Ni·ger (n  j r, n -zhâr) A country of west-central Africa. The Tuareg and Hausa established states in the late Middle Ages, and the region was dominated by the Songhai and Bornu empires in the 16th century. Niger came under the French sphere of influence after the Conference of Berlin (1884-1885) and was made a separate colony within French West Africa in 1922. It achieved independence in 1960. Niamey is the capital and the largest city. Population: 12,900,000. |   |
Niger
n
1. (Placename) a landlocked republic in West Africa: important since earliest times for its trans-Saharan trade routes; made a French colony in 1922 and became fully independent in 1960; exports peanuts and livestock. Official language: French. Religion: Muslim majority. Currency: franc. Capital: Niamey. Pop.: 10 355 000 (2001 est.). Area: 1 267 000 sq. km (489 000 sq. miles)
2. (Placename) a river in West Africa, rising in S Guinea and flowing in a great northward curve through Mali, then southwest through Niger and Nigeria to the Gulf of Guinea: the third longest river in Africa, with the largest delta, covering an area of 36 260 sq. km (14 000 sq. miles). Length: 4184 km (2600 miles)
3. (Placename) a state of W central Nigeria, formed in 1976 from part of North-Western State. Capital: Minna. Pop.: 2 775 526 (1995 est.). Area: 76 363 sq. km (29 476 sq. miles)
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Noun | 1. |  Niger - an African river; flows into the South AtlanticBenin, Dahomey, Republic of Benin - a country on western coast of Africa; formerly under French control French Guinea, Republic of Guinea, Guinea - a republic in western Africa on the Atlantic; formerly a French colony; achieved independence from France in 1958 French Sudan, Mali, Republic of Mali - a landlocked republic in northwestern Africa; achieved independence from France in 1960; Mali was a center of West African civilization for more than 4,000 years Republic of Niger, Niger - a landlocked republic in West Africa; gained independence from France in 1960; most of the country is dominated by the Sahara Desert Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria - a republic in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea; gained independence from Britain in 1960; most populous African country |
| 2. | Niger - a landlocked republic in West Africa; gained independence from France in 1960; most of the country is dominated by the Sahara Desert capital of Niger, Niamey - the capital and largest city of Niger Africa - the second largest continent; located to the south of Europe and bordered to the west by the South Atlantic and to the east by the Indian Ocean Niger, Niger River - an African river; flows into the South Atlantic Nigerien - a native or inhabitant of Niger |
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