Terrain

Niger can be divided into three zones. The Sahara, located in the north, occupies more than two thirds of the country's total area. Secondly, there is a desert-like highland plateau averaging 250 to 350 m in altitude, The country's highest peak, Mt. Bagzane (2,022 m) is located in the south of this plateau. Niger's few fertile areas are located in the south of the country. These areas benefit from plenty of rain and the annual floods of the river Niger, which is the country's only important river. In the south-east, the country borders Lake Chad, which is one of Africa's largest lakes.

Climate

Niger has a hot climate, with average temperatures of around 30°C, but temperatures can reach 50°C in some areas between March and June. From December to February, temperatures are more moderate and can drop to below zero in the desert. The Harmattan winds usually arrive just before the rains. The rainy season lasts from June to October and is restricted to the south of the country.

Fauna/Flora

Several factors are causing the rapid desertification of northern Niger: the devastating droughts of the 1970s, overgrazing in large areas, deforestation, and the high level of quartz sands in the region which does not provide favourable conditions for plants and which makes it impossible to get a high yield of crops.

In other parts of the country, there are large stretches of dry savannah covered with grass, as well as fertile areas with baobabs, kapok trees, tamarinds, and mahogany trees. The country's diverse fauna includes elephants, hippopotamuses, panthers, zebras, and camels.

History/Politics

Evidence of human settlement in the area of present-day Niger dates back to prehistoric times. Later, the area was mainly inhabited by nomadic tribes. Around the 3rd century BC, the area became one of the most important centres of the salt and gold trade within the Sahara region and far beyond. Later and right up to the 19th century, the area remained within the dominion of the Sahel kingdoms, with Mali and Songhai rule in the west of the country. The Hausa ruled the centre and parts of the south, and the Bornu ruled the south and parts of the east.

Tuareg tribes dominated other central parts of present-day Niger; nomadic tribes lived in the northern parts of the country, where they bred animals. The Kingdom of Sakoto conquered half of the territory in the 19th century, thriving on trade. That was the time when Europeans (who had already been living in the coastal areas for a long time) decided to conquer the areas inland, which sparked conflict between the British and the French. France finally succeeded in gaining control over the territory in 1890 and began to colonise it.

In 1900, Niger became a military territory and it became a French colony in 1922, despite popular resistance. In 1946, Niger became an overseas territory and it was granted the status of an autonomous republic within the French Union in 1958. In 1960, Niger finally became independent. Independence movement leader Hamani Diori was elected president of the National Assembly, and was confirmed in office in 1965 and 1970.

Devastating droughts in the early 1970s forced the military to supply food to people in rural areas. The military overthrew Diori in April 1974. After that, Niger was governed by a military council led by lieutenant colonel Seyni Kountché. His main aim was to boost the country's economy, which he succeeded in doing by exporting uranium. However, a decline in uranium prices in the 1980s resulted in a serious economic and social crisis, which in turn led to riots and the establishment of the Tuareg guerrilla movement.

When Kountché died in 1987, Ali Seybou was named his successor. Seybou became head of government in 1989 after he had introduced a new constitution. Opposition parties were admitted in 1990 after a wave of strikes and protests. One of the opposition parties gained a majority in the 1993 elections, and Mahamane Ousmane became the country's first president.

The constitution was abolished following a military coup in January 1996. Boukary Adji was appointed head of government, while Baré Mainassara became prime minister. They subsequently formed a transitional government that consisted entirely of civilians. In May 1996, the majority of the electorate voted for a new constitution in a referendum. In April 1999, Baré Mainassara was assassinated, and Mamadou Tandja became president of Niger in December 1999. He was re-elected in 2004.

Economy

Despite the droughts the country experiences, agriculture accounts for most of its country's revenue. The main agricultural commodities it exports are peanuts. Millet, manioc, beans and rice are produced for subsistence. Many people in Niger are subsistence farmers. In central Niger, there are various mineral deposits; salt and sodium bicarbonate have been mined for centuries. Tin is also found in this area. Rich uranium deposits are mined in the north of the country. Industry is restricted to food production and construction. In 2003, the average inflation rate was -1.2%.

Culture

The Cure Salée is one of the greatest festivities in West Africa. It takes place just before the rains come, and is an important social event, as herders meet around the salt pans of Ingal with their huge herds and wait for the rain. One of the highlights of the Cure Salée is the Gerewol festival that is held by the nomadic Wodaabé tribe.

All Wodaabé men participate in a beauty contest in front of a judging panel that is composed of women from the tribe. The men get dressed up and put make-up on for the competition, in which they dance and sing. The most handsome man of the tribe is finally chosen at dawn.