Travel in Niamey Niger Culture

Niamey - Culture

Niger is a developing, inland African nation whose northern area includes a part of the Sahara Desert. Tourism facilities are minimal, particularly outside of Niamey. Bridges across the Niger are infrequent, and most crossings along the river's length are by boat. In Niamey, Niger, there is just this one bridge linking the two riverbanks, and it is crossed by vehicles, people, and camels such as this one, which is carrying hay destined for consumption by domestic livestock within the city. The Niger is used as a transport artery in a region largely without good roads, or roads that are impassable during the six-month May - October wet season. The river also provides drinking water for humans and livestock, and fishing communities can be found along its length. Niamey is a critical crime post.

Tourists should not walk alone around the Gaweye Hotel, National Museum, and on or near the Kennedy Bridge at any time. This area is especially prone to muggings (day and night) and should be avoided. Recent criminal events in Niger have included carjackings, home invasions, and muggings. Armed bandits are still active in northern and eastern Niger, especially on roads between major cities. Caution and common sense must be used at all times in order to avoid thieves and pick-pockets.Local culture and Islamic tradition encourage conservative dress for both men and women.

There have been incidents of harassment of African women wearing Western clothes in the conservative towns along the southern border with Nigeria Niamey, city, capital of NIGER, southwestern Niger, on the Niger River. A river port and road and trade center, Niamey is the southern terminus of a short railroad northwest to Tillabιri. The city manufactures and bricks, goods, charcoal, metal products, soft drinks, and milled . Livestock, hides and skins, grain, vegetables, and locally made mats and textiles are exported.

The climate of Niger is hot and, in most areas, dry. Rainfall, negligible in the north, increases to 813 mm (32 in) a year in the south. In the south a rainy season lasts from June to October. The average annual temperature at Niamey, in the southeast, is 29.4° C (85° F).The northern desert of Niger has little vegetation. In the south are extensive savanna grasslands and, in the lowlands, a variety of trees, including baobab, tamarind, kepok, and a species of mahogany. Animal life includes elephant, buffalo, antelope, giraffe, and lion.

Niger has diverse mineral resources, most of which remain to be exploited. Large deposits of high-grade uranium ore are found in the north. Other minerals present include coal, tin, gold, phosphate, iron ore, and copper.Niger may be divided into three zones, the northern, central, and southern. The northern zone, covering more than half of the total area of the republic, lies within the sahara. It is a highland region of plateaus and mountains and, except in scattered oases, has little vegetation. In this zone is Monts Bagzane (2,022 m/6,634 ft), the highest elevation in the country.

Click To Go Back