Niger History

History
Niger is a developing country, which consistently ranks near the bottom in the United Nations' Human Development Index. Much of the non-desert portions of the country are threatened by periodic drought and desertification. The economy is concentrated around subsistence, with some export agriculture in the more fertile south, and export of raw materials, especially uranium ore.

Niger faces serious challenges to development due to its landlocked position, desert terrain, inefficient agriculture, high fertility rates without birth control, and the resulting overpopulation, the poor educational level and the poverty of its people, the lack of infrastructure, the poor health care, and the environmental degradation.

Nigerien society reflects a diversity drawn from the long independent histories of its several ethnic groups and regions and their relatively short period living in a single state. Historically, what is now Niger has been on the fringes of several large states. After the military coup in 2010, Niger became a democratic, multi-party state. A majority of the population lives in rural areas, and have little access to advanced education. 

Timeline
1899 - The French soldiers murdered all the inhabitants of the village of Birni-N'Konni in what is regarded as one of the worst massacres in French colonial history 1922 - All resistance to colonial rule was eliminated and Niger became a French colony 1956 - 1958 Niger became an autonomous state within the French Community 1960 - Niger decided to leave the French Community and acquired full independence 1974 – 1991 A small military group under the name of Supreme Military Council. This was the first of many in the post-colonial history of Niger 1991 1997 The Third Republic of Niger 1987 - 1999 Fourth Republic, third military regime of Niger 2009 - 2010 The Sixth republic of Niger 2010 - The Seventh republic of Niger

Links

 * Niger History - Britannica