Although named after the Niger River which flows in the country's south-west, Niger is predominantly a desert country, with the Sahara Desert occupying about 80 per cent of the country's landmass. Niger's capital city is Niamey.

Niger's economy is focused to a large extent on subsistence crops, livestock and uranium mining (the country has some of the world's largest uranium reserves). Niger also has substantial reserves of oil and other resources.

French-speaking Niger is a member of La Francophonie, the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union.

Australia's Ambassador to Niger is resident in Abuja, in neighbouring Nigeria.

Travel information

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