Niger Capital

The capital city of Niger is Niamey. It is the largest city in the country located on the east banks of River Niger. Niamey is a political, cultural, and economic center in the country. The French established the city in 1926, but after the country gained independence in 1960, it was maintained as the capital city.

Niamey has a population of 1,302,910 people. The figures represent a steady increase in residents migrating to the city. Since independence, the city’s population has been dramatically affected by different factors from the drought in the 1970s, as well as the economic crisis in 1980s. The population grew from 3,000 people in the 1930s to 30,000 in 1960s. By 2000 the population had reached 800,000 and the estimates of 2011 put the figures at more than 1.3 million people with a population density of 14,000 people per square mile.

Tourist attraction sites in the city include the Niger National Museum, vernacular architecture, and a traditional wrestling arena. The city also has several markets which one can visit to buy some commodities including the Niamey grand market. There are also Nigerian, American, and French cultural centers.

Niamey experiences a hot semi-arid climate. The city receives 252.1 millimeters of rainfall annually. The rainy season starts from June to September with August being the wettest month. The dry season starts from September to June with May being the warmest month of the year. Niamey also experiences strong winds from November to April with the windiest month being January. The best months to visit the city are from December to January.