Economy of Niger

-Niger is one of the poorest nations in the world

-More than 80% of the people live on subsistence farming

-Some cash crops such as corn, peanuts, and sorghum are grown in the more fertile south

-Uranium from Uranium mines in the north is the country's largest international economic export

-Niger is the world's 4th largest supplier of Uranium

Niger Aid Links

Since Niger is extremely poor and in desperate need of aid, there are several active groups in Niger.

Here are some links to some good agencies working in Niger.

http://doctorswithoutborders.org/news/allcontent.cfm?id=55&source=AZD0900H1001&gclid=CJOQ6crGgLACFQ8CQAodTWd9Nw
-Doctors Without Borders - Niger

http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6235815/k.BC34/Child_Hunger_Crisis_in_Niger.htm?gclid=CLaWgI3HgLACFYMKKgodt2ISww
-Save the Children - Niger

http://www.americares.org/wherewework/africa/niger.html
Americares - Niger

History of Niger

-The land that is now present day Niger has been apart of many great kingdoms such as the Gao, Songhai, and Mali.

-Niger was colonized in the late 19th century by France, and became apart of a large territory known as French West Africa.

-After civil unrest, the country was granted autonomy in 1958, and eventually independence in 1960.

-Since Independence there has been much civil unrest and turbulance, with several coup d'etats overthrowing the government.

-Without France to support it, Niger has transformed into one of the poorest countries in the world since independence.

Map of Niger

                                                                        Map of Niger

Climate

-Niger's climate is extremely hot and arid, especially in the desert north, as the vast Sahara Desert makes up about the 75% of the country.

-In the capital Niamey, one of the hottest cities on the planet, the summertime temperatures regularly soar over 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and the wintertime temperatures still rise into the 90s.

-Most of the country receives less than 20 inches of rain a year, mostly during the short rainy season of August-October

Niger Overview

-Niger is a landlocked country in Northwest Africa

-Population of roughly 11 million people, growing rapidly.

-A large nation bordered on the west by Mali and Burkina Faso, the north by Algeria and Libya, the east by Chad, and the south by Nigeria and Benin.

-The Capital, Niamey, is located in the southwestern portion of the country, and is by far the largest city in the nation, with roughly a million inhabitants.