Ranked as a developing country and consistently placed near the bottom in the United Nations Human Development Index, Niger is a small country landlocked in West Africa. Bordered by Libya, Chad, Nigeria, Benin and Burkina Faso, it has a population of 21 million people predominantly Islamic.
Niger faces serious development challenges due to its desert terrain, inefficient agriculture, high fertility rates without birth control which has resulted in overpopulation.
Its largest city, Niamey, reflects a diversity of people from different groups and regions. Historically, what is now Niger has been on the fringes of several large states. Since independence, Nigeriens have lived under five constitutions and three periods of military rule.
Despite all the challenges, Niger has a few historical sites you might want to visit.
