Zinder
Zinder | |
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Zinder (locally, Damagaram), formerly also spelled Sinder, is the third largest city in Niger, with a population of 235,605 as by the 2012 census.[2] It is situated 861 km (535 mi) east of the capital Niamey and 240 km (150 mi) north of the Nigerian city of Kano.
History
Early history
Zinder was originally the site of the small
Europeans began exploring the region in the 19th century, beginning with German explorer
Upon Niger's independence from France, the town's fort was renamed for Sultane Tanimoune.
Recent history
In 2003, telecommunications company Celtel arrived in Zinder, building a mobile phone tower and selling prepaid phone cards to residents. This arrival of the mobile phone drastically changed the predominant modes of communication in the city, allowing traders to have a faster and more affordable means of communicating with buyers and sellers. This is an example of how cellular towers in the developing world have begun to transform the market.[5]
Geography
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The centre of Zinder consists of three main areas: in the north is Zengou or Zango, the old Tuareg suburb,[4] is known for its vernacular architecture, and in the south lies Birni, the old Hausa town, which is home to Zinder Great Mosque, Fort Tanimoune and the Sultan's Palace, as well as a museum. Sabon Gari (the new town), lies between Birni and Zengou, and is the commercial centre, known for its large market (the Grand Marché). The city now sprawls to the north and west, extending to the Karkada section, in the north; other neighbourhoods include Garin Mallam and Gawon Kollia.
The city has many distinctive granite rocks which can result in standing water during the rainy season,[clarification needed] though the city has a long history of water shortages. Recently water was piped by a Chinese-owned company from the north to provide water to most of the city, however, this problem is likely to continue due to expected population growth.[citation needed]
The city is divided into 5 urban municipalities: Zinder I, Zinder II, Zinder III, Zinder IV and Zinder V.[6]
Demographics
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 53,914 | — |
| 1988 | 119,827 | +122.3% |
| 2001 | 170,575 | +42.4% |
| 2012 | 235,605 | +38.1% |
| source:[7] | ||
The population of Zinder City has quadrupled from around 50,000 inhabitants in 1977 to over 200,000 people in 2012.
Transport
Zinder Airport (code: ZND) is located a few kilometres southwest of the town.[8]
Economy
The economy of the city is still largely based on the agricultural activities of the surroundings. Today, the city counts four officially recognised industries: Tannerie Malam Yaro (leather tanning), Gidan Alkaki (cake production), Sahara Sahel Foods (processing of
Climatic Condition
The temperature rarely drops below 54°F or rises above 108°F. The climate is dry, with short summers and pleasant winters.[9][10]
Air Pollution
Particulate matter, such as dust, is present in Zinder's air and can be inhaled into the deepest parts of the lung, posing a serious health risk.[11][12][13][14][15]
Notable residents
- Moussa Hamadou Djingarey (born 1973), film director
Gallery
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Zinder city center -
Dolé Market in Zinder -
Traditional Hausa architecture in Zinder -
Zinder University -
Many buildings in the town are decorated with traditional symbols -
The Grand Mosque in Zinder
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References
- ^ "Niger: Regions, Cities & Urban Centers - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information".
- ^ "Niger: Regions, Cities & Urban Centers - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information".
- ^ a b c d e Geels, Jolijn, (2006) Bradt Travel Guide - Niger, pgs. 213-26
- ^ a b c "Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 28 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 985.
- ISBN 978-1593157203.
- ^ Loi n° 2002-014 du 11 JUIN 2002 portant création des communes et fixant le nom de leurs chefs-lieux. Includes list of 213 communes rurales and seats, 52 Communes urbaines and seats
- ^ Niger: Administrative Division population statistics
- ^ Zinder (ZND) Niger: world-airport-codes.com
- ^ "Zinder Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Niger) - Weather Spark". weatherspark.com. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "Zinder, NE Climate Zone, Monthly Weather Averages and Historical Data". weatherandclimate.com. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
- ^ "Air Quality & Pollen Forecast for Zinder". meteoblue. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Zinder Air Quality Index (AQI) and Niger Air Pollution | IQAir". www.iqair.com. 22 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Air Quality Zinder: Live air quality and pollution Forecasts". Plume Labs Air Report. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ project, The World Air Quality Index. "TAH 2, Zinder, Niger Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)". aqicn.org. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
- ^ "Air Quality and Pollen in Zinder, Niger | Tomorrow.io". Tomorrow.io Weather. Retrieved 22 September 2023.
Bibliography
- James Decalo. Historical Dictionary of Niger. Scarecrow Press/ Metuchen. NJ – London (1979) ISBN 0-8108-1229-0
- Finn Fuglestad. A History of Niger: 1850–1960. Cambridge University Press (1983) ISBN 0-521-25268-7
- Jolijn Geels. Niger. Bradt UK/ Globe Pequot Press USA (2006) ISBN 978-1-84162-152-4
External links
Zinder travel guide from Wikivoyage
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