Niger
16 00 N, 8 00 E
lowest point: Niger River 200 m
highest point: Mont Bagzane 2,022 m
total: 5,697 km
border countries: Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km
recurring droughts
uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum
arable land: 11.43%
permanent crops: 0.01%
other: 88.56% (2005)
overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
Summers are extremely hot. The dry season is from October to May. Heavy rains with high temperatures are common in July and August.
Required clothing
Lightweight cottons and linens are required most of the year. Warmer clothes during the cool evenings, especially in the north, are essential. Rainwear is advisable.
time difference: UTC+1
