TheMali Empire and theSonghai Empire both had land in what is now Niger. LaterFrance controlled the land that is now Niger. Niger has a population, or the number of people living in an area, of 15,306,252 and an area of 1,267,000square kilometres. Much of Niger isdesert.
Most of the people live in rural areas, and have little access to advanced education.
Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with a lack ofcontraception. 41.4% live inpoverty.Hunger plagues the country.
Niger’s main exports areuranium ore,livestock,cowpeas andonions.Millet andsorghum are grown in the south, as well ascassava andsugarcane. Rice is grown in the Niger River valley. Peanuts are the most important cash crop. Other important crops are cotton and pulses.
Niger is home to the critically endangeredaddax antelope. West African giraffes are the onlygiraffes in West Africa that exist in Niger.
Niger is on the border between theSahara andSub-Saharan regions. Niger's area is1,267,000 square kilometres (489,191sqmi) of which300 square kilometres (116sqmi) is water. It is the world's twenty-second largest country. Niger borders seven countries. The longest border is withNigeria to the south.
Niger'ssubtropical climate is mainly very hot and dry. Much of it is covered bydesert. In the extreme south there is a tropical climate on the edges of theNiger River basin. The land is mostly desert plains andsand dunes. There is flat to rollingsavanna in the south and hills in the north.
Theliteracy rate (the amount of the adult population who can read or write) of Niger is among the lowest in the world. In 2005 it was estimated to be only 28.7% (42.9% male and 15.1% female).[21] Primary education in Niger is required for six years.[22] The primary school enrollment and attendance rates are low, particularly for girls.[22] Children are often made to work rather than attend school. This is particularly true during planting orharvest periods.
.svg)
.svg)
