Niamey

Niamey
Downtown Niamey
Niamey
Coordinates:
Country	Niger
Area
- Total	670 km² (258.7 sq mi)
Population (2002 census)
- Total	674,950

Niamey seen from Spot Satellite

Niamey, population 674,950 (2002 census), is the capital of Niger. It is Niger's largest city, lying on the Niger River, mostly on the east bank. It is an administrative, cultural and economic center. Niamey is located at 13°31'17" North, 2°6'19" East (13.521389, 2.105278). [1]

The city is located in a pearl millet growing region, while manufacturing industries include bricks, ceramic goods, cement and weaving.

Niamey was probably founded in the eighteenth century, but was of little importance to most of the country until the French developed a colonial post in the 1890s. This rapidly grew into an important centre. In 1926 it became the capital of Niger, and the population gradually increased, from about 3,000 in 1930 to around 30,000 in 1960, 250,000 in 1980 and - by some estimates - 800,000 in 2000. The major cause of the increase has been immigration during droughts.

Population

Attractions in the city include the Niger National Museum, incorporating a zoo, a museum of vernacular architecture, a craft centre, and exhibits including dinosaur skeletons and the Tree of Ténéré. There are also American, French and Nigerien cultural centres, two major markets, and a traditional wrestling arena.

The city is also the site of Diori Hamani International Airport, the National School of Administration, Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey, which lies on the right bank of the river, and many institutes (Centre numérique de Niamey, IRD, ICRISAT, Hydrologic Institute, etc.)

In December 2005 it was the host of the Jeux de la Francophonie.

The Grand Mosque of Niamey

Niamey comprises a special capital district of Niger, which is surrounded by the department of Tillabéri.

Religion

More than 90% of Niger is populated by Muslims, and as such Niamey hosts the largest mosque in the country. The city also has a Catholic bishop.

External links

• Niamey travel guide from Wikitravel
• FallingRain Map - elevation = 207m

• Niamey is at coordinates

References

• Niger Assemblee Nationale official site
• Mission of Niger to the United Nations official site
• BBC News Country Profile - Niger
• CIA World Factbook - Niger
• Open Directory Project - Niger directory category
• US State Department - Niger includes Background Notes, Country Commercial Guides and major reports

Regions and Departments of Niger Capital: Niamey in Niamey Capital District Agadez Region  • Arlit Department  • Bilma Department  • Tchirozerine Department Diffa Region  • Diffa Department  • Maine-soroa Department  • N'guigmi Department Dosso Region  • Boboye Department  • Dogondoutchi Department  • Dosso Department  • Gaya Department  • Loga Department Maradi Region  • Aguie Department  • Dakoro Department  • Groumdji Department  • Madarounfa Department  • Mayahi Department  • Tessaoua Department Tahoua Region  • Abalak Department  • Bkonni Department  • Bouza Department  • Illela Department  • Keita Department  • Madoua Department  • Tahoua Department  • Tchin-Tabaraden Department Tillabéri Region  • Filingue Department  • Kollo Department  • Ouallam Department  • Say Department  • Tera Department  • Tillabéri Department Zinder Region  • Goure Department  • Magaria Department  • Matameye Department  • Mirriah Department  • Tanout Department

Niger River Countries Guinea · Mali · Niger · Benin · Nigeria Sections Source of the Niger · Middle Niger · Niger Inland Delta · Lower Niger · Niger Delta Tributaries (list) Tinkisso River · Sankarani River · Bani River · Mekrou River · Alibori River · Sola River · Sokoto River · Kaduna River · Benue River · Forcados River · Nun River Cities Siguiri · Bamako ·Segou · Mopti · Timbuktu · Gao · Niamey · Lokoja · Onitsha Lakes Kainji Lake · Lac Debo Dams and bridges King Fahd Bridge · Martyrs Bridge · Markala Dam · Gao Bridge · Kennedy Bridge  · Kainji Dam · River Niger Bridge (Onitsha) Protected Areas Niger Basin Authority · National Park of Upper Niger · W National Park · Kainji National Park

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