Niger in Perspective: Orientation Guide: Geography, History, Economy, Security, Tuareg, Talak, Sahel, Tenere, Niamey, Zinder, Maradi, Agadez, Tahoua, Arlit, Kanem-Bornu, Songhai, Coup, Djerma, Sonrai

This is a professionally-formatted, free flowing ebook reproduction of unique, up-to-date guides produced by the Department of Defense that provide comprehensive information about all aspects of life in Niger, with a special emphasis on geography, history, the economy, society, security and military matters, religion, traditions, urban and rural life, ethnic groups, crime, the environment, government, holidays, gender issues and much more.

CHAPTER 1: GEOGRAPHY * Introduction * Geographic Divisions and Topographic Features * Talak Region * High Plateaus * Sahel * Niger River Basin * Air Mountains * Tenere Desert * Climate * Bodies of Water * Major Cities * Niamey * Zinder * Maradi * Agadez * Tahoua * Arlit * Environmental Concerns and Natural Hazards * Chapter 1 Assessment * CHAPTER 2: HISTORY * Introduction * Ancient History * Medieval History * Kanem-Bornu Empire * A Tuareg Sultanate * Early Modern History * Mali Empire * Songhai Empire * Modern History * Sultanate of Damagaram * French Colonial Era * Afrique Occidentale Francaise (French West Africa) * Later 20th Century * Toward Independence * Independence * Military Rule * Return to Civilian Rule * Return to Military Rule * Twenty-First Century * 2010 Coup * Recent Events * Chapter 2 Assessment * CHAPTER 3: ECONOMY * Introduction * Agriculture * Industry * Services * Energy * Natural Resources * Trade * Banking and Finance * Standard of Living * Public vs. Private Sector * Future Outlook * Chapter 3 Assessment * CHAPTER 4: SOCIETY * Introduction * Ethnic and Linguistic Groups * Djerma * Sonrai * Gurma * Hausa * Kanouri Manga * Peuhl (Fulani) * Tagdal (Igdalen) * Toubou * Tuareg * Religion * Islam * Christianity * Baha'ism * Indigenous Practices * Cuisine and Traditional Dress * Arts and Music * Instruments * Crafts * Sports and Recreation * Chapter 4 Assessment * CHAPTER 5: SECURITY * Introduction * U.S. - Niger Relations * Relations with Neighboring Countries * Algeria * Benin * Burkina Faso * Chad * Libya * Mali * Nigeria * Police Force * Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes) * Army * Air Force (Armee de l'Air du Niger) * Militant and Terrorist Groups * Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) * Boko Haram * National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad - MNLA * Mouvement des Nigeriens pour la Justice (Movement of Nigeriens for Justice - MNJ) * Harakat Ansar al-Din * Issues Affecting Stability * Weapons Smuggling * Corruption * Refugees * Food and Water Security