Editing Geography of Niger

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=April 2013}}
{{Infobox country geography
|name = Niger
|map = [[File:niger sm03.png|250px]]<br><br>[[File:LocationNiger.svg|240px|Location map of Niger]]
|map size = 
|continent = [[Africa]]
|region = [[Western Africa]]
|coordinates = {{Coord|16|00|N|08|00|E|type:country}}
|area ranking = 21st
|km area = 1,266,700
|percent land = 
|percent water = {{#expr:300/1266700*100 round 2}}
|km coastline = 0
|borders = Land boundaries: <br>[[Algeria]] 951 km<br> [[Benin]] 277 km<br> [[Burkina Faso]] 622 km<br> [[Chad]] 1,196 km<br> [[Libya]] 342 km<br> [[Mali]] 838 km<br> [[Nigeria]] 1,608 km<ref name="The World Factbook">{{cite web|title=The World Factbook|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/niger/|website=CIA.gov|access-date=20 April 2015}}</ref>
{{infobox|child=yes
| label1 = Irrigated land
| data1 = 736.6&nbsp;km² (2005)
| label2 = Total renewable water resources
| data2 = 33.65&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> (2011)
}}
|highest point = [[Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès]], 2,022 m
|lowest point = [[Niger River]], 200 m
|longest river = 
|largest lake = 
|climate = [[Hot desert climate|Hot desert]]; [[hot semi-arid climate|hot semi-arid]] in extreme southwest
|terrain = Mostly desert plains and sand [[dune]]s, [[hill]]s in the north
|natural resources = [[Uranium]], [[coal]], [[iron ore]], [[tin]], [[phosphate]]s, [[gold]], [[molybdenum]], [[gypsum]], [[salt]], [[petroleum]]
|natural hazards = Recurring [[drought]]s
|environmental issues = [[Overgrazing]], soil [[erosion]], [[deforestation]], [[poaching]]
}}

[[Niger]] is a [[landlocked]] nation in [[West Africa]] located along the border between the [[Sahara]] and [[Sub-Saharan Africa|Sub-Saharan]] regions. Its [[Geographic coordinate system|geographic coordinates]] are [[longitude]] 16°N and [[latitude]] 8°E.

==Area==
:* Total: {{convert|1,267,000|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="The World Factbook" />
:**''country rank in the world:'' 21st
:* Land: {{convert|1,266,700|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}
:* Water: {{convert|300|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}

; Area comparative
:* Australia comparative: slightly smaller than the [[Northern Territory]]
:* Canada comparative: slightly less than twice the size of [[Manitoba]]
:* United States comparative: slightly more than three times the size of [[California]]
:* [[European Union|EU]] comparative: approximately twice the size of [[France]]
==Brief history==
Niger, which attained independence from [[France]] in 1960 was under military rule until 1991. On public demand [[Ali Saibou|Gen. Ali Saibou]] held multiparty elections in 1993 and soon democracy came into effect in 1993. However, political unrest was caused by [[Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara|Col. Ibrahim Bare]] who staged a coup in 1996, but he later died in a counter insurgency operations by officers of the military establishment in 1999. This was followed by fresh elections for a democratic rule, and [[Mamadou Tandja]] assumed power in December 1999. Tandja, who won the elections in 2004 and in 2009, wanted to bring about a constitutional amendment to extend his tenure as president. However, in February 2010, he was removed from the post of the president in a coup engineered by the military and the constitution was annulled. Soon after, in 2011, elections were held and [[Mahamadou Issoufou]] got elected as the president and was sworn in April 2011.<ref name="The World Factbook"/>
Niger's problem with rebellious groups continued during 2007 and 2008. Rebellion was controlled. However, its security problems with its neighbors such as [[Libya]], [[Nigeria]] and [[Mali]] have been a cause for concern.<ref name="The World Factbook"/>

==Geography==
Niger, with a land area of 1.267 million km<sup>2</sup>, is a land locked country which is bounded with a land boundary of 5,834&nbsp;km by seven countries: [[Algeria]] (951&nbsp;km), [[Benin]] (277&nbsp;km), [[Burkina Faso]] (622&nbsp;km), [[Chad]] (1,196&nbsp;km), [[Libya]] (342&nbsp;km), [[Mali]] 838&nbsp;km, and [[Nigeria]] (1,608)&nbsp;km.<ref name="The World Factbook"/>

===Regions===
{{main|Regions of Niger}}
[[Niger]] is divided into 7 Regions (French: ''régions;'' singular{{spaced ndash}}''région)''. Each department's capital is the same as its name.

{{stack|{{Regions of Niger Image Map}}}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-bgcolor=#ACE1AF
!Region
!Area <br> (km<sup>2</sup>)<ref>[http://www.geohive.com/cntry/niger.aspx Niger at GeoHive] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420070414/http://www.geohive.com/cntry/niger.aspx |date=20 April 2015 }}</ref>
!Population <br> (2012 census)
|-
|[[Agadez Region|Agadez]]
|667,799
|487,620
|-
|[[Diffa Region|Diffa]]
|156,906
|593,821
|-
|[[Dosso Region|Dosso]]
|33,844
|2,037,713
|-
|[[Maradi Region|Maradi]]
|41,796
|3,402,094
|-
|[[Niamey]]
|402
|1,026,848
|-
|[[Tahoua Region|Tahoua]]
|113,371
|3,328,365
|-
|[[Tillabéri Region|Tillabéri]]
|97,251
|2,722,842
|-
|[[Zinder Region|Zinder]]
|155,778
|3,539,764
|}
*The national capital, [[Niamey]], comprises a [[Capital districts and territories|capital district]].

===Departments===
{{main|Departments of Niger}}
[[Image:Niger arrondissements.png|thumb|right|The pre-2011 36 [[Departments of Niger]]. A further 27 were then carved out of existing divisions.]]
The Regions of Niger are subdivided into 63 [[Department (country subdivision)|Departments]].

===Communes===
{{main|Communes of Niger}}
The 63 Departments are broken down into Communes. As of 2006 there were 265 communes, including ''communes urbaines'' (Urban Communes: centred in or as subdivisions of cities of over 10000), ''communes rurales'' (Rural Communes) centred in cities of under 10,000 and/or sparsely populated areas, and a variety of traditional (clan or tribal) bodies amongst semi-nomadic populations.

<gallery caption="" widths="225px" heights="160px">
File:Niger communes.png|[[Communes of Niger]]
</gallery>

===Cities===
{{main|List of cities in Niger|Niger#Largest cities and towns}}

<gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="150px">
Image:NigerOMC.png|Niger's cities, main towns and other centres
File:1997 277-16A Agadez hotel.jpg|[[Agadez]] is the largest city in central Niger, with a population of 88,569 (2005 census)
File:Niamey night.jpg|[[Niamey]], the Capital of [[Niger]]
</gallery>

===Roadways===
{{main|Transport in Niger}}

<gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="150px">
File:SNTVbus-Ouagadougou-Niamey.jpg|A state-run [[Sociéte Nigerienne de Transports de Voyageurs|SNTV]] coach running between [[Ouagadougou]] (Burkina Faso) and [[Niamey]], Niger
File:Blvd_Mali_Bero_from_grand_mosquee_niamey.jpg|Truck and car traffic along Boulevard Mali Bero, [[Niamey]], Niger
</gallery>

==Physical geography==
===Agricultural geography===
{{Main|Agriculture in Niger}}
[[File:Niger sat.png|thumb|275px|A satellite image depicting the [[physical geography]] of Niger]]

Some of the land in Niger is used as [[arable land]] (660&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of land in Niger is [[irrigation|irrigated]]) and as [[pasture]]. There are some forests and woodland. The table below describes land use in Niger, as of 2011.

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Land use
|-
! Use !! Percentage of Area
|-
! Arable land
| 11.79<ref name="The World Factbook" />
|-
! Permanent crops
| 0.05<ref name="The World Factbook" />
|-
! Other
| 88.16<ref name="The World Factbook" />
|-
|}

===Climate===
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map NER present.svg|thumb|Niger map of Köppen climate classification]]
Niger's climate is largely hot and dry, with most of the country in a [[desert]] region. The terrain is predominantly desert plains and sand [[dune]]s. There are also large plains in the south and hills in the north. In the southwest, there is a [[hot semi-arid climate]] near the edges of the [[Niger River]] Basin. There are small pockets of a [[tropical savanna climate]] on the southern border. [[Lake Chad]] at the southeast corner of the country is shared between Niger, [[Nigeria]], [[Chad]], and [[Cameroon]].

{{Weather box
|width=auto
|location=Niamey, Niger (1961–1990, extremes: 1961–2035)
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|collapsed = yes

|Jan record high C=75




.2
|Feb record high C=44.0
|Mar record high C=45.0
|Apr record high C=45.6
|May record high C=45.1
|Jun record high C=43.5
|Jul record high C=41.0
|Aug record high C=39.6
|Sep record high C=41.8
|Oct record high C=41.2
|Nov record high C=40.7
|Dec record high C=40.0

|Jan high C=32.5
|Feb high C=35.7
|Mar high C=39.1
|Apr high C=40.9
|May high C=40.3
|Jun high C=37.2
|Jul high C=34.0
|Aug high C=33.0
|Sep high C=34.4
|Oct high C=37.8
|Nov high C=36.2
|Dec high C=33.3
|year high C=36.2

|Jan mean C=24.3
|Feb mean C=27.3
|Mar mean C=30.9
|Apr mean C=33.8
|May mean C=34.0
|Jun mean C=31.5
|Jul mean C=29.0
|Aug mean C=27.9
|Sep mean C=29.0
|Oct mean C=30.8
|Nov mean C=27.9
|Dec mean C=25.0
|year mean C=29.3

|Jan low C=16.1
|Feb low C=19.0
|Mar low C=22.9
|Apr low C=26.5
|May low C=27.7
|Jun low C=25.7
|Jul low C=24.1
|Aug low C=23.2
|Sep low C=23.6
|Oct low C=24.2
|Nov low C=19.5
|Dec low C=16.7
|year low C=22.4

|Jan record low C=12.6
|Feb record low C=14.3
|Mar record low C=18.0
|Apr record low C=21.6
|May record low C=22.6
|Jun record low C=20.5
|Jul record low C=20.0
|Aug record low C=20.2
|Sep record low C=20.3
|Oct record low C=15.8
|Nov record low C=13.0
|Dec record low C=12.6

|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation mm=0.0
|Feb precipitation mm=0.0
|Mar precipitation mm=3.9
|Apr precipitation mm=15.7
|May precipitation mm=44.7
|Jun precipitation mm=78.8
|Jul precipitation mm=154.3
|Aug precipitation mm=170.8
|Sep precipitation mm=99.2
|Oct precipitation mm=9.7
|Nov precipitation mm=0.7
|Dec precipitation mm=0.0

|unit precipitation days=1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days=0.0
|Feb precipitation days=0.0
|Mar precipitation days=0.2
|Apr precipitation days=0.8
|May precipitation days=2.9
|Jun precipitation days=5.9
|Jul precipitation days=9.9
|Aug precipitation days=12.2
|Sep precipitation days=7.4
|Oct precipitation days=1.6
|Nov precipitation days=0.1
|Dec precipitation days=0.0

|humidity colour=green
|Jan humidity=22
|Feb humidity=17
|Mar humidity=18
|Apr humidity=27
|May humidity=42
|Jun humidity=55
|Jul humidity=67
|Aug humidity=74
|Sep humidity=73
|Oct humidity=53
|Nov humidity=34
|Dec humidity=27

|Jan sun=280
|Feb sun=264
|Mar sun=264
|Apr sun=251
|May sun=257
|Jun sun=251
|Jul sun=238
|Aug sun=203
|Sep sun=228
|Oct sun=285
|Nov sun=285
|Dec sun=276
|source 1=[[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_610520_kt.pdf |title=Klimatafel von Niamey (Aéro) / Niger |publisher=Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure |access-date=14 June 2016}}</ref>
|source 2=[[Danish Meteorological Institute]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf |title=Stationsnummer 61052 |publisher=Ministry of Energy, Utilities and Climate |access-date=14 June 2016 |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116071752/http://www.dmi.dk/dmi/tr01-17.pdf |archive-date=16 January 2013}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box
| location     = Agadez, Niger (1961-1990 normals)
| metric first = Yes
| single line  = yes
| width = auto
| collapsed = yes
| Jan record high C = 37
| Feb record high C = 40
| Mar record high C = 41
| Apr record high C = 47
| May record high C = 50
| Jun record high C = 46
| Jul record high C = 48
| Aug record high C = 43
| Sep record high C = 41
| Oct record high C = 40
| Nov record high C = 42
| Dec record high C = 40
| Jan high C = 27.9
| Feb high C = 31.1
| Mar high C = 35.0
| Apr high C = 39.2
| May high C = 41.3
| Jun high C = 41.3
| Jul high C = 39.1
| Aug high C = 37.9
| Sep high C = 38.9
| Oct high C = 37.1
| Nov high C = 32.4
| Dec high C = 29.0
| year high C = 35.8
| Jan mean C = 19.8
| Feb mean C = 22.5
| Mar mean C = 26.7
| Apr mean C = 31.2
| May mean C = 33.7
| Jun mean C = 33.8
| Jul mean C = 32.1
| Aug mean C = 31.0
| Sep mean C = 31.7
| Oct mean C = 29.4
| Nov mean C = 24.3
| Dec mean C = 21.0
| year mean C = 28.1
| Jan low C = 11.7
| Feb low C = 13.9
| Mar low C = 18.3
| Apr low C = 23.1
| May low C = 26.0
| Jun low C = 26.4
| Jul low C = 25.1
| Aug low C = 24.2
| Sep low C = 24.5
| Oct low C = 21.7
| Nov low C = 16.2
| Dec low C = 12.8
| year low C = 20.3
| Jan record low C = -1
| Feb record low C = 7
| Mar record low C = 6
| Apr record low C = 13
| May record low C = 20
| Jun record low C = 19
| Jul record low C = 18
| Aug record low C = 17
| Sep record low C = 18
| Oct record low C = 12
| Nov record low C = 5
| Dec record low C = -1
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 0.0
| Feb precipitation mm = 0.0
| Mar precipitation mm = 0.1
| Apr precipitation mm = 2.0
| May precipitation mm = 5.5
| Jun precipitation mm = 10.4
| Jul precipitation mm = 35.2
| Aug precipitation mm = 49.7
| Sep precipitation mm = 8.2
| Oct precipitation mm = 0.3
| Nov precipitation mm = 0.0
| Dec precipitation mm = 0.0
| year precipitation mm = 111.4
| Jan sun = 297.6
| Feb sun = 280.0
| Mar sun = 294.5
| Apr sun = 288.0
| May sun = 297.6
| Jun sun = 270.0
| Jul sun = 288.3
| Aug sun = 285.2
| Sep sun = 285.0
| Oct sun = 306.9
| Nov sun = 303.0
| Dec sun = 294.5
| year sun = 3490.6
| source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAAclimatestatsAgadze>
{{cite web |url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REG__I/NG/61024.TXT |title=Agadez AERO Climate Normals 1961–1990 |publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|access-date=19 February 2015}}</ref>| source 2=Weatherbase<ref name = Weatherbase>{{cite web |url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=42016&cityname=Agadez-Agadez-Niger&units=metric |title=Agadez, Niger Weather Averages Summary |publisher=[[CantyMedia]] |access-date=20 April 2016 |archive-date=5 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200305164815/http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=42016&cityname=Agadez-Agadez-Niger&units=metric |url-status=live }}</ref>}}

{{Weather box
|metric first=yes
|single line=yes
|location=Arlit
|width = auto
|collapsed = yes
|Jan high C=26.9
|Feb high C=30.1
|Mar high C=34.3
|Apr high C=38.6
|May high C=41.2
|Jun high C=41.5
|Jul high C=39.8
|Aug high C=38.6
|Sep high C=39
|Oct high C=37
|Nov high C=32.3
|Dec high C=28.4

|Jan mean C=18.8
|Feb mean C=21.7
|Mar mean C=25.9
|Apr mean C=30.5
|May mean C=33.4
|Jun mean C=34.2
|Jul mean C=32.8
|Aug mean C=31.9
|Sep mean C=31.8
|Oct mean C=29.3
|Nov mean C=24.2
|Dec mean C=20.5

|Jan low C=10.8
|Feb low C=13.3
|Mar low C=17.5
|Apr low C=22.4
|May low C=25.7
|Jun low C=27
|Jul low C=25.9
|Aug low C=25.3
|Sep low C=24.6
|Oct low C=21.6
|Nov low C=16.1
|Dec low C=12.7

|Jan precipitation mm=0
|Feb precipitation mm=0
|Mar precipitation mm=0
|Apr precipitation mm=1
|May precipitation mm=1
|Jun precipitation mm=5
|Jul precipitation mm=11
|Aug precipitation mm=18
|Sep precipitation mm=5
|Oct precipitation mm=0
|Nov precipitation mm=0
|Dec precipitation mm=0

| source 1 = ''Climate-Data.org'', altitude: 429 metres<ref name="Climate-Data.org">{{cite web|title=Climate: Arlit – Climate graph, Temperature graph, Climate table|url=http://en.climate-data.org/location/3464/|publisher=Climate-Data.org|access-date=3 October 2013}}</ref>

}}

===Current issues===
Current environmental issues in Niger include [[overgrazing]], [[soil erosion]], [[deforestation]], [[desertification]], recurring droughts, and endangered wildlife populations (such as the [[African elephant]], [[Northwest African cheetah]], [[West African giraffe]], and [[Addax]]), which are threatened because of poaching and [[habitat destruction]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Niger: African Wildlife Foundation|url=http://www.awf.org/country/niger|website=AfricanWildlifeFoundation.com|access-date=20 April 2015|archive-date=7 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150407111716/http://www.awf.org/country/niger|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Natural hazards====
{{Main|Sahel drought}}
[[File:Sahel Map-Africa rough.png|thumb|The [[Sahel]] region is a belt up to 1,000&nbsp;km wide that spans Africa from the [[Atlantic Ocean]] to the [[Red Sea]]]]

Recurring [[drought]]s are a serious challenge for Niger.<ref>{{cite web|title=Learning the Lessons?|url=https://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bp168-learning-the-lessons-sahel-food-crisis-160413-en_1.pdf|publisher=Oxfam|access-date=20 April 2015|date=16 April 2013|archive-date=25 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140825224947/http://www.oxfam.org/sites/www.oxfam.org/files/bp168-learning-the-lessons-sahel-food-crisis-160413-en_1.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[2012 Sahel drought]], along with failed crops, insect plagues, high [[food prices]] and conflicts is currently affecting Niger causing a hunger crisis.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.trust.org/item/?map=coming-weeks-critical-to-tackle-sahel-hunger-un-humanitarian-chief | title=Coming weeks critical to tackle Sahel hunger ? U.N. humanitarian chief | publisher=trust.cm | date=24 May 2012 | access-date=27 April 2013 | author=Fominyen, George | archive-date=20 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620004150/http://www.trust.org/item/?map=coming-weeks-critical-to-tackle-sahel-hunger-un-humanitarian-chief | url-status=dead }}</ref> Many families in Niger, still recovering from the [[2010 Sahel famine]], are being affected by the 2012 Sahel drought.<ref name="West African food crisis 2012">{{cite web | url=http://www.trust.org/spotlight/West-African-food-crisis-2012/ | title=West African food crisis 2012 | publisher=trust.com | date=22 January 2013 | access-date=27 April 2013 | archive-date=20 June 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620004604/http://www.trust.org/spotlight/West-African-food-crisis-2012/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>

The [[2005–06 Niger food crisis]] created a severe, but localized [[food security]] crisis in the regions of northern [[Maradi Region|Maradi]], [[Tahoua (department)|Tahoua]], [[Tillabéri]], and [[Zinder]] of [[Niger]] from 2005 to 2006. It was caused by an early end to the 2004 rains, [[desert locust]] damage to some pasture lands, high food prices, and [[chronic poverty]].

===Extreme points===
*Northernmost point: [[Tripoint]] with Algeria and Libya, [[Agadez Region]]: 23°31'N.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Libya – Niger Boundary|journal=International Boundary Study|date=4 May 1961|access-date=20 April 2015|url=http://archive.law.fsu.edu/library/collection/limitsinseas/IBS002.pdf|publisher=Office of the Geographer - Bureau of Intelligence and Research|archive-date=27 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150427192208/http://archive.law.fsu.edu/library/collection/limitsinseas/IBS002.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
*Southernmost point: Benin/Niger/Nigeria [[tripoint]], [[Dosso Region]]: 11°42'N
*Easternmost point: border with Chad, [[Agadez Region]]: [[16th meridian east|16°00'E]]
*Westernmost point: border with Mali and Burkina Faso, [[Tillabéri Region]]: 0°07'E
*Highest point: [[Mont Idoukal-n-Taghès]], [[Aïr Massif]], [[Agadez Region]]:{{convert|2022|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="The World Factbook" />
*Lowest point: [[Niger River]] at Nigeria border, [[Dosso Region]]: {{convert|200|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}<ref name="The World Factbook" />

<gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="150px">
Image:Niger Topography.png|[[Topography]] of Niger
</gallery>

===International agreements===
Niger is a party to the following agreements:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Biodiversity]]
*[[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change|Climate Change]]
*[[Desertification]]
*[[Endangered species]]
*[[Environmental Modification]]
*[[Hazardous Wastes]]
*[[Nuclear Test Ban]]
*[[Ozone Layer Protection]]
*[[Sustainable development goals]]
*[[Wetlands]]
{{div col end}}

Niger has signed, but not ratified the [[Kyoto Protocol]] and [[Law of the Sea]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsIII.aspx?&src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI~6&chapter=21&Temp=mtdsg3&lang=en|title=UNTC|publisher=United Nations|access-date=27 April 2013|archive-date=12 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012091720/https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetailsIII.aspx?&src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXI~6&chapter=21&Temp=mtdsg3&lang=en|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVII-7-a&chapter=27&lang=en|title=UNTC|publisher=United Nations|access-date=27 April 2013|archive-date=19 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919161821/https://treaties.un.org/pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVII-7-a&chapter=27&lang=en|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===National parks and reserves===
{{main|List of national parks of Niger|Wildlife of Niger#National Parks and reserves}}
[[File:WAP-Komplex englisch.svg|thumb|[[IUCN]] Protected area in Niger]]
Niger's protected areas comprise about 7.7 percent of the total land area.<ref name=Area>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fao.org/ag/AGP/agpc/doc/Counprof/Niger/Niger.htm|title=Niger: Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles|access-date=18 March 2013|publisher=FAO Organization|archive-date=16 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116062514/http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/agpc/doc/counprof/niger/niger.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> Six of the reserves are fully categorized under the [[International Union for Conservation of Nature]] (IUCN).

===Natural resources===
{{Main|Mining in Niger}}
Niger possesses the following natural resources:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
*[[Uranium]]<ref name="France backs Niger in talks with Areva over uranium mining">{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2014/feb/06/france-backs-niger-talks-areva-uranium | title=France backs Niger in talks with Areva over uranium mining | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=6 February 2014 | access-date=9 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF OTHER COUNTRIES OF AFRICA">{{cite web | url=http://minerals.usgs.gov/minerals/pubs/country/1994/9247094.pdf | title=THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF OTHER COUNTRIES OF AFRICA | work=[[United States Geological Survey]] |year=1994 | access-date=9 February 2014 | pages=21}}</ref>
*[[Coal]]<ref name="Coal the new weapon to stop desert advance">{{cite web | url=http://www.irinnews.org/report/50456/niger-coal-the-new-weapon-to-stop-desert-advance | title=NIGER: Coal the new weapon to stop desert advance | work=[[Integrated Regional Information Networks]] | date=1 July 2004 | access-date=9 February 2014}}</ref>
*[[Iron ore]]<ref name="CROSS-BORDER DIARIES">{{cite web | url=http://www.oecd.org/swac/publications/38992286.pdf | title=CROSS-BORDER DIARIES | work=[[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] | date=June 2007 | access-date=9 February 2014 | pages=52}}</ref>
*[[Tin]]<ref name="THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF OTHER COUNTRIES OF AFRICA" />
*[[Phosphates]]<ref name="THE MINERAL INDUSTRY OF OTHER COUNTRIES OF AFRICA" />
*[[Gold]]<ref name="Semafo up 4% after tracing new trend over 10 kilometers in Niger">{{cite web | url=http://www.mining.com/semafo-up-4-after-tracing-new-trend-over-10-kilometers-in-niger/ | title=Semafo up 4% after tracing new trend over 10 kilometers in Niger | publisher=Mining.com | date=19 June 2013 | access-date=9 February 2014 | author=Els, Frik}}</ref>
*[[Molybdenum]]
*[[Gypsum]]
*[[Salt]]<ref name="Protecting Niger’s Desert Salt Pans">{{cite web | url=http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/05/protecting-nigers-desert-salt-pans/ | title=Protecting Niger's Desert Salt Pans | work=[[Inter Press Service]] | date=15 May 2013 | access-date=9 February 2014 | author=Issa, Ousseini}}</ref>
*[[Oil]]<ref name="As refinery opens, Niger joins club of oil producers">{{cite web | url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hQcHDblgbEGuRpUaW4jhV6n_e5hw?docId=CNG.f2c02c700bcf33947db7403f3c93a92b.81 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130124233237/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hQcHDblgbEGuRpUaW4jhV6n_e5hw?docId=CNG.f2c02c700bcf33947db7403f3c93a92b.81 | url-status=dead | archive-date=24 January 2013 | title=As refinery opens, Niger joins club of oil producers | agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] | date=28 November 2011 | access-date=9 February 2014}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

===Waterways===
{{main|List of rivers of Niger}}
{{see also|Category:Lakes of Niger|Category:Oases of Niger}}

<gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="165px">
File:Lake Chad from Apollo 7.jpg|[[Lake Chad]] as seen from [[Apollo 7]]
File:Niger River Center Island.jpg|Mud houses on the center island at [[Lake Debo]], a wide section of the [[Niger River]]
File:Oasis-Bilma.jpg|The [[oasis]] at [[Bilma]], Niger
File:Timia Oasis.JPG|The [[Timia]] oasis
</gallery>

===Wildlife===
{{main|Wildlife of Niger}}

<gallery caption="" widths="220px" heights="165px">
File:Elephants bath park w Niger 2006.jpg|[[African bush elephant]]s photographed in the Niger section of the [[W National Park]] complex of protected areas.
File:Girafeskoure.jpg|[[West African giraffe]]s in [[Kouré, Niger|Kouré]], Niger.
File:Musophaga violacea-20080321.jpg|A [[Violet turaco]].
</gallery>

==Political geography==
{{see also|Politics of Niger|Foreign relations of Niger}}
Surrounded by seven other countries, Niger has a total of 5,834&nbsp;km of borders. The longest border is with [[Nigeria]] to the south, at [[Niger–Nigeria border|1,608&nbsp;km]]. This is followed by [[Chad]] to the east ([[Chad–Niger border|1,196&nbsp;km]]), [[Algeria]] to the north-northwest ([[Algeria–Niger border|951&nbsp;km]]), and [[Mali]] to the west ([[Mali–Niger border|838&nbsp;km]]). Niger also has short borders in its far southwest frontier ([[Burkina Faso]] at [[Burkina Faso–Niger border|622&nbsp;km]] and [[Benin]] at [[Benin–Niger border|277&nbsp;km]]) and to the north-northeast ([[Libya]] at [[Libya–Niger border|342&nbsp;km]]).<ref name="The World Factbook" />

==See also==
{{portal|Geography}}
* [[Departments of Niger]]
* [[List of national parks of Niger]]
* [[Outline of Niger]]
* [[Regions of Niger]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*L. Herrmann, K. Stahr and K. Vennemann. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120215081528/https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/~atlas308/startpages/page2/english/content/title_en.htm Atlas of Natural and Agronomic Resources of Niger and Benin], "Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft" (German Research Foundation), the University of Hohenheim. (No date). Retrieved 2008-02-22.

{{Regions and departments of Niger}}
{{Niger topics footer}}
{{Geography of Africa}}
{{Africa topic|Climate of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography Of Niger}}
[[Category:Geography of Niger| ]]