Niger River Latest News
An accident involving a boat carrying passengers on the Niger River in north-central Nigeria has killed at least 26 people recently.
About Niger River
- It is the principal river of western Africa.
- With a length of 4,200 km, it is the third longest river in Africa, after the Nile and the Congo.
- In West Africa, it’s the longest and largest river and is nicknamed the “Boomerang River” due to its serpentine shape.
- Course:
- It takes one of the most unusual routes of any major river.
- It rises in Guinea, just 240 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean, but the river runs away from the sea into the Sahara Desert.
- It then takes a sharp right turn near Mali’s Timbuktu city.
- It flows through Mali, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean via the Niger Delta.
- Niger Delta:
- It is located in southern Nigeria, where the Niger River meets the Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea).
- It is the largest river delta in Africa and features the fifth largest mangrove forest on Earth.
- The Niger passes through virtually all of the vegetational zones of western Africa, including grasslands, rainforests, and swamps.
- The Niger River Basin covers 7.5 percent of the African continent, and its main tributary is the Benue River.
- The northern part of the river, known as the Niger Bend, is an important area because it is the closest major river and source of water to the Sahara desert.
- The Niger Valley is sparsely settled. The largest cities are Bamako in Mali, Niamey in Niger, and Onitsha in Nigeria.
Source: HT
Niger River FAQs
Q1: In which country does the Niger River originate?
Ans: It rises in Guinea.
Q2: What is the total length of Niger River?
Ans: 4,200 k
Q3: Which river is the main tributary of the Niger River?
Ans: Benue River
Q4: Name three cities situated along the Niger River?
Ans: The largest cities are Bamako in Mali, Niamey in Niger, and Onitsha in Nigeria.
