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• The Niger River is third longest river in Africa, after the Nile River and the Congo River.FAO (United Nations): The Niger River Basin It extends about 2600 miles, passing through Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria.MSN Encarta: Niger (river)

• Fast Facts

  1. Country: Niger
  2. Language: French, Hausa, Djerma
  3. Currency: West African CFA franc
  4. Time zone: WET
  5. Length: 4,180 km
  6. Basin: 2,117,700 km²
  7. Third longest river in AfricaEncarta: Niger River
  8. Niger River basin covers 7.5% of AfricaFAO (United Nations): The Niger River Basin
  9. Contains over two hundred fifty species of fishWorld Wildlife Fund: Niger River
  10. On the migration path of several hundreds of thousands of birdsWorld Wildlife Fund: Niger River
  11. Niger originates in the highlands of southern GuineaEncarta: Niger

• Significance

  The river is used as a transportation route, a source of food and a source of energy. The drainage basin of the river contains two deltas, an inland delta and a coastal delta. The coastal delta is the largest in Africa, spanning over 120 miles.

• Under Threat

  Many West African people rely on the river, but overfishing, agriculture, pollution and construction of dams are threatening its health. The greatest threat is the oil production in the Niger Delta.National Geographic Xpeditions: Navigating the Niger River Lesson Plans The river has also been threatened by drought. The river's water flow has fallen over the past twenty years due to climate change and population increases.Africa News: $1.4bn Okayed to Save Drying Niger River

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Africa | Guinea | Mali | Niger | Benin | Nigeria | Timbuktu |Algeria | Chad | Nile River | Congo River

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