Niger: Capital, Flag and Fun Facts

About Niger

Niger is a large landlocked country in West Africa, named after the Niger River that flows through its southwest. More than 80 per cent of the land lies in the Sahara Desert. It has rugged mountains, sandy plains and ancient desert trading towns.

About Niamey

Niamey lies on the Niger River in the southwest of Niger. It is the country's largest city and is known for its big riverside markets and its National Museum.

Fun facts about Niger

1. The country is named after the Niger River, one of Africa's longest rivers, which flows through its southwest corner.
2. The mud-brick minaret of the Great Mosque of Agadez, about 27 metres tall, is the tallest of its kind in the world.
3. Niger is home to the last wild herds of West African giraffes, often seen near the village of Kouré.
4. Fossils of the giant 'SuperCroc' Sarcosuchus and the dinosaur Nigersaurus were discovered in Niger's desert.
5. At the Gerewol festival, young Wodaabe men wear face paint and dance to show off their beauty.
6. The Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves form one of the largest protected areas in Africa.