Niger Country & Tourist Information

Location
Central Africa.

Area
1,267,000 sq km (489,191 sq miles).

Population
12.9 million (UN estimate 2005).

Population Density
10.2 per sq km.

Capital
Niamey.
Population: 890,000 (UN estimate 2003).

Government
Republic since 1960.

Language
The official languages are French and Arabic. Also spoken are Hausa (by half of the population), Djerma, Fulani, Manga, Zarma and Tuareg dialects.

Religion
Approximately 95% Muslim, with Christian and animist minorities.

Time
GMT + 1.

Electricity
220 volts AC, 50Hz; Round two-pin plugs are used.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Hama Amadou since 2000.

Head of State
President Mamadou Tandja since 1999.

Recent History
Alleged attempts by Iraq to procure uranium from Niger were the subject of controversy in 2003. Mamadou Tandja won a second (and final) term in the December 2004 presidential elections. While he has been praised for bringing stability to Niger, the country remains one of the poorest and least developed in the world. Its susceptibility to drought and famine was again exposed in 2005 and 2006, leaving the country in a weakened state.

Telephone
Country code: 227 (no area codes).

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to urban areas.

Internet
Internet access can be found in major urban areas.

Media
The state controls the main TV and radio stations, but private radio stations are on the increase. Low literacy levels mean radio is the most important news outlet.

Post
Airmail to Western Europe takes up to two weeks.

Post office hours: Generally 0730-1230 and 1530-1800.

Press
• Le Sahel is state run.
• Le Républicain is a weekly publication.

Radio
• La Voix du Sahel is a state-run, national station.
• Private stations include Anfani FM, Horizon FM and Tenere FM.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
9 Mar Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Mohammed). 
10 Apr Easter Monday.
24 Apr National Concord Day.
1 May Labor Day.
3 Aug Independence Day.
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
28 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Republic Day. 
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day.
26 Feb Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet Mohammed). 
5 Apr Easter Monday.
24 Apr National Concord Day.
1 May Labor Day.
3 Aug Independence Day.
11 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan).
17 Nov Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
18 Dec Republic Day. 
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
(a) Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Eid al-Fitr itself. Eid al-Fitr and Tabaski may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. (b) Niger’s small Christian community also observes Easter, Whitsun, Ascension, Assumption, All Saints’ Day and Christmas.

Contact Information:

Office National du Tourisme (National Tourist Office)
Avenue du Président H Luebke, BP 612, Niamey, Niger
Tel: 732 447.

Embassy of the Republic of Niger in France
154 rue du Longchamp, 75116 Paris, France
Tel: (01) 4504 8060.

Embassy of the Republic of Niger in the USA
2204 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 483 4224.
Website: www.nigerembassyusa.org


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