Niamey

capital of Niger

Niamey is the capital city of the African country of Niger. It is Niger's largest city. The city is on the Niger River. Niamey is the administrative, cultural and economic center of the country.

Niamey
Niamey at night
Niamey at night
Location in Niger
Location in Niger
Coordinates: 13°30′54″N 02°07′03″E / 13.51500°N 2.11750°E / 13.51500; 2.11750
Country Niger
RegionNiamey Urban Community
Communes Urbaines5 Communes
Districts44 Districts
Quartiers99 Quarters
Government
 • TypeAppointed district government, elected city council, elected commune and quarter councils[2]
Area
 • Total239.30 km2 (92.39 sq mi)
Elevation
207 m (679 ft)
Population
 (2012)
 • Total1,026,848[1]
 • Estimate 
(October 1, 2020)
1,334,984[3]
 Niamey Urban Community
Time zoneUTC+1 (WAT)
Area code20

The city is in a pearl millet growing region. Manufacturing industries in the city include bricks, ceramic goods, cement and weaving.

History

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Niamey was probably founded during the 18th century. It was of little importance until the French created a colonial post there in the 1890s. The city grew quickly after that happened. In 1926, it became the capital of Niger. The number of people grew slowly from about 3,000 people in 1930 to around 30,000 in 1960, 250,000 in 1980 and 675,000 in 2002. The major cause of the increase has been immigration during droughts.

Things to see

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Things to see in the city include the Niger National Museum. The museum includes a zoo, a museum of vernacular architecture, a craft centre, and displays including dinosaur skeletons and the Tree of Ténéré. The city also has American, French and Nigerien cultural centres, two major markets, and a traditional wrestling arena .

The city is the site of Diori Hamani International Airport, the National School of Administration, and Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey.

References

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  1. National Statistics Institute of Niger. "Structure of the Population RGPH 2012" (PDF). Retrieved December 31, 2020.
  2. Assane Seydou Sanda-elu-maire-de-la-ville-de-niamey&catid=34:actualites&Itemid=53 Installation du Conseil de ville de Niamey et élection des membres : M. Assane Seydou Sanda, élu maire de la ville de Niamey. Laouali Souleymane, Le Sahel (Niamey). 1 July 2011
  3. National Statistics Institute of Niger. "Demographic Projections for Niger 2012-2024". Retrieved December 31, 2020.

Other websites

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  Media related to Niamey at Wikimedia Commons