Languages & Cultures Primarily French (official), Hausa & Djerma Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 1,200 French expatriates
Government Republic of Niger Capital is Niamey 8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district* (commune urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder Based on French civil law system and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdictio. President TANDJA Mamadou (since 22 December 1999); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government. Prime Minister Hama AMADOU (since 31 December 1999) was appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president. Chief of mission: Ambassador Joseph DIATTA
chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227
FAX: [1] (202)483-3169 Chief of mission: Ambassador Gail Dennise Thomas MATHIEU
Embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey
mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey
telephone: [227] 72 26 61 through 72 26 64
FAX: [227] 73 31 67, 72-31-46 Contact National Holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958)
Medical Status (resource) : Hospitals are in Niamey and Zinder. Only the main centers have reasonable medical facilities. Life expectancy 42.13 years Major Infectious diseases: food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne disease: malaria is a high risk in some locations respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)
The Niger Red Cross has a three year development plan (2000-2002) Health services are provided by the government and the private sector.
| Economic Development Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world, a landlocked Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Drought cycles, desertification, a 3.3% population growth rate, and the drop in world demand for uranium have undercut the economy. Labor force by occupation: agriculture 90%, industry and commerce 6%, government 4% Population below poverty level: 63% (1993 est.) Common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven other members of the West African Monetary Union. In December 2000. Agricultural products: cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry; Industrial production: uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses; Exports: uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions; Import Partners: France 17.4%, Cote d'Ivoire 11.3%, Italy 8.4%, Nigeria 7.3%, Germany 6.5%, US 5.5%, China 4.8% (2004); Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources.
Hosanna Institute of the Sahel Developments: Traveling to Niger: 
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