I.

Introduction

Niger (river), river in western Africa, flowing primarily from west to east, through Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria to the Gulf of Guinea. With a length of 4,180 km (2,600 mi), it is the third longest river in Africa, after the Nile and Congo. The drainage basin covers an area of about 2,092,000 sq km (about 808,000 sq mi) and includes two deltas—an inland delta in central Mali and a coastal delta along the Gulf of Guinea. The coastal delta is the largest in Africa, spanning nearly 190 km (120 mi).

The Niger has served as a focal point for the development of African civilizations, particularly the ancient kingdoms of Ghana and Mali. It continues to play a key role in the region, serving as a source of livelihood for many West African farmers, fishers, and herders, as a transportation route in areas that are otherwise poorly connected, and as a source of energy.