PROFILE

OFFICIAL NAME:
Republic of Niger

Geography
Area: 1,267,000 sq. km (490,000 sq. mi.); about three times the size of California.
Cities: Capital--Niamey (pop. approx. 1 million).
Other cities--Tahoua, Maradi, Zinder, Diffa, Dosso, Arlit, and Agadez.
Terrain: About two-thirds desert and mountains, one-third savanna.
Climate: Hot, dry, and dusty. Rainy season June - September.

People
Nationality: Noun and Adjective--Nigerien(s).
Population (2005 est.) 13,957,000.
Annual growth rate (2005): 3.4%.
Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fulani 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanuri) 4.3%; Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%.
Religions: Islam (95%); remainder traditional and Christian.
Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma, Fulfulde, Kanuri, Tamachek, Toubou, Gourmantche, Arabic.
Education: Years compulsory--6. Attendance--45% (men), 31% (women).
Literacy (2004 est.)--28.7%.
Health: Infant mortality rate (2000)--152/1,000. Life expectancy--45 yrs.

Government
Type: Republic.
Independence: August 3, 1960.
Constitution: The constitution of December 26, 1992 was revised by national referendum on May 12, 1996 and again by referendum on July 18, 1999.
Branches: Executive--president and prime minister. Legislative--unicameral National Assembly (113 MPs). Judicial--Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, High Court of Justice.
Political parties: Seven are represented in the National Assembly.
Suffrage: The constitution provides for universal suffrage for Nigeriens age 18 or older.
Administrative subdivisions: Eight regions subdivided into 36 districts (departments) and 265 communes (local councils).
Central government budget: $320 million.

Economy
GDP (2005): $3.4 billion.
Annual growth rate (2005): 4.5%.
Per capita GDP (2005): $280.
Avg. inflation rate (2005): 6.6%
Natural resources: Uranium, gold, oil, coal, iron, tin, and phosphates.
Agriculture (41% of GDP): Products--millet, sorghum, cowpeas, peanuts, cotton, and rice.
Industry (11.5% of GDP): Types--textiles, cement, soap, and beverages.
Trade (2005): Exports (freight on board--f.o.b.)--$505 million. Types--uranium, livestock, cowpeas, and onions. Major markets--France 45.7%, Nigeria 20.4%, US 19.4% Switzerland 4.6%. Imports (f.o.b.)--$664 million. Types--consumer goods, petroleum, foodstuffs, and industrial products. Major suppliers--France 16.5%, Côte d'Ivoire 10%, Nigeria 6.3%, China 5.4%.

PEOPLE
The largest ethnic groups in Niger are the Hausa, who also constitute the major ethnic group in northern Nigeria, and the Djerma-Songhai, who also are found in parts of Mali. Both groups, along with the Gourmantche, are sedentary farmers who live in the arable, southern tier of the country. The remainder of Nigeriens are nomadic or semi-nomadic livestock-raising peoples--Fulani, Tuareg, Kanuri, Arabs, and Toubou. With rapidly growing populations and the consequent competition for meager natural resources, lifestyles of agriculturalists and livestock herders have come increasingly into conflict in Niger in recent years.