5U5K-Niger

Elvira, IV3FSG will be active as 5U5K in Niger from June 8 to 20, 2024.
She will operate on 160 – 6m, CW, SSB, FT8, RTTY.
Nearest DX Point 5U5K
5U5K Log Searchsearch QSL via IK2DUW direct, LOTW.
Direct QSL advertising:
ANTONELLO PASSARELLA, VIA M. GIOIA, 6, 20812, LIMBIATE, MB, ITALY.
Pilot – IK0XBX.
5U5K frequency band planning:

QTH Positioner – JN13BM.

Niger

Niger is a large landlocked country in West Africa, located between two deserts. The Republic of Niger is notorious for giving its name to a large group of black people, who now find the name offensive. Perhaps this is because their more civilized brothers do not want to be associated with representatives of one of the poorest countries on earth.

Niger. Author – Mateu Terrats Miralles.

Historical heritage

The primitive tribes of Niger were engaged in the same subsistence activities they do today – hunting and farming. Historians know the Kiffi and Teneri cultures of the indigenous peoples who inhabited these desert lands. The Kiffi culture consisted of tall, strong-bodied people, while the Caucasian Teneri race, which disappeared into the expanding Sahara Desert, was said to be characterized by a graceful physique and a lighter complexion. The rocky cliffs area has impressive petroglyphs, which have led to some interesting archaeological excavations. The history of Niger records the existence of several pre-colonial states – Kanem-Borno, the Mali Empire, the Songhai.

Niger’s location at the crossroads of the Sahara’s trade routes with the Arab world determined its destiny and religion. The ruler, Sultan Kanem-Borno, established Islamic rule in 1085, which continues to this day. All of Niger’s ancient states lacked sea transport and natural resources and were mainly engaged in the resale of salt and the transportation of slaves. While under the rule of the Muslim empire, Niger retained its national culture and the country has always been inhabited by the Tuareg tribe, which has its own unique mentality. The militancy and stubbornness of the local population caused great harm to the French colonists, and the Tuareg resisted fiercely. France finally conquered the African land in 1900 and continued to expand until 1960, the long-awaited day of independence.

Niger. Author – Heinz Dieter Heil.

Niger: A dreamlike landscape

If you don’t know how much trouble the unique and beautiful geography has brought to the people of Niger, you really should be sincerely amazed. The birthplace of the most primitive African culture covers an area of ​​1,267,000 square kilometers, which is completely located in the desert. 80% of the country’s territory is located in the hot Sahara Desert, and one-third is located in the semi-desert Sahel region, which is a transition zone from arid areas to fertile savannah. The main part of the country, the Agadez region, is the Ayr Plateau, which is 200 to 500 meters above sea level. The north of Niger is occupied by ancient granite volcanic rocks and solidified lava. The majestic rock formations in the east of the state extend to the Ténéré Desert, an arid land with the purest and dazzling sand. The south of the country is covered with sand dunes with pleasing vegetation, extending to the west to the most fertile area – the eponymous valley of the Niger River.

Climate: African hot

Niger is the cradle of the world’s black people, and for thousands of years, due to its harsh climate, it is likely that it could not create a people of another skin color. Niger is recognized as one of the hottest places in the world, with an average monthly temperature of +30°C at any time of the year and less than 100 mm of annual precipitation. In the semi-desert Sahel, rainfall reaches up to 600 mm, and in the Niger Delta – up to 750 mm. However, this high temperature is not stable, and the country is characterized by drastic temperature changes: from +13 to +50°. The hottest season is from March to June, and the rare rainfall does more harm than good due to the maximum evaporation. The so-called autumn from June to October is accompanied by heavy rains, which fall on endless sand and loam, as if falling into an abyss. And in winter, from November to early March, the locals “enjoy” dry, dusty winds “Harmatan”, which can last for several days.

Niger. Author – Nothing could be better.

Niger’s nature: full of hope!

Besides the desert, the local population has to rely on the scarce savannah and Niger Delta resources. The savannah areas are home to prickly shrubs, cereals, baobabs, cottonwoods, shea, neem, acacia, mango and papaya trees. The Ayer and Jado Plateaus show a strong desire for plant revival in the form of ephemeral air plants that bloom on the surface of the plateaus after seasonal rains. In the areas of major rivers and streams, the loam soils are moderately fertile but are often destroyed by grazing cattle. Riparian vegetation features bamboo and moisture-loving plants. Stunning oases of date palms can be seen in the desert.

The Niger River is the main supplier of water for irrigation and domestic use, and nearby lakes are rich in fish, but they are not easily available due to stagnant water and impassable swamps. Despite the expanding desert, the African fauna of Niger is quite diverse. On the vast savannahs, hardy rodents, elegant fennec foxes, slender gazelles and antelopes, addax and oryx, giraffes and proud ostriches wander, and peace-loving elephants graze. The world of powerful predators is everywhere: 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 the world of insects also thrives due to the high tropical humidity. The hot African sky is quietly divided by kites, eagles and vultures. The concentration of flora and fauna in the Eyre Plateau region is a national reserve and is protected by the state.

Faith, language and the unhappiness of life in Niger

Niger has a population of nearly 25 million, of which more than 80% believe in Sunni Islam. The rest believe in African religious movements. There are also Christian movements and Sikh groups in Niger. More than 90% of the population belongs to the black race, the ethnic group is Hausa, and the rest of the residents are Songhai, Tuareg, Delma, Dandi, Wargo, Fulbe, etc. The official language of the country is French, and local residents also use Hausa and various Surgike languages ​​to communicate. Niger’s living standards are among the lowest in the world: the average life expectancy of ordinary residents does not exceed 54 years, and there are only more than 100 students for every 100,000 young people.

Despite being the poorest country in the world, Niger has a mining industry for precious minerals such as uranium, iron ore, tin, coal, tantalum, gold, tungsten and molybdenum. The economic crisis of the 1990s left the country heavily in debt, heavily dependent on Western shareholders and investments, extremely poor, and lacking education, which have hampered the country’s progress in civilization. Harsh natural conditions and large-scale droughts have hampered the development of Niger’s agricultural industry. In order to survive, local residents actively engage in fishing, planting sugarcane, sorghum, millet and peanuts.

State power, state symbols

Niger in Africa is an independent republic with all proper attributes of power, with its capital being Niamey. The government of Niger is represented by President Mohamed Bazoum, with a National Assembly of 113 members and few opposition parties. The 7 provinces and the capital city municipalities manage settlements and infrastructure.

The national emblem of Niger reflects various aspects of the hard life of the local people. The important characteristics of the country are reflected in the beautiful coat of arms of the Niger flag. The center of the shield is decorated with a Tuareg spear, a dazzling sun and a zebu head. At the bottom is a ceremonial ribbon with the words “Republic of Niger” written in French. The flag of the republic is simple and clear, with three colors: orange, green and white. Orange traditionally symbolizes praise for the African sun, green symbolizes hope for agriculture and nature, and white symbolizes the purity of people’s intentions and thoughts.

Niger doesn’t have many attractions, but they are certainly worth seeing. The city of Agadez is a large clay settlement, a magnificent terracotta color, with a mosque-lighthouse. In the small town of Koure, giant giraffes roam freely, surprising visitors. 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 African tribal products. Of course, the best scenery in Niger is the two beautiful protected parks with amazing living plants – Ababa and Double Ve.

5U5K. Where is Niger located. Map.