Niger

Republic of the Sahara Desert in West Africa . The capital is Niamey . From the northwest , Algeria , Libya , in the east , Nigeria in the east, Bencan in the south, Benkina in the southwest , Burkina Faso , and Mali to the west .

It is a landlocked country whose entire territory belongs to the Sahara Desert and the Sahel . Although its land area is 12 times that of South Korea, the 21st largest in the world, and the 6th largest in Africa, most of its area is a barren desert. The capital, Niamey , is located in the southwestern region, which is located along the Niger River and is therefore easy to live in. The northeastern desert, which accounts for more than half of the country, has a low population density. In the past, it bordered Lake Chad, but Lake Chad is shrinking in area due to climate change and is no longer in contact.

Geologically, Cretaceous strata are widely distributed in the eastern desert area, and dinosaurs have been found in Africa along with Morocco and Tanzania . It is one of the countries where many fossils are found. The Elrhaz formation, formed in the Early Cretaceous, is the best known, and in that stratum, along with the giant crocodile Sarcosuchus , Ouranosaurus , Sucomimus , Nigersaurus , Rurdusaurus , Eoccharcaria , and Kryptops , etc. Various dinosaur fossils have been excavated. In other strata, fossils of Spinosaurus , Carcharodontosaurus , and Rugops have also been excavated.

Originally, this area was an area of ​​moist jungles and grasslands, but from around the 5th millennium BC, desertification progressed gradually, and by around the 2nd millennium BC, it had already become a dry zone. The Iron Age began around 1500 B.C., and camels were introduced by the Tuareg nomads in the 3rd century A.D.

The Nile Saharan peoples of East Africa passed through Niger as they advanced westward, and the Hausa people had already established numerous countries since the 14th century thanks to the influence of the Kanuri people of Chad , and the Songhai Empire of Mali had a great influence. In the 17th century, the Songhai kingdom of Dendi was established in the country.

The Hausa, belonging to the Chad tribe within the Afro-Asiatic language family , traded with various tribes in the Sahara Desert and introduced medieval Islamic studies centered on the merchant class . The Hausa language, which was mainly in southern Niger and northern Nigeria, absorbed other Chadian languages ​​and began to increase its number of speakers.

From the 18th century to the late 19th century, the Khawar Sultanate was established briefly by the Tubu people who migrated to Khawar .

In the 19th century , the Fula , under the leadership of the Hausa cleric Usman Din Podio, introduced a nomadic culture, strengthened the cavalry army, unified the minor Hausa states, and established the Islamic theocracy, the Caliphate of Sokoto .

The Sokoto Caliphate, established by the Fula at the time, was not just a federation, but Nigeria's first feudal empire. The Fula split off from the Sokoto Caliphate and destroyed even the Bamana Empire in Mali and the Jolof Kingdom in Senegal. emigrated

1904 It became a colony of France and became independent in 1960 (First Republic of Niger).

After independence, the first president, Hamani Diori , led a one-party dictatorship with the Niger Progressive Party, which he led. However, in 1974 , when a drought occurred across the country, he was ousted due to economic incompetence. See Niger Coup, 1974. (Second Niger Republic)

Seyni Kountché , who dominated power with a coup , collided with the US and Libyan Arab Jahiriya, which provides food support . In 1985 , the Tua Leg , who wandered around the border, collided with the uranium mineral resources.

Fortunately, the Kunze regime lasted for a while.[4] We were able to survive thanks to the development of uranium. GDP per capita rose to $449 in 1980.[5] For a while, at least until the 1980s, Niger was able to gain support by showing an economic growth rate of 14% for the first and last time in its history.

Kunze died of a brain tumor and named Ali Saïbou as his successor in 1987 . He prepared for the transfer of civil administration over a period of six years. In the meantime, the Tuaregs rebelled again, creating a crisis that sent troops to Agadez and other Sahara desert regions. In 1993, civilian administration was finally transferred and the Mahamane Ousmane regime emerged (Third Niger Republic). He faithfully followed the economic policies recommended by the international community and remained in power until the 1996 presidential election, but suddenly another coup occurred. Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara , who launched the coup, expelled President Ousmane and registered himself as a candidate in the presidential election, winning with 52% of the votes (Fourth Republic of Niger). However, in 1999 , an incident occurred that hastened the end of his bid for re-election.

When the election results came out unclear (rigged election), the opposition party filed an election lawsuit with the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court accepted it. In the midst of protests, he was assassinated by a mutiny by soldiers while riding in a helicopter .

General Daouda Malam Wanké , who led the anti-Mainasara movement (coup), prepared for the transfer of civilian government for two to eight months, and Mamadou Tandja was elected (Niger Fifth Republic). Tandja managed to lead the world's poorest country until the military coup in 2010 . He also met with President Bush in his own way to increase foreign aid from the United States and other countries. However, the constitutional amendment for a third term was met with controversy over dictatorship.

2010 was a tumultuous year for Niger politics. While President Tanza was at the presidential palace for a meeting, Saru Dzibo 's coup took place. # President Tanza fled to the barracks in Niamey , and the coup forces intervened in the elections. (Niger's 6th Republic) However, the coup forces could not take control of the country as before, and Mahamadou Issoufou , the long-time opposition leader of the Niger Democratic Socialist Party since 1993 (or 1999 ) , became Niger's new president in April 2011. (Niger's 7th Republic) Sarou Dzibo At the same time, he resigned as chairman of the Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy.

The combination of the Libyan Revolution and the first Libyan Civil War, with some of the Gaddafi families, and Prime Minister Brigi Rafini promised their protection. Since then, Magreb's terrorist organizations , who have been active in Al Qaeda and Algeria , expand their forces in the Sahel Zone, self -proclaimed jihad warrior Islamic extremism It is one of the three countries that have been hit by terrorists in this area, causing the Civil War , causing a big hit.[6] Later, he involved Daesch and Boko Haram , and the terrorist organizations under the influence of Al Qaeda were integrated into Jamart Nusrat Islamic Muslimin, and the civil war was in confusion.

On June 4, 2018, three bombings took place in Nipa, a city in Niger. #

On February 17, 2020, 20 people were killed in a stampede as refugees tried to receive aid. #

On June 24, 2020, at least 10 members of a local aid agency were abducted in southwestern Niger. #

On September 5, 2020, the National Human Rights Commission of Niger announced that the Niger Army was responsible for the disappearance and massacre of more than 100 civilians in the northwestern Tillaveri region between late March and early April, and that six recently discovered civilians in the Tillaveri region were responsible. More than 70 bodies buried in mass graves are suspected to be those of civilians slaughtered by the military, it said. #

On 18 September, Daesh claimed responsibility for the killings of six French aid workers and two local guides in Niger in August. #

In the first round of the presidential election held in Niger on January 2, 2021, Mohamed Bazom , the ruling party's candidate , took first place. #

On January 2, an attack by armed groups killed more than 70 civilians. #

On March 15, armed groups attacked civilians, killing at least 58 people. # In response, the Niger government declared a day of national mourning. # On March 31, the Nigerian government announced that it had prevented a coup attempt that was supposed to take place before the inauguration of the new president. #

President Mohammed Bahjum , who took office on April 2, blamed the terrorist group. #

On April 13, a fire broke out at a school on the outskirts of Niamey, killing about 20 students. #

On 17 August, 37 civilians, including 13 children, were killed in an attack by gunmen in western Niger. #

In July 2023, a coup occurred, and President Mohamed Bazum was detained. The military proclaimed martial law. # Abdurahamane Chiani, who led the coup, announced that he was the chairman of the National Guardian Committee. # For more information, see the Niger Coup in 2023 .

Currently, Niger is in a confusing political situation that is the only country established by the 7th Republic and the 8th Republic.

Niger's GDP per capita in 2021 Even according to UN statistics , it is one of the world's poorest countries , ranking 184th out of 195 countries with an income of only $591 . In terms of how serious it is, it is on the same level as countries such as North Korea , Malawi , Democratic Republic of the Congo , Sierra Leone , and Madagascar .[7]

Most of the economy relies on self-sufficient agriculture and ranching, but even this is not enough as 95% of the country is barren desert. Fortunately, some agricultural products, including peanuts, are exported from the southern Niger River basin. We are in a very bleak situation where the population is increasing too quickly and desertification is worsening. To what extent is this? In 1950, the population was only 5.8 million, but as of 2022, the population has increased to 25 million, and is expected to soon exceed 30 million. From 2100, the population will grow rapidly to the point where it will lead global population growth along with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Tanzania.

It possesses a significant amount of uranium as a natural resource, but is not properly developed due to conflict with the Tuaregs . Still, even if it rots, it is considered acceptable, and among the uranium imported by France , the proportion from Niger is the highest. In addition, the country has considerable oil, natural gas, and gold, so it is evaluated as a country with potential for resource development in Africa, but the profits from the export of minerals currently mined are monopolized by powerful companies and a small class of people. There was no proper investment for national development or the poor, such as education or expansion of the industrial base. This is considered one of the reasons why Niger remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Statistics show that 40% of Niger's population lives on less than $2.15 a day. There are also resources such as gold , oil , tin , and coal .

As of 2023, the proportion of agricultural agriculture is 47.8% , the world's No. 1 higher than Syria (43.1%).[8] The urbanization rate is also 17%, except for Liechtenstein & Burundi (15%) and Papua New Guinea (14%).[9]

Together with Mali and Burkina Paso, it is a Sashel National Federation . It was quite unstable politically, making it as much as the 8th Republic, and Niger is the only country where the 7th Republic occurred.

 more detailsNiger County documentcastPlease note.

Among the countries in Africa , which are quite chaotic, it is one of the poorest countries because coups occur all the time. In the past , it was one of the safest countries in Africa in terms of security , but with the installation of Boko Haram , that has now become a thing of the past. Just looking at the country itself, it is more gloomy than the neighboring country, Chad . Even the security situation is worse than in Chad where bullets are flying.



In addition, Al Qaeda is located north of the Niger River on the western border with Mali, and the African branch of the Islamic State is also moving south from Libya in the northeast, making Niger a crossroads for terrorist organizations .

It was so bad that four members of the U.S. Army Special Operations Forces who were assisting the Niger Army were killed during the operation . 4 people in Niger County also died. This incident is now being taken seriously enough to be recorded in the U.S. Army Special Forces document. Related documentaries

Although the index is gradually improving, it is the country with the second lowest Human Development Index (HDI) in the world. As a result of the 2004 estimates, the literacy rate was 28.7% and the illiteracy rate was 71.3%. In particular, the illiteracy rate for women is 85%. As of 2021, the literacy rate is 38%, and more than half of the population is still illiterate or does not know how to read and write properly. The elementary school enrollment rate itself is around the mid to high 70% range, but teaching methods and quality of education are pointed out as major problems, and as Niger is a poor country, many students drop out of school due to livelihood issues, resulting in a high absenteeism rate.

There is a risk that a military regime will be established due to a successful coup in 2023, and the West is using French bases and the United States to rent and use air force bases in charge of monitoring and attacking jihadists. However, the West African Economic Community does not recognize the military regime in Niger, and in the worst case scenario, military intervention by the community's allied forces is expected, and there is room for intervention as the United States also looks to Africa to stop Russia's encroachment into Africa.

Eventually, on November 11, 2025, armed groups took over almost everything, and the entire region except Niamey was designated as a black alert.

It is one of the countries with a very high birth rate. Due to the global trend of low birth rates, the birth rate is decreasing by about 1% every year, but it still exceeds 4 to 5 people on average. The population, which was about 5 million in 1980, increased to about 16 million in 2013, and it is predicted that Niger's population will increase to 40 million in 2050 and 80 million in 2100, unless something unexpected happens. Additionally, as of 2019, the median age is 15.3 years old, making it a very young country.

It is a country that is confusing because it is similar to Nigeria . Both of them are named after the NIGER , but Niger was a French colony, so it was a French name, and Nigeria was a British colony . There are both public opinion that the river cannot represent the state, so there is a movement to change the state to the local name like Swatini .

The English word for 'Nigerian' or 'of Niger' is 'Nigeri e n'. 'Nigerian' means ' Nigerian ' or 'of Nigeria'. As expected, this is also often used overseas as a meme to confuse Nigerians and Nigerians.

During the opening ceremony of the 2014 Brazil World Cup, there was a misconception that the national flag of this country was shown while videos of the national flags of the 32 participating countries were being shown. It is known that this happened because Nigeria was mistaken for Niger in English notation . However, Niger has never advanced to the World Cup finals.

The origin of the Niger River is Berber , meaning 'river of rivers' and has no relation to the similarly spelled word 'nigger'. Niger comes from the Latin word NIGREO, which means black.

Looking at the small flag , it is surprisingly easy to confuse with India . The difference from the Indian flag is that the upper orange color is slightly redder than the orange color of the Indian flag, and unlike the Indian flag, which is wider horizontally, this side is closer to a square.[10] The circle in the middle is orange.

The orange color of the flag represents the northern region and the desert, the green color represents the southern region and the grassland, the white color represents the unity and peace of the two regions, and the orange circle represents the sun and independence.

Men of the Mbororo (Wodaabe) tribe of Niger's Fula are famous for putting on makeup and holding beauty contests.

As a former colony of France, the official language is French and it is a member of the Francophonie . and Hausa , Arabic ,[11] Fula , Songhai , Tuareg , and Kanuri are also spoken. Hausa is also a widely spoken language in Niger.

The majority of Niger's population is Muslim . The Sunnis are the majority. Islam in Niger, along with Mali, is influenced by Sufism as well as indigenous beliefs. There is also a small percentage of Christians and indigenous beliefs.

Niger, along with Mali, is a country with religious freedom, but as Islamic fundamentalist forces have come to Niger, the Niger government, along with France and Russia, is working to block the influence of Islamic fundamentalism.

 more detailsNiger/Diplomatic documentcastPlease note.

Mortal Kombat 1 's female ninja , Sirex , hails from the Air Mountains of Niger.[12]

The country's national taekwondo athlete, Abdullazaq Isupu Alfaga, won her country's second Olympic medal and first ever silver medal in the men's +80kg taekwondo event at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics .

Oh Sang-wook 's first opponent at the 2024 Paris Olympics will be this country's Evan Giro.[13] He was a player.

It has become a hot topic on Instagram due to its unusual country name, which is reminiscent of a derogatory comment about black people , and its territory, which is shaped like a chicken leg. Also, the capital's name is Niamey , and some domestic netizens joke that it has a similar pronunciation to Padrip , and the national flag ratio is uniquely 6:7 .

YouTuber Onadan is from Niger.