Niger explained to kids

Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the northeast, Chad to the east, Nigeria to the south, Benin to the southwest, Burkina Faso to the southeast, and Mali to the northwest. Niger covers a land area of 1,270,000 square kilometers (490,000 sq mi), making it the largest country in West Africa. The country's predominantly Islamic population of 24 million is mostly clustered in the far south and west of the country. The capital and largest city is Niamey, located in the far-southwest corner of Niger. Niger is a Sahelian country, and is generally flat, with desert to the north and savanna to the south. The Niger River, which flows through the country, is the primary source of water for much of the landlocked nation. The country's climate is arid to semi-arid, with three distinct seasons: a hot, dry, dusty Harmattan haze period from December to February; a hot, wet, cloudy rainy season from March to June; and a cooler, dry season from July to November. Niger is home to a wide variety of ethnic groups, including the Hausa, the Fulani, the Kanuri, the Tuareg, the Toubou, and the Fula. Different ethnic groups in Niger have distinct cultures and languages. The Hausa, for example, are known for their traditional Islamic values and their traditional music and dance, while the Tuareg are known for their traditional nomadic lifestyle and their traditional music and dance. Niger's economy is largely based on agriculture, with livestock accounting for 40% of the country's GDP. Agriculture employs 80% of the Nigerien workforce. The main agricultural products are millet, sorghum, peanuts, maize, livestock, and fish. Niger is also a major producer of uranium, with mines located in the northern parts of the country. Niger is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the Economic Community of West African States, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Niger has been described as a "failed state" due to its lack of development, its high levels of corruption, and its human rights violations.