Niamey - City of Niger

Niamey is the capital of the West African nation of Niger. It is Niger's largest city, lying on the Niger River, mostly on the east bank. It is an administrative, cultural and economic center. The city itself is governed as an autonomous first-level administrative block: the Niamey Urban Community. It includes five Urban Communes, divided into 44 "Districts" and 99 "Quartiers", including formerly independent towns.

The city is located in a pearl millet growing region, while manufacturing industries include bricks, ceramic goods, cement and weaving.

Niamey was probably founded in the eighteenth century, but was of little importance to most of the country until the French developed a colonial post in the 1890s. This rapidly grew into an important center.

Attractions in the city include the Niger National Museum, incorporating a zoo, a museum of vernacular architecture, a craft centre, and exhibits including dinosaur skeletons and the Tree of Ténéré. There are also American, French and Nigerien cultural centres, two major markets, and a traditional wrestling arena.

The city is also the site of Diori Hamani International Airport, the National School of Administration, Abdou Moumouni University of Niamey, which lies on the right bank of the river, and many institutes.

In December 2005 it was the host of the Jeux de la Francophonie.

The Grand Mosque of 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.Niamey comprises a special capital district of Niger, which is surrounded by the department of Tillabéri.

More than 90% of Niger is populated by Muslims, and as such Niamey hosts the largest mosque in the country : the Grand Mosque of Niamey. The city also has a Roman Catholic bishop