Thus, there is no reliable information about who the Nigers are and who were called such a word. However, dark-skinned inhabitants of the planet are striving to eliminate this term, associating him with renegades and outcasts of society. Gradually, the practice of refusing to use offensive nicknames is becoming more widespread, and in the United States, representatives of the Negroid race are honorably called African-Americans. IN Latin America They also prefer to replace the term "niger". The meaning of the word here does not offend the population, however, when communicating with residents of other countries, another concept is used - “prieto”. Under the influence of Spanish, the Brazilian media supports the trend of using the term "negro".
Recently, the designation of black people as Negro Africans has been increasingly used. This is especially observed in the Romance-speaking countries of the Mediterranean basin, which are in close contact with North African countries, where there is a very high density of Arab, Berber and black populations. This term makes it possible to identify an exclusively black element from a mixed population.
What does the law say?
Not so long ago, the theme was considered by the federal court on the use of the word “niger” by one African American regarding another in order to express love and gratitude. The court ruled that the use of such an expression carries a negative connotation, regardless of the context. The judges tried to determine who the niggas were and whether the leader was obliged recruitment agency compensate his black employee for calling her that term. The case was decided in favor of the injured side, but about the use of the word "nigers" were established when the whites use it, this is an insult, but blacks can be malicious to push each other.
In conclusion, I would like to note that niger is a truly polysemantic word, which, in addition to skin color and nationality, also names a deep river, the third largest after the Nile and the Congo. It is also a state in West Africa. Therefore, remember, having heard the expression “niger”: the meaning of the word can be different, and to understand the phrase, you should focus on the context.
Niger on the map of Africa
(all pictures are clickable)
Geographical position
Niger is a state in West Africa. It borders Algeria, Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin and Burkina Faso; has no access to the sea. Most of the country's territory is located on plains, the northern regions are occupied by the high rocky plateaus of the Sahara Desert. Niger is the largest country in this region, with an area of about 1.3 million km².
The climate is tropical. On larger territory the country receives almost no precipitation, a small amount falls only in the extreme southwestern regions, but even here their annual norm does not exceed 100 mm, and only in the areas bordering Benin and Burkina Faso, where the climate changes to subequatorial, does up to 800 mm fall precipitation per year. The climate of Niger is characterized by sharp daily temperature fluctuations: during the day the average temperature is +30-40 ° C, and at night, especially in the desert, frosts are possible.
Flora and fauna
The flora of Niger is represented by semi-desert type vegetation. Date palms are common in oases.
Among the animals in the sands of the Sahara you can only find jerboas, sand foxes and antelopes. Giraffes, elephants, antelopes and warthogs are found in the southern regions.
State structure
Niger map
But state structure Niger is a presidential republic. The legislative body is parliament. Geographically, the country is divided into 8 departments and the capital district. The local currency is the CFA franc. The capital is the city of Niamey.
Population
The population is about 18 million people. These are mainly representatives various peoples language groups Niger-Congo and Songhai, as well as the Tuareg Berber tribes living in the north of the state. The official language is French; Songhai, Bantu, etc. are used in everyday communication. Up to 80% of believers are Muslims, the rest remain committed to ancient traditional beliefs.
Economy
Niger is an agricultural state with a predominant agricultural sector. Peanuts, sugar cane, cotton, millet, sorghum, and cassava are grown here. Animal husbandry is nomadic. The mining industry is developing (uranium ores and cassiterite). Main export items: uranium concentrate, live cattle, peanuts.
Until the middle of the 19th century. the lands of Niger were inaccessible to Europeans, but by the beginning of the 20th century. The territories of the modern country became part of French West Africa. The Independent Republic of Niger was formed in 1960 after French West Africa gained independence and its disintegration into a number of separate states.
Attractions
Currently, the country regularly experiences uprisings of Tuareg tribes and armed conflicts between government troops and residents of the northern regions. Therefore, although there are no restrictions on movement, visiting these areas may not be safe.
The city of Zinder is known for its unusual architecture; there you can find many monuments of Muslim culture, for example mosques. The infrastructure is quite well developed when compared with other cities. In the oldest quarter of Birni there are square houses with geometric patterns and paintings painted on the walls. There is the Zengu quarter, inhabited mainly by the Hausa tribe, and the New Town, which is the economic center of Zinder.
Niger photo
The content of the article
NIGER, Republic of Niger. State in West Africa. The capital is Niamey (700 thousand people - 2002). Territory – 1.267 million square meters. km. Administrative division: 7 departments and the capital municipal district. Population – 12.5 million people. (2005, evaluation). The official language is French. Religion – Islam, traditional African beliefs and Christianity. Currency unit– CFA franc. National holiday - Day of the Proclamation of the Republic (1958), December 18. Niger has been a member of the UN since 1960, the Organization of African Unity (OAU) since 1963, and since 2002 its successor - the African Union (AU), the Non-Aligned Movement, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since 1975, the Common Organization of Afro-Mauritian (OCAM) since 1965, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the Economic and Monetary Union of West African States (EUMA) since 1994 and the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF).
Geographical location and boundaries.
Inland state. It borders on the south with Nigeria, on the southwest on Benin and Burkina Faso, on the west on Mali, on the north on Algeria and Libya, and on the east on Chad.
Nature.
The territory of Niger is located within the ancient African platform. Basement rocks - granites, gneisses and crystalline schists - come to the surface in the north - in the Air massif, in the southwest - on the coast of the Niger River and in the south - between the cities of Zinder and Gure. Air divides the country into western and eastern parts. Its cool steep slopes stand out sharply against the background of the surrounding plateaus. The massif is composed of ancient crystalline rocks, intruded by volcanic intrusions. Aira contains rich deposits of uranium ores in the Arlit and Imuraren areas, as well as coal deposits in Anu Araren.
In the west and east of the country, the foundation is covered by a thick layer of sedimentary rocks. Thick oil-bearing layers have been discovered here, which are being developed in the Tin-Tumma area. On the right bank of the Niger River, industrial deposits of iron ore were discovered near the city of Sai and phosphorites near Tapoa and Tahua. Deposits of gypsum and tin have also been discovered.
The Air massif has a general slope towards the west, where the heights reach only 700–800 m. There are many deep valleys with dry river beds (locally called “kori”), which occasionally fill with water during rains. In the central part of the massif, average heights reach 1300–1700 m. The highest points of the country are located here - Tamgak (1988) and Idukaln-Tages (2022 m).
The eastern part of Aira drops steeply towards the vast Tenere desert, where mobile dunes predominate, forming dune ridges and massifs.
In the north of Niger there are the Mangeni and Djado plateaus, dissected by deep canyons. The average heights of the plateau are 800–900 m (highest point 1054 m on the Mangeni plateau).
The southern regions of the country are dominated by leveled plateaus composed of sandstones, sands and loams with isolated outcrops of crystalline rocks. Average heights are 200–500 m. The monotony of the relief is broken by the highly dissected Adar-Duchi plateau southeast of Tahoua and the picturesque granite hills in the vicinity of Zinder.
Niger is located in one of the hottest regions globe. The average annual temperature here is 27–29° C. Evaporation reaches 2000–3000 mm, while the annual precipitation almost never exceeds 600 mm.
The vast northern regions located in the Sahara Desert are characterized by a tropical desert climate with very dry air, high daytime temperatures and sharp daily temperature fluctuations (more than 20°). The southern regions included in the Sahel zone are characterized by a variable humid tropical climate with one rainy season lasting from two to four months. Here, too, there are large differences in day and night temperatures, and the midday heat can reach 40° C.
If in the Sahara generally less than 100 mm of precipitation falls per year and there are areas where there is no rain at all for several years, then in the Sahel region the average annual precipitation in the north does not exceed 300 mm, and in the south, at the latitude of Tahoua and Niamey, sometimes it increases to 400–600 mm.
In the extreme southwest of Niger, near the border with the Republic of Benin, the climate is more humid. The average annual precipitation exceeds 800 mm, and the rainy season lasts 5–7 months.
The change of seasons and the amount of precipitation depend on the wind regime. In April - June, a hot, dry wind prevails - harmattan, blowing from the Sahara. In July–August it is replaced by the southwest monsoon, bringing more humid air from the Atlantic Ocean.
Frequent droughts cause great damage agriculture Niger. In 1968–1974, a severe drought broke out throughout the country, accompanied by the death of crops and livestock.
The country's largest river, the Niger, is fed by rainfall that falls in its upper reaches. Floods in the Niamey area occur in late January – early February. To the south, near the city of Gaya, there are two floods - in February and September-October. The Niger Valley is the most important agricultural region of the country, in which the river's waters are widely used for irrigation.
Niger owns part of the waters of Lake Chad, which often changes the contours of its shores and water level. Depths range from 1 to 4 m depending on the amount of precipitation and the volume of river flow. The highest level occurs in January, the lowest in July. The lake is rich in fish, but its shores, heavily overgrown with grasses and bushes, are marshy and difficult to access.
The main part of Niger's territory is located in the desert zone and only 1/4 is in the savannah zone. In the north, in the Tenere desert and on the Air, Djado and other plateaus, only after the rains does a bright carpet of ephemeral herbaceous plants appear, which lasts for several weeks and then dries out. Palm trees grow in the oases - date and doum.
The savannas of the Sahel are dominated by grasses and other grasses, as well as thorny shrubs and rare trees. The natural vegetation here is heavily damaged by livestock grazing.
As you move south, more trees are found in the savannas, especially acacias with umbrella crowns. Baobabs and palm trees (dum, etc.) also grow, and bearded grass and elephant grass predominate among the grasses. In the extreme southwest, woody vegetation begins to dominate, with large trees with lush green crowns appearing: bombax (cotton tree), mangoes with bright orange fruits, papayas and palms. Bamboo grows along the rivers.
Numerous rodents, fennec foxes, oryx and addax antelopes are found in the deserts of Niger. The vast savannas are home to graceful gazelles and many predators (cheetah, hyena, jackal). The world of birds is rich: there are ostriches, eagles, bald vultures, and kites.
In the southern savannah, some of the large mammals that remain are giraffes, antelopes and wild boars, and lions are among the predators. Large herds of elephants are found on the right bank of the Niger and near Lake Chad. The rivers are home to hippopotamuses and crocodiles. Birds are especially numerous: ducks, geese, waders, herons, cranes, ibises, storks, black marabou. Among them there are many migratory species. Lots of insects, especially termites and locusts.
Nature reserves have been created in the area of the Air mountain plateau and the Tener desert.
Population.
One of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa, the average population density is 9.1 people. per 1 sq. km (2002). Average annual population growth is 3.5%. Niger is one of the countries with a high birth rate (48.3 per 1000 people), mortality is 21.33 per 1000 people. The infant mortality rate (278 per 1,000 births) is one of the highest in the world. The average age of the population is 16.25 years. 47.3% of the population are children under 14 years of age. Residents over 65 years of age – 2.1%. Life expectancy is 42.13 years (men – 42.46, women – 41.8). (All indicators are given in estimates for 2005).
Niger is a multi-ethnic state. The country's African population belongs to more than 20 ethnic groups. The most numerous peoples are: Hausa (56%), Derma (22%), Fulbe (8.5%), Tuareg (8%) and Kanuri (4.3%). The country is also home to Arabs, French (about 1,200 people) and other peoples. The most common local languages are Hausa, Djerma, Fulfulde, Kanuri and Tamashek.
The rural population is approx. 80%, urban – approx. 20% (2002). Large cities - Zinder (185.1 thousand people), Maradi (172.9 thousand people) and Tahoua (87.7 thousand people) - 2001.
There is labor migration of Nigerians to Benin, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Togo.
Religions.
95% of the population are Muslims (they profess Sunni Islam), 4.5% are adherents of traditional African beliefs (animalism, fetishism, cult of ancestors, forces of nature, etc.), 0.5% are Christians (the vast majority are Catholics) - 2004. The spread of Islam began in the 9th–11th centuries. n. e. The Sufi order (tariqa) Tijaniyya enjoys especially great influence among Muslims. The tariqats of Senusiyya and Hamaliyya are also influential.
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
State structure.
Niger is a presidential republic. There is a constitution in force, approved by a referendum on July 18, 1999 and which came into force on August 9, 1999. The head of state is the president, who is elected by universal direct and secret ballot for a 5-year term. Legislative power is exercised by a unicameral parliament (National Assembly), which consists of 113 deputies elected on the basis of universal direct and secret suffrage. His term of office is 5 years.
The President is Tandja Mamadou. Elected on December 4, 2004. Previously elected to this post on November 24, 1999.
The national flag is a rectangular panel consisting of three horizontal stripes of equal width of orange (top), white and green. In the center of the white stripe there is an image of a small disk orange color, which symbolizes the sun.
Administrative device.
The country is divided into 7 departments and the capital municipal district.
Judicial system.
Based on French civil law, the rules of Sharia and customary law also apply. There are Supreme, High, Courts of Appeal and the State Security Court.
Armed forces and defense.
National armed forces created in August 1961. In 2002 they numbered 5.3 thousand people. (army - 5.2 thousand people, air force - 100 people). Paramilitary forces numbering 5.4 thousand people. consist of the gendarmerie (1.4 thousand people), the Republican Guard (2.5 thousand people) and the police (1.5 thousand people). Military service lasts two years. Defense spending is $33.3 million (1.1% of GDP) – 2004.
Foreign policy.
It is based on the policy of non-alignment. The main foreign policy partners are France and Nigeria. Supporting the concept of strengthening security in the Sahara-Sahel region, Niger regularly participates in meetings on top level with the remaining Saharo-Sahelian states - Libya, Burkina Faso and Mali. Good neighborly relations with Algeria are developing. Interstate relations with Cote d'Ivoire are complicated due to the problem of the influx of refugees from this country.
Diplomatic relations between the USSR and Niger were established on February 17, 1972. Bilateral cooperation was carried out mainly in the field of healthcare and training of national personnel for Niger (until 2003, 440 Nigeriens were educated at universities in the USSR/Russia). In December 1991, the Russian Federation was recognized as the legal successor Soviet Union. Consultations are regularly held between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Niger and the Russian Federation. Russian doctors work in the country under private contracts.
Political organizations.
The country has a multi-party system (about 30 registered political parties). The most influential of them:
– « National Movement for Development Society - Nassar», NDOR – Nassar(Movement national pour une société de développement - Nassara, MNSD - Nassara), Chairman - Hamidou Sekou, General. Sec. – Hama Amadou. Ruling party, main August 2, 1988. Until 1991, it was called the “National Movement for a Development Society”;
– « Democratic and Social Convention», DSK(Convention démocratique et sociale, CDS), chairman. – Usmane Mahamane Party created In 1991;
– « Niger Party for Democracy and Socialism», NPDS(Parti nigérien pour la démocratie et le socialisme, PNDS), gene. Sec – Mahamadou Issoufou;
– « Niger Social Democratic Party», NSDP(Parti social-démocrate nigérien, PSDN), leader – Labo Issaka (Issaka Labo);
– « Niger Alliance for Democracy and social progress ", (Alliance nigérienne pour la démocratie et le atriots social, ANDP), leader - Moumouni Djermakoye. Basic Party In 1990;
– « United for Democracy and Progress», EDP(Rassemblement pour la démocratie et le atriots, RDP), chairman. – Algabid Hamid, gen. Sec. – Labi Mahamane Souley Labi;
– « Party for National Union and Development», PNSR(Parti pour l "unité nationale et le développement, PUND), leader. - Akoli Daouel;
– « Social Democratic Association», FROM TO(Rassemblement social démocratique, RSD), chairman. – Chef Amadou Cheiffou;
– « Union of Democratic and Progressive Patriots», SDPP(Union des atriots démocratiques et progressistes, UPDP), chairman. – André Salifou.
Trade union associations.
"Association of Trade Unions of Workers of Niger", OPTN (Union des Syndicats des Travailleurs du Niger, USTN). Created in 1960, it unites 28 thousand members. The General Secretary is Mahamane Mansour.
ECONOMY
Niger is an agricultural country. It ranks second (after Sierra Leone) in the world in terms of poverty levels. According to the UN, approx. 3.5 million people suffer from hunger. 75% of the population has an annual income of $365, with 35% living below the poverty level. 40% of the population (mostly in rural areas) suffers from chronic malnutrition.
The country's economy is heavily dependent on foreign aid. The main financial donors are France, the IMF, and Japan (in 1997 it provided Niger with gratuitous assistance in the amount of 300 million yen for the development of the country's agricultural sector). Niger gets financial assistance IMF under the HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) program, provided to the poorest countries with high external debt. In April 2004, the IMF wrote off Niger's debt in the amount of $663.1 million. In February 2005, the Fund decided to provide Niger with a loan in the amount of $10 million to implement the program economic development, calculated until 2008. At the same time, the IMF put forward a demand to the Niger government to use the funds received to fight poverty and ensure annual GDP growth of 4%. In 2004, GDP was $9.7 billion, and its growth was 3.5%.
Labor resources.
The economically active population is 5.17 million people. (2001, evaluation).
Agriculture.
The share of the agricultural sector in GDP is 39% (2001), it employs 85% of the population (2005 estimate). 3.54% of land is cultivated (2001). Agricultural production depends almost entirely on the amount of rainfall. The annual growth in production in the agricultural sector is approx. 2%.The main export crops are peanuts and vegetables. Oranges, bananas, legumes, corn, millet, rice, sugar cane, sorghum, cotton and tobacco are also grown. Nomadic livestock farming has been developed (breeding camels, horses, cattle, donkeys, sheep and goats). Fish catch in 2000 amounted to 16.27 thousand tons.
Industry.
Share in GDP – 17% (2001). The main industries are mining and manufacturing. Niger ranks third (after Canada and Australia) in the world in uranium production. Its share in the country's exports is constantly declining; in 2002 it was 32% (in 1990 – 60%). Coal and gold mining is also carried out. There are enterprises for processing agricultural products, including the production of peanut butter, flour and beer. There are small textile and leather factories.
International trade.
The volume of imports significantly exceeds the volume of exports: in 2002, imports (in US dollars) amounted to 400 million, and exports - 280 million. The bulk of imports are grain, food products, cars and oil. Main import partners: France (17.4%), Ivory Coast (11.3%), Italy (8.4%), Nigeria (7.3%), Germany (6.5%), USA (5 .5%) and China (4.8%) - 2004. The main export products are uranium ore, live cattle, animal products and vegetables. The main export partners are France (47.1%, is the main importer of Nigerian uranium), Nigeria (22.7%), Japan (8.6%) and USA (5.4%) - 2004.
Energy.
Electricity consumption is increasing due to uranium mining. Electricity production partially meets domestic needs. Its production in 2002 amounted to 266.2 million kilowatt-hours, and imports (from Nigeria) amounted to 80 million kilowatt-hours. Electricity is generated at thermal power plants running on diesel fuel.
Transport.
The transport network is not developed. Railways No. The total length of highways is 14 thousand km, including 3.62 thousand km with hard surface (2000, estimate). Navigation along the Niger River has been established; the length of the waterways is 300 km. There are 27 airports and runways (9 of them have hard surfaces) - 2004. International airports are located in the cities of Niamey and Agadez.
Finance and credit.
The monetary unit is the CFA franc (XOF), consisting of 100 centimes. In December 2004, the national currency exchange rate was: 1 USD = 528.3 XOF.
Tourism.
Developed since the 1960s. Foreign tourists are attracted by the diversity of natural landscapes, the opportunity to travel on pirogues along the Niger River, as well as the richness and originality of the culture of local peoples. In 1995, the country was visited by 66.2 thousand tourists from the USA, European countries (mainly from France) and Africa. The further development of the tourism industry was negatively affected by the political instability of the middle. 1990s In 1999, 42.4 thousand foreign tourists arrived. Income from tourism amounted to 24 million US dollars (in 1997 – 18 million US dollars).
Sights: National Museum in the capital, oases of the Aira mountain plateau, adobe mosque in Agadez (16th century), rock paintings in the Jado and Mammanete mountains (more than 5 thousand images).
SOCIETY AND CULTURE
Education.
By the time of independence, 99% of the country's population was illiterate. Eight years of education is officially compulsory. Elementary education(6 years) children receive at the age of 7–13 years. Secondary (7 years) begins at the age of 13 and takes place in two stages - 4 and 3 years. Primary school Less than 25% of children of the corresponding age attend regularly, and the average is approx. 5%. (2005). There are Koranic Islamic schools, including private ones. Since 1974, increased attention has been paid to the development of Islamic education. The higher education system includes the University named after. Abdou Moumouni Diop (Niamey, opened in 1973, is under state control), the Islamic University of West Africa (Sai, opened in 1987) and the College of Management. In 2002, at 8 faculties and departments of the University. A. Diop (current name since 1999), 279 teachers worked and 5.85 thousand students studied. Niger has extremely low literacy rates - 17.6% (25.8% men and 9.7% women) - 2003.
Healthcare.
The AIDS incidence rate is 1.2% (2003). In 2003, there were 70 thousand people with AIDS and HIV-infected people, 4.8 thousand people died. In the UN report on the humanitarian development of the planet in 2001, Niger was ranked 174th.
Architecture.
In the south and east of the country traditional dwellings among the peoples engaged in agriculture (Hausa, Djerma, Songhai), they are round in plan adobe or straw huts. Their roof is made of straw and has a conical shape. Near the dwelling, granaries covered with a thatched roof are built - clay vessels reaching up to 3 m in height. The dwellings of nomadic peoples (Tuaregs and Fulani) are round or rectangular tents and tents made of mats, covered with leather.
In modern cities, houses are built from brick and reinforced concrete structures.
Fine arts and crafts.
On the territory of the Air and Djado mountain ranges, rock paintings (schematic and naturalistic images of wild animals, people, and hunting scenes) from the Neolithic era have been preserved. The most ancient of them date back to 9–8 millennia BC. e. In 1985, in the village of Bura (100 km from the capital), two terracotta figurines known as the “Riders of Bura” were found. According to experts, the value of the figurines lies in the fact that their earlier dating somewhat changes the generally accepted point of view on the process of settling the African continent.
Modern fine art began to develop after the country gained independence. Artists: Boubacar Boureima, Riess Ixa.
Among the crafts and arts, pottery, tanning, blacksmithing, weaving, weaving and jewelry are developed. Outside Niger, the jewelry art of the Tuareg and Fulani, Djerma weaving, as well as the painting of calabashes (vessels made of gourd) of the Hausa people are known. The works of Niger artists and products of craftsmen are widely represented in the exhibition of the National Museum of Niger (Niamey, founded in 1959).
The problem of smuggling archaeological finds from Niger (primarily to France) is acute.
Literature.
The emergence of national literature began in the 1950s. It is based on the rich traditions of oral creativity (myths, songs, proverbs and fairy tales) of local peoples. Bubu Hama is considered the first most important national writer. Other famous writers and playwrights are Amadou Ousman, Boureima Ada, Diado Amadou, Ide Umaru. Poets – Abdoulaye Mamani, Bube Zume, Maman Garba. The works of some Niger writers were published in France.
Music and theater.
National music has long traditions. It was formed on the basis of the musical art of local peoples and is closely related to the activities of griots (the general name for professional storytellers and musicians-singers in West Africa). Rich musical instruments - algaita (oboe), various drums (kalangu, karangazhi, harre, ettebel), lutes (gote, inzag, kuntigi, molo), rattles (jan-jama, zari), horns and rattles (dombo, kuariya) and flutes (saysey, sareua, tasinsak). Playing musical instruments, singing and dancing are closely related to the daily life of local peoples. The National Ensemble of Niger toured the USSR in 1981. In February 2004, several folk groups and musical groups from Niger took part in the 1st International Festival of Music of Nomadic Peoples, which was held in Nouakchott (Mauritania). Famous musicians – Maman Garba, Dan Gurmu (griot).
Theatrical performances of traveling “comedians” using wooden dolls were often held on Muslim holidays. Amateur theater groups were created under educational institutions and cultural centers in the 1950s. Playwrights - Mahaman Dandobi, Damagaram A. Salifu, Bubu Khama.
Cinema.
Niger is one of the first states on the African continent where national cinema appeared. The first film, “The Wedding,” was shot by director Mustafa Alassan in 1962. Umar Ganda made a great contribution to the development of national cinema. Other film directors are Moussa Alzouma, Moustapha Diop, Dzingare Maiga, Abdul Kerim Seini. The country's filmmakers were regular participants in the Moscow and Tashkent film festivals; in 1980, Niger Cinema Week was held in Moscow.
Press, radio broadcasting, television and Internet.
Published in French: the daily government newspaper "Le Sahel", the government newsletter "Journal Officiel de la République du Niger - "Official Newspaper of the Republic of Niger", published every two weeks) , the independent weekly newspaper Le Républicain (The Republican) and the quarterly magazine Nigerama. The national news agency "Nigerian Press Agency" (Agence Nigérienne de Presse, ANP) has been operating since 1987. The state broadcasting service has been operating since 1958. Regular radio broadcasts are conducted in French and Arabic, as well as in local languages - Jerma, Gurmanche, Kanuri, Tamashek, Fulfulde and Hausa. Television began operating on April 15, 1979, broadcasting programs daily. In 2002 there were 15 thousand Internet users.
STORY
Pre-colonial and colonial periods of development.
Before the establishment of French power at the end of the 19th century. Niger's history has included tribal migrations, conflicts between newcomers and indigenous populations, the rise and fall of polities and rivalries among them. In the 11th century Tuaregs, nomadic pastoralists of Berber origin who came from North Africa, settled in the area of the Air plateau. They assimilated part of the Hausa farmers who then lived in the most elevated areas of the plateau, and pushed the rest south to the territory located between the modern cities of Tahoua and Zinder. Since the 14th century. The Hausa created their own city-states in southern Niger. The confederation formed by the Tuareg (Sultanate of Air) was rather amorphous, but one of its rulers, Yusuf, founded the city of Agadez, which in 1430 became the capital of Air (hence the name “Sultanate of Agadez”). In the 16th century The army of the Songhai state (centered in Gao) captured large areas of western and central Niger, including the Sultanate of Agadez. Agadez flourished due to the fact that caravan routes crossed there, connecting the capital of Songhai, the city of Gao on the Niger River, with Tripolitania and Egypt.
After the conquest of Songhai by Moroccan troops in 1591, control over part of the Air region and Hausa lands in the southeast, including Zinder, was established by the Bornu state with its capital at Ngazargamu (in the territory of modern Nigeria). Other Hausa, who created the city-states of Gobir, Katsina and Daura and withstood the onslaught of the Songhai and Kebbi states, managed to maintain independence, although very fragile. Frequent civil strife and clashes with other Hausan states did not prevent these city-states from flourishing thanks to developed agriculture and crafts, as well as participation in trans-Saharan trade.
At the beginning of the 17th century. Many Jerma migrants from the Songhai state settled east of the Niger River and became settled farmers. At the same time, a new wave of Tuaregs appeared on the territory of Niger, moving south towards the Niger River. Other Tuareg groups re-established themselves in the 18th century. their independence and moved west to raid the lands former state Songhai. At the beginning of the 19th century. The Hausan lands and western Bornu became the scene of a holy war of jihad, led by the Muslim theologian and reformer Osman dan Fodio, a Fulani by ethnicity. He managed to establish Fulani power in most of Northern Nigeria and in the southern regions of Niger. The state of Bornu, revived under the leadership of the Muslim preacher and commander al-Kanemi, repelled the onslaught of the Fulbe and controlled the southeastern part of Niger until the appearance there at the end of the 19th century. Sudanese conqueror Rabbah.
When in the 19th century. the first European travelers appeared in Niger, they found this region in a state of complete anarchy and saw decaying state entities and small isolated settlements whose inhabitants could not defend themselves from aggressive, warlike neighbors. In 1806, the Scottish traveler Mungo Park descended down the Niger River, and in 1822 the Scotsman Hugh Clapperton and the Englishman Dixon Denham headed from Tripoli across the Sahara and reached Lake Chad. In 1853–1855, the German explorer Heinrich Barth, who was in British service, went with his expedition from the Niger River to Lake Chad. In 1870, another German explorer, Gustav Nachtigal, crossed the Sahara from the Bilma oasis to Nguygmi near Lake Chad. Although there were no Frenchmen among these researchers, at the international Berlin conference of 1884–1885 on the division of Africa, the area of the upper reaches of the Niger River was declared a zone of French interests. In 1890, representatives of Great Britain and France came to an agreement to establish a demarcation line between the zones of interest of Great Britain and France, which ran from the city of Sai on the Niger River to Garoua on Lake Chad. In 1898 and 1904, this border was clarified taking into account the results of new research and “actual occupation”. In 1891–1892, Lieutenant Colonel P.L. Montey, on behalf of the French government, explored the territory of this area, as a result of which, after 1897, a number of French military posts were created between the Niger River and Lake Chad. Due to the stubborn resistance of the Tuaregs to French colonial expansion, Agadez was captured only in 1904. The Tuaregs did not accept the loss of independence and during the First World War they rebelled against the French authorities, which was suppressed after the war, but the French were still unable to establish effective control over Tuareg nomads. In addition, the French encountered fierce resistance from the Tubu nomads in the eastern part of Niger, which was only broken in 1922.
In 1900, the “military autonomous territory of Zinder” was created (in 1910 transformed into the “military territory of Niger”), which was included in the colony of Upper Senegal - Niger, which was part of French West Africa (FWA). In 1922, the territory of Niger was allocated as a separate colony within the FZA. In 1926, the administrative center of the colony was moved from Zinder to Niamey.
Before the introduction of the French Constitution of 1946, there were no political organizations in Niger modern type. The constitution provided for African representation in the local governments of the colonies, which became "overseas territories" and were also represented in the French National Assembly. In 1946, Niger's first political party was created - the Niger Progressive Party (NPP), which became one of the sections of the African Democratic Rally (ADR), which operated in all colonies of the FZA. Quite soon, the NPP began to lose its authority, and in 1951 a split occurred in it, caused by the reluctance of the left wing, led by the radical trade union leader Djibo Bakari, to follow the political line of part of the DOA leadership of refusing to cooperate with the French Communist Party. In 1957 D. Bakari created new batch, standing in opposition to the NPP - the Niger Democratic Union (since 1958 - Sawaba). In the first elections held in 1957 after the introduction of the law granting the “overseas territories” greater autonomy, Bakari’s party won the majority of seats in the Niger parliament, and he himself took the post of prime minister. During the campaign on the eve of the referendum on the draft French constitution of 1958, in which the population of the French colonies in Africa had to vote either to join the French Community or to sever all ties with the mother country, Sawaba advocated complete independence for Niger. In this situation, the NPP, together with the leaders and other political forces, formed the coalition “Union for the Franco-African Community”. In the referendum, the results of which, however, are considered controversial, 78% of the votes were cast in favor of Niger joining the French Community. The new government was headed by the leader of the NPP, Amani Diori. In the parliamentary elections in December 1958, the NPP won a majority of seats in the National Assembly. The following year, Sawaba's party was banned, the deputies who passed on its lists were expelled from parliament, and the party leaders were expelled from Niger.
Period of independent development.
After the proclamation of Niger's independence in August 1960, A. Diori became president of the country; in 1965 and 1970 he was re-elected to new term. Diori's conservative regime maintained close political and economic ties with France. Throughout the 1960s, there were clashes between supporters of Sawab's party and state law enforcement forces. Niger suffered more than other countries in the Sahel zone from the 1969–1974 drought, which caused widespread famine. The number of livestock in the country has sharply decreased. After information spread that foreign aid was not reaching the starving population due to the inefficiency and corruption of the authorities, the authority of the Diori regime was sharply shaken. In April 1974 he was overthrown in a military coup. Power passed to the Supreme Military Council (SMC), headed by Lieutenant Colonel Seini Kunche. The end of the drought and rising world uranium prices helped the military government make some progress in economic recovery, although the country remained mired in poverty. Niger's military leadership sought to maintain close ties with France, and when Libya invaded neighboring Chad in 1980, it began to strengthen relations with Arab and West African countries.
Since 1989, power in Niger has passed into the hands of Ali Saibu, chief of staff of the armed forces. He introduced a new constitution that allowed for a multi-party system and founded the National Development Society Movement (Nassar) party. In 1989, the constitution was suspended and the National Assembly was dissolved. Amadou Cheiffou became the head of the interim government and began preparations for parliamentary and presidential elections. In 1993, for the first time, a representative of the Hausa people, Mahaman Usman, was elected president of the country, holding this post until January 1996, when a coup d'état took place. The Prime Minister and the Speaker of Parliament were removed from their posts. The National Reconciliation Council (CNR) was created, headed by the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, I. Barre Mainasara. The new constitution, introduced on May 22, 1996, banned the activities of political parties. In July 1996, Mainasara was elected president of the country, and in November 1996 parliamentary elections were held.
At the beginning of 1999, elections to parliament and local authorities were held. However, their results in February were annulled by the Supreme Court, as they did not suit the country’s leadership (many representatives of opposition parties emerged victorious). Dissatisfaction with the ruling regime was brewing in the country. And on April 9, Mainasara was killed. The head of state and chairman of the People's Congress was appointed the head of the presidential guard, Major Dauda Malam Vanke (a native of the Hausa people).
Niger at the beginning of the 21st century
The 1999 presidential elections took place in two rounds – October 17 and November 24. In the first round, 7 candidates participated, in the second, the fight for the presidency unfolded between the candidate from the National Movement for Development Society - Nassara (MNDS-Nassara) party Mamadou Tandja and Mahamadou Issoufou, the leader of the Nigerian Party for Democracy and Socialism (NPDS). ). M. Tanja was elected president of the country, receiving 59.89% of the votes.
In the parliamentary elections held on November 24, 1999, the NDOR-Nassar party also won a landslide victory (38 out of 86 seats in the National Assembly).
In 2000, the government began implementing a two-year program of intensive economic reforms. The program provided, first of all, for privatization and repurposing state enterprises, as well as reducing budget expenditures for social needs. Before 2003, real GDP was negative.
In the 2004 presidential elections, which were held in two rounds (November 16 and December 4), Tanja won again. In the second round of elections, his political opponent was M. Issoufou.
In the elections to the National Assembly, held on December 4, 2004, the NDOR-Nassar party won a landslide victory (47 out of 113 seats). The Niger Party for Democracy and Socialism (NPDS) won 25 seats, the Democratic and Social Convention (DSC) 22 seats, the remaining 19 seats went to the SDS, UDP, the Niger Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress and the NSDP. DSK Chairman Mahaman Usman was elected Chairman of the Parliament.
By the summer of 2005, an extremely difficult situation had developed in the country: due to a long drought, as well as an invasion of locusts that destroyed crops, famine began. According to UN estimates, 2.5 million Niger residents are in need of urgent food assistance. A particularly critical situation has developed in the northwestern regions of the country. France was the first to begin providing food assistance under the auspices of the UN: in July, a batch of humanitarian supplies of 18 tons was sent to Niger. The total amount of French aid to Niger will be approx. 5 million euros (together with additional food aid of 1.5 million euros). Germany also sent a large shipment of food in July. Nigeria allocated 1 thousand tons of grain to help the starving people in Niger.
In January 2005, President Tandja was elected chairman of ECOWAS. The latest changes in the government were made on February 12, 2005. In December 2005, the Francophone Games will be held in Niamey. In order to prepare sporting events, France allocated more than 10 million euros to Niger for the development of the capital's infrastructure.
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