What are facts about the Niger River?
- Most of the Niger River is used for commercial shipping.
- In 1822, Alexander G. ...
- In 1830 two English explorers, John and Richard Lander established the lower course of the Niger by canoeing down the river from Yauri to the Atlantic Ocean, via the Nun ...
- Towards the end of the 19th century, two German explorers, Heinrich Barth and Eduard R. ...
Who discovered the source of River Niger?
Who discovered the source of the River Niger? FunTrivia » Questions » Geography » Africa » Nigeria. The answer is: Lander Brothers. Interesting Information: ...
What was the result of the Niger River?
The Inland Delta of the Niger River spreads across central Mali — a unique ecosystem in West Africa. A result of the Niger River flowing into the sandy Sahelian plains, this vast network of channels, swamps, and lakes mitigates the severity of the arid climate and forms the second largest interior delta in Africa.
Why do people use the Niger River?
The Niger is used by the population for agriculture irrigation, livestock sustainment, fishing, and other general uses. This area has seen a tremendous population increase in past years and is still increasing today. As population increases, use of the river also increases.
Who named the river Niger?
The Niger is believed to have been named by the Greeks. Along its course it is known by several names. These include the Joliba (Malinke: “great river”) in its upper course; the Mayo Balleo and the Isa Eghirren in its central reach; and the Kwarra, Kworra, or Quorra in its lower stretch.
Is Nigeria named after the Niger river?
The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British journalist Flora Shaw, who later married Baron Frederick Lugard, a British colonial administrator.
Where is river Niger come from?
The Niger River, with a total length of about 4100 km, is the third-longest river in Africa, after the Nile and the Congo/Zaire Rivers, and the longest and largest river in West Africa. The source of the Niger River farthest away from the mouth is in the mountains of Guinea near the border with Sierra Leone.
Why is Niger called Niger?
The country takes its name from the Niger River, which flows through the southwestern part of its territory. The name Niger derives in turn from the phrase gher n-gheren, meaning “river among rivers,” in the Tamashek language.
What was Nigeria original name?
Thus, before the name Nigeria was given by Flora, the entire land under its administration was known as the Royal Niger protectorate.
What was Africa original name?
AlkebulanIn Kemetic History of Afrika, Dr cheikh Anah Diop writes, “The ancient name of Africa was Alkebulan. Alkebu-lan “mother of mankind” or “garden of Eden”.” Alkebulan is the oldest and the only word of indigenous origin. It was used by the Moors, Nubians, Numidians, Khart-Haddans (Carthagenians), and Ethiopians.
What are 5 facts about the Niger river?
Niger River Facts The Niger River is 2,597 miles long. It is the third-longest river in Africa, behind the Nile and the Congo Rivers. The source of the Niger River is the Guinea Highlands in Guinea. The river discharges at the Niger Delta in Nigeria, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Guinea.
Who first discovered the river Niger?
Mungo ParkMungo Park (explorer)Mungo ParkBorn11 September 1771 Selkirkshire, ScotlandDied1806 (aged 35) Bussa, NigeriaAlma materUniversity of EdinburghKnown forExploration of West Africa4 more rows
Who named Nigeria?
journalist Flora ShawLike so many modern African states, Nigeria is the creation of European imperialism. Its very name – after the great Niger River, the country's dominating physical feature – was suggested in the 1890s by British journalist Flora Shaw, who later became the wife of colonial governor Frederick Lugard.
What is Niger in the Bible?
The nickname Niger is interpreted by some to mean "black", referring to a dark complexion or African descent, since niger is the Latin word for black. Some commentators identify Simeon as the same person as Simon of Cyrene, and Simon's son Rufus as the same person as Rufus named in Romans 16.
What do you call a man from Niger?
Though “Nigerien” is the formal name for a resident of Niger, other sources such as the BBC and Associated Press often refer to the country's residents as “Nigerois” to create a clear difference between residents of Niger and Nigeria.
What do u call people from Niger?
NigerRepublic of the Niger République du Niger (French)Demonym(s)NigerienGovernmentUnitary semi-presidential republic• PresidentMohamed Bazoum• Prime MinisterOuhoumoudou Mahamadou38 more rows
Who gave the name Nigeria?
The name “Nigeria” was coined by the future Lady Lugard in an 1897 London Times article. With Lord Lugard's arbitrary conception of Nigeria in mind, one can begin to see the many and varied problems colonialism created in Nigeria, across West Africa, and around the world.
What are 5 facts about the Niger river?
Niger River Facts The Niger River is 2,597 miles long. It is the third-longest river in Africa, behind the Nile and the Congo Rivers. The source of the Niger River is the Guinea Highlands in Guinea. The river discharges at the Niger Delta in Nigeria, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean via the Gulf of Guinea.
Why does river Niger and river Benue not mix?
Another scientist says "This happens because of the major difference in the size , density and temperature of their flow. These differences mean that the two rivers meet and do not mix. The Niger River and the Benue River do not merge, they flow separately.
Who discovered Nigeria?
The West African territory now known as Nigeria was first discovered in 1472 by researchers from Portugal who were seeking a sea route to Asia. Their names are Joao de Santarem, Lopo Goncalves, Pero Escobar and Fernao do Po.
What is the Niger River used for?
The Niger River in the western region of Africa is used for irrigation, power production, and transportation. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. See all videos for this article. Niger River, principal river of western Africa. With a length of 2,600 miles (4,200 km), it is the third longest river in Africa, after the Nile and the Congo.
Where is the Niger located?
The Niger rises in Guinea at 9°05′ N and 10°47′ W on the eastern side of the Fouta Djallon (Guinea) highlands, only 150 miles (240 km) inland from the Atlantic Ocean. Issuing as the Tembi from a deep ravine 2,800 feet (850 metres) above sea level, it flows due north over the first 100 miles (160 km).
How long is the Niger Delta?
It emerges at Aboh, separating into many branches before reaching the Gulf of Guinea via Africa’s largest delta. The Niger delta, which stretches for nearly 150 miles (240 km) from north to south and spreads along the coast for about 200 miles (320 km), extends over an area of 14,000 square miles (36,000 square km).
How far is Jebba from the Kaduna River?
About 70 miles (110 km) from Jebba it is joined by the Kaduna River —an important tributary that contributes about one-fourth of the annual discharge of the river below the Niger-Kaduna confluence—and about 25 miles (40 km) above Lokoja the river turns to the south.
What is the climate of the Niger basin?
Within the Niger basin, climate shows great variability. Mean annual precipitation levels decrease northward from more than 160 inches (4,100 mm) in the delta area to less than 10 inches (250 mm) in Timbuktu. Both the upper and the lower stretches of the river, however, drain areas with more than 50 inches (1,300 mm) of precipitation per year. The middle Niger is an area where precipitation decreases and is also the sector where the greatest amount of evaporation takes place. It is estimated that in the lake region the Niger loses some two-thirds of the annual volume of discharge that flows past Mopti.
What is the Niger drainage system?
Together with its tributaries, the Niger drains a total area of some 730,000 square miles (1,900,000 square km). The Niger drainage system is bounded in the south by such highlands as the Fouta Djallon, the Banfora Cliffs in Burkina Faso, the Plateau of Yorubaland, and the Cameroon highlands. This southern rampart forms a watershed separating the rivers of the Niger system from others that flow directly southward to the Atlantic Ocean. With the exception of such highlands as the Jos Plateau, the Iforas and Aïr massifs, and the Ahaggar Mountains to the north and east, the northern edge of the Niger basin is, however, less clearly defined than the southern edge.
What is the name of the river that flows through Mopti?
At Mopti the Niger is joined by the Bani, its largest tributary on the right, after which it enters a region of lakes, creeks, and backwaters that is often called the “internal delta” of the Niger. These lakes are chiefly on the left bank and are connected to the river by channels that undergo seasonal changes in the direction of flow.
Where does the Niger River come from?
Beginning in the West African country of Guinea, the source of the Niger is about 240 km (150 miles) inward from the Atlantic Ocean. From the highlands near Kissidougou in Guinea, the Niger moves further up into the Sahara Desert. Midway in Mali, the Niger River makes a sharp turn around Timbuktu downwards into Niger.
What is the Niger River?
The Niger River is a very important water body located in West Africa. With a length of about 2597 miles, the river is considered the 3rd longest in Africa. The river has presence in 5 west African countries – Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria. The significance of the Niger River cannot be overemphasized.
Where did the name come from?
They called the first one ‘Gir’ and the second “Nigir”. In the Tuareg language, the name of the Niger River may have come from the phrase, gher n gheren (“rivers of rivers”).
What is the significance of the Niger River?
The significance of the Niger River cannot be overemphasized. For centuries, the Niger River has sustained powerful West African empires such as the Old Ghana Empire, the Songhai Empire and the Mali Empire.
Why is the Niger Delta called the oil river?
The region is rich with vast oil deposits. It is for this reason why the area has been sometimes called “Oil Rivers”. It has been estimated that millions of barrels of oil get extracted on a daily basis in the Niger Delta. The oil alone from the Niger Delta accounts for a huge portion of Nigeria’s exports.
How big is the Niger Delta?
The size of the Niger Delta stands at 70,000 square kilometers (27,000 sq mi). At that size, it is equivalent to about 7.5% of Nigeria’s land mass. In addition to fishing and farming, the Niger Delta has for decades been a big boast to the economy of Nigeria. The region is rich with vast oil deposits.
Why is the Niger River so strange?
Experts believe that the Niger River’s strange route is because it formed from the combination of two very ancient rivers.
Who named the river Niger?
The Niger is believed to have been named by the Greeks. Along its course it is known by several names. These include the Joliba (Malinke: “great river”) in its upper course; the Mayo Balleo and the Isa Eghirren in its central reach; and the Kwarra, Kworra, or Quorra in its lower stretch.
Is Niger named after the Niger river?
The nations of Nigeria and Niger are named after the river. The people who live along it have a variety of names for it, notably Jeliba in Manding, Isa Ber (“big river” in Songhay), Joliba (a Mandigo word meaning Great River), and Kworra or Quorra.
When did Niger get its name?
The name Niger derives in turn from the phrase gher n-gheren, meaning “river among rivers,” in the Tamashek language.
What are 5 facts about the Niger river?
Niger River facts for kids Quick facts for kids Niger River or Fleuve Niger (Joliba, Orimiri, Isa Ber, Oya, gher n gheren) River Length 4,180 km (2,597 mi) Basin 2,117,700 km² (817,649 sq mi) Discharge for Niger Delta.
What was Nigeria called before Nigeria?
What was its name before Nigeria? The former name for Nigeria was the Royal Niger Company Territories. It does not sound like a country name at all! The name Nigeria was replaced and preserved up until today.
Who founded Niger?
The first European explorers to the land were British explorer Mungo Park and German explorer Heinrich Barth in the 1800s. The French showed up later and began to colonize the area. In 1922 Niger became a French colony.
Is Niger safe to live?
Do not travel to Niger due to: the high threat of kidnapping, terrorist attack, crime and the unpredictable security environment (see ‘Safety’) the health risks from the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant disruptions to global travel.
