5U5K Niger

Elvira, IV3FSG will be active as 5U5K from Niger, 8 - 20 June 2024.
She will operate on 160 - 6m, CW, SSB, FT8, RTTY.
QSL via IK2DUW direct, LOTW.
Ads for direct QSL:
ANTONELLO PASSARELLA, VIA M. GIOIA, 6, 20812, LIMBIATE, MB, Italy.
Pilot - IK0XBX.
5U5K Band Plan:

QTH Locator - JN13BM.

Niger

Niger is a large landlocked state in West Africa, effectively in the middle of two deserts. The Republic of Niger is infamous for giving its name to a huge ethnic group of black people who now find the definition offensive. Perhaps this is because their more civilized brethren do not wish to associate themselves with representatives of one of the poorest nations on our planet.

Niger. Author - Mateu Terrats Miralles.

Historical heritage

The primitive tribes of the Niger practiced the same subsistence activities that they do today - hunting and farming. Historians are aware of the Kiffian and Tenerian cultures of the natives who inhabited these desert lands. The Kiffian culture consisted of tall and powerful people, while the Caucasoid Tenerian race, which disappeared in the sands of the expanding Sahara, was supposedly characterized by a graceful physique and lighter skin. The rocky cliff area has impressive rock paintings, which have led to some interesting archaeological excavations. The history of Niger counts the existence of several pre-colonial states - Kanem-Borno, Mali Empire, Songhai.

Niger's location at the crossroads of the Saharan trade routes with the Arab world determined its destiny and religion. The ruler, Sultan Kanem-Borno, established the rule of Islam in 1085, which has survived to this day. All the ancient states of Niger, lacking maritime communication and natural resources, were mainly engaged in the resale of salt and transshipment of slaves. At the same time with Muslim empires Niger preserved its ethnic culture, the country has always been inhabited by Tuareg tribes with their own mentality. The militancy and intransigence of the local population was able to do much harm to the French colonizers, to whom the Tuaregs put up a strong resistance. France finally conquered African lands in 1900 and continued its expansion until 1960, the long-awaited date of independence.

Niger. Author - Heinz Dieter Heil.

Niger: the fantasy of the landscape

If you do not know how much trouble the unique and beautiful geographical ensemble brings to the people of Niger, it can be sincerely admired. The progenitor of the most original African culture occupies an area of 1,267,000 km2, which is located entirely on desert lands. 80% of the country is in the sultry Sahara and a third in the semi-desert Sahel, a transitional area from arid lands to fertile savannahs. The main part of the country, the Agadez region, is the Aire Plateau with an altitude of 200 to 500 meters above sea level. The northern part of the Niger is occupied by ancient volcanic rocks of granite and solidified lava. The majestic rock formations to the east of the state pass into the complete desert of Ténéré, which is a parched territory of purest blinding sand. To the south of the country are dunes with eye-pleasing vegetation, which to the west pass into the most fertile area - the valley of the Niger River of the same name.

Climate: African-style heat

The cradle of the world's black population for thousands of years of history, probably could not have created a nationality of another color due to its brutal climate. Niger is rightfully considered one of the hottest places in the world, where the average monthly temperature at any time of the year is +30 ° C, and annual precipitation is less than 100 mm. To the zone of semi-desert Sahel the level of rain increases up to 600 mm and is added up to 750 mm in the delta of the Niger River. However and such heat is not stable, the country is characterized by sharp temperature changes: from +13 to +50 °С. The hottest season lasts from March to June, and rare rains do more harm than good, due to the strongest evaporation. The so-called fall from June to October is accompanied by heavy rains, falling into the endless sands and loam, as into the abyss. And the conditional winter from November to early March "pleases" the locals with dry dust-forming wind-passat "Harmatan", which can rage for days.

Niger. Author - Yelema.

Niger's nature: with hope!

In addition to the all-consuming desert, the local population of the country has to make do with the scarce resources of the savannah and the Niger Delta. The savannah region is home to thorny shrubs, field cereals, baobabs, cottonwoods, shea and neem trees, umbrella acacias, mango and papaya trees. The plateaus of Ayr and Jado show the unquenchable urge to revive flora in the form of short-lived air plants, which after seasonal rains cover the surface of the plateau with a carpet of blossoms. In the area of the main river and creeks, the loamy soil is characterized by some fertility, which, however, is regularly spoiled by grazing cattle. The riverbank flora is characterized by bamboo and moisture-loving plants. Amazing oases with date palms can be observed among the desert.

The Niger River, the main supplier of water for irrigation and needs, and the nearby lakes are rich in fish, which are not easy to obtain due to waterlogging and impassable swamps. Despite the ever-expanding desert, the African fauna of the Niger is quite diverse. On the savannah expanses hardy rodents, graceful fennec foxes, slender gazelles and antelopes addax and oryx, giraffes and proud ostriches walk, peace-loving elephants graze. The formidable world of predators is widely represented: cheetahs, jackals, lions, hyenas, wild boars roam freely in the river delta in search of live food. The Niger River is home to hippos and hippos, crocodiles, and because of the tropical humidity, the insect world thrives. The hot African sky is serenely dissected by kites, eagles and vultures. Areas of flora and fauna concentration in the areas of the Aire Plateau are national reserves and are protected by the state.

Faith, language and the unhappy life of Niger

The state's population of almost 25 million people professes Sunni Islam in a percentage of more than 80%. The rest of the believers adhere to African religious movements. Also on the territory of Niger there are communities of Christian movements and Sikhs. More than 90 % of the population belongs to the negroid race, nationality - Hausa, the rest of the inhabitants are Songhai, Tuareg, Derma, Dendi, Wogo, Fulbe and others. The state language of the country is French, also the local population communicates among themselves in the Hausa language and various ethnic surzhiks. The standard of living of Niger is at the lowest level in the world: the average life expectancy of an ordinary resident does not exceed 54 years, and per 100 thousand young people there are just over 100 students.

Despite the unflattering status of the poorest country in the world, Niger has an industry for the extraction of such valuable minerals as uranium, iron ore, tin, coal, tantalum, gold, tungsten and molybdenum. To raise the country to the proper level of civilization is hindered by huge debts due to the economic crises of the 90s, great dependence on Western shareholders and investments, extreme poverty and lack of education. The development of Niger's agricultural industry is hindered by negative natural conditions and large-scale droughts. In order to survive, local residents are actively engaged in fishing, cultivation of sugar cane, sorghum, millet, and peanuts.

State power, national symbols

African Niger is an independent republic with all the appropriate attributes of power and the capital, the city of Niamey. The government of Niger is represented by President Mohamed Bazum and the parliament of the National Assembly of 113 deputies, there are few opposition parties. 7 departments and the capital municipality manage settlements and infrastructure.

The coat of arms of Niger reflects all components of the difficult life of the local population. Important attributes of the country are located on the beautiful draperies of the flag of Niger. The central shield is respectfully decorated with a Tuareg spear, a shining sun and the head of a zebu buffalo. At the bottom stretches the ceremonial ribbon with the inscription in French - Republic of Niger. The laconic flag of the republic is in three colors: orange, green and white. Orange color traditionally symbolizes the tribute to the African sun, green - hope for agriculture and nature, and white indicates the purity of intentions and thoughts of the people.

The sights of Niger are few, but they are undoubtedly worth seeing. The city of Agadez is a large-scale clay settlement of magnificent terracotta color with a mosque-beacon. In the small town of Kure, huge giraffes walk freely, amazed tourists. Maradi is a colorful town that preserves the traditions and rituals of the Tuareg people.

In Zinder there is an ancient palace of the lost culture of the sultanate and a huge market of original products of African tribes. And of course, the best beauties of Niger are two beautiful protected parks with amazing living flora - Abaaba and Double Ve.

5U5K. Where is Niger located. Map.