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Niamey facts for kids

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Niamey
Niamey at night
Niamey at night
Country  Niger
Region Niamey Urban Community
Communes Urbaines 5 Communes
Districts 44 Districts
Quartiers 99 Quarters
Government
 • Type Appointed district government, elected city council, elected commune and quarter councils
Area
Niamey Urban Community
 • Total 239.30 km2 (92.39 sq mi)
Elevation
207 m (679 ft)
Population
 (2006 estimate)
 • Total 774,235
 • Density 2,597/km2 (6,730/sq mi)
  Niamey Urban Community
Time zone UTC+1 (WAT)
Area code(s) 20

Niamey is the capital city of the African country of Niger. It is Niger's largest city. The city is on the Niger River. Naimey is the administrative, cultural and economic center of the country. The city has 674,950 people.

The city is in a pearl millet growing region. Manufacturing industries in the city include bricks, ceramic goods, cement and weaving.

History

Niamey was probably founded during the 18th century. It was of little importance until the French created a colonial post there in the 1890s. The city grew quickly after that happened. In 1926, it became the capital of Niger. The number of people grew slowly from about 3,000 people in 1930 to around 30,000 in 1960, 250,000 in 1980 and 675,000 in 2002. The major cause of the increase has been immigration during droughts.

Things to see

Things to see in the city include the Niger National Museum. The museum includes a zoo, a museum of vernacular architecture, a craft centre, and displays including dinosaur skeletons and the Tree of Ténéré. The city also has American, French and Nigerien cultural centres, two major markets, and a traditional wrestling arena .

The city is the site of Diori Hamani International Airport, the National School of Administration, and Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey.


Images for kids

  • Mittelholzer-niamey

    Niamey in December 1930. The large house in the centre is the French governor's residence. Air photo taken by Swiss pilot and photographer Walter Mittelholzer.

  • Niger, Niamey, Place du Liptako-Gourma (2)

    Place du Liptako-Gourma

  • Pont de l'amitié Chine-Niger - Niamey from the Sky

    The Friendship Bridge

  • Niamey SPOT 1101

    Niamey seen from Spot Satellite

  • Niger, Niamey, Rue NB-26 (2)

    Niamey marketplace

  • Zoo du Musée national de Niamey

    Niger National Museum

  • Old Presidential Palace in Niamey - Mapillary (1zunKARfz0wkJExHFVEFng)

    Old presidential palace

  • Niameyairport 2005 crop

    Niamey airport

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Niamey para niños

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