Niger 🇳🇪 is a fascinating landlocked country located in Western Africa, part of the Africa region. Officially known as Republic of Niger, it is home to roughly 27.0 million people and covers an area of about 1,267,000 square kilometres.
On this page you will find a complete profile of Niger — its capital Niamey, its people and languages, the money used there, where it sits on the world map, and plenty of facts worth remembering the next time the country comes up in a quiz.
Niger on the map
Geographically, Niger belongs to Western Africa within Africa. Its territory spans approximately 1,267,000 km², which makes it the 23rd largest country or territory on Earth.
As a landlocked country, Niger has no direct access to the open ocean, which has shaped its trade routes, cuisine and history in distinctive ways. It shares land borders with Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali and Nigeria.
The capital city is Niamey, the political and cultural heart of the country and usually the first stop for visitors who want to understand how nigerien life really works.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Population and languages of Niger
Around 27.0 million people live in Niger, making it the 55th most populous country or territory in the world. A person from Niger is called a Nigerien.
The main language spoken here is French. Learning even a handful of phrases before a visit goes a long way with locals.
Beyond the numbers, everyday culture in Niger — from markets and music to family traditions — is what makes discovering it through a random spin so rewarding.
Practical information about Niger
The official currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF, symbol Fr). Exchange rates fluctuate, so check current rates before travelling.
The international dialling code for Niger is +227. Websites from the country typically use the .ne internet domain.
Quiz tip: the three facts most worth memorising about Niger are its flag, its capital Niamey, and its approximate population of 27.0 million.
Neighbouring countries
Niger shares borders with 7 countries:
Fun facts about Niger
- Niger's flag emoji is 🇳🇪 — its two-letter country code is NE and its three-letter code is NER.
- Niger covers 1,267,000 km², ranking 23rd in the world by area.
- With about 27.0 million people, Niger holds the 55th spot in the world population ranking.
- Niger is a member state of the United Nations.
- Niger is one of the world's landlocked countries — it has no sea coastline.
Niger — frequently asked questions
- What is the capital of Niger?
- The capital of Niger is Niamey.
- What is the population of Niger?
- Niger has a population of approximately 27,032,412 people, ranking 55th in the world.
- Where is Niger located?
- Niger is located in Western Africa, part of the Africa region. It is a landlocked country.
- What language is spoken in Niger?
- The main language spoken in Niger is French.
- What currency is used in Niger?
- Niger uses the West African CFA franc (XOF).
