River Niger source and mouth. Africa, interesting and world famous river niger

Coordinates 9°04′56″ n. w. 10°43′24″ W. d. HGIOL Coordinates 5°19′00″ n. w. 6°25′00″ E. d. HGIOL

The river's source is on the slopes of the Leono-Liberian Upland in southeastern Guinea. The height of the source is 745 m above sea level. [ ] The river flows through the territory of Mali, Niger, along the border with Benin, and then through the territory of Nigeria. It flows into the Gulf of Guinea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean, forming a delta in the area of ​​its confluence. The Niger's largest tributary is the Benue River.

Etymology

The exact origin of the name of the river is unknown and there has been a debate about this among researchers for a long time.

A popular belief is that the name of the river comes from Tuareg nehier-ren- “river, flowing water.” According to one hypothesis, the name of the river comes, in turn, from the words “Egerev n’Egerev”, which in Tamashek (one of the Tuareg languages) means “ great river"or "river of rivers." This was the name given to the Niger and some other peoples who lived on its banks.

There is also a hypothesis according to which the derivative of the name of the river is the Latin word niger, that is, “black.” This hypothesis assumes that historically the words “Niger” and “negro” are of the same root, since the latter also comes from the word “black”.

The aborigines living close to the banks call the river differently in certain sections of the course: Joliba (in the Mandingo language - “big river”), Mayo, Eghirreu, Iso, Quorra (Quarra, Kowara), Baki-n-ruu, etc. ., but at the same time the vast majority of these names in translation mean “river”.

Hydrography

The Niger is a relatively “clean” river; compared to the Nile, the turbidity of its water is about ten times less. This is due to the fact that the upper reaches of the Niger pass through rocky terrain and do not carry much silt. Like the Nile, the Niger floods every year. It begins in September, peaks in November, and ends by May.

Unusual feature The river is the so-called internal Niger delta, formed in a place where the longitudinal channel slope is greatly reduced. The area is an area of ​​multi-channel channels, marshes and lakes the size of Belgium. It has a length of 425 km with an average width of 87 km. Seasonal floods make the inland delta extremely favorable for fishing and agriculture.

Niger loses approximately two-thirds of its flow in the inland delta section between Ségou and Timbuktu due to evaporation and seepage. Even the waters of the Bani River flowing into the delta near the city of Mopti are not enough to compensate for these losses. The average loss is estimated at 31 km³/year (the amount varies greatly from year to year). After the inland delta, many tributaries flow into the Niger, but evaporation losses remain very high. The volume of water entering Nigeria in the Yola region was estimated at 25 km³/year before the 1980s and 13.5 km³/year during the eighties. The Niger's most important tributary is the Benue, which joins it at Lokoja. The volume of tributaries in Nigeria is six times greater than the volume of the Niger itself when it enters the country. Towards the delta, Niger's flow increases to 177 km³/year (data before the 1980s, during the eighties - 147.3 km³/year.

Hydrological regime

Niger is fed by the waters of the summer monsoon rains. In the upper reaches, the flood begins in June and near Bamako reaches its maximum in September - October. In the lower reaches, the rise of water begins in June from local rains, and in September it reaches its maximum. The average annual water flow of the Niger at the mouth is 8630 m³/s, the annual flow is 378 km³, flow rates during floods can reach 30-35 thousand m³/s.

In 2005, Norwegian explorer Helge Hjelland undertook another expedition along the entire length of the Niger, starting in Guinea-Bissau in 2005. He also filmed documentary about his journey, which he called “Nightmare Journey” ( "The Cruellest Journey") .

River Bend

Niger has one of the most unusual shapes channels in plan among large rivers. Similar to a boomerang, this direction has baffled European geographers for almost two millennia. The source of the Niger is located only 240 kilometers from Atlantic Ocean, however, the river begins its journey straight opposite direction, into the Sahara, after which it turns sharply to the right near the ancient city of Timbuktu and flows southeast to the Gulf of Guinea. The ancient Romans thought that the river near Timbuktu was part of the Nile, as Pliny, for example, believed. The same point of view was shared by. The first European explorers believed that the upper Niger flows to the west and connects with the Senegal River.

This very unusual direction probably arose due to the combination of two rivers into one in ancient times. The Upper Niger, which began west of Timbuktu, ended approximately at the bend of the modern river, emptying into a now defunct lake, while the lower Niger began from the hills near that lake and flowed south into the Gulf of Guinea. After the development of the Sahara in 4000-1000. BC e., two rivers changed their directions and united into one as a result interception.

Economic use

The most fertile lands are in the inland delta and estuarine delta. The river brings 67 million tons of silt per year.

Many dams and waterworks have been built on the river. The Egrette and Sansanding dams raise water for irrigation canals. The largest waterworks on Niger, Kainji, was built in the 1960s. The power of the hydroelectric power station is 960 MW, the reservoir area is about 600 km².

Navigation on the river is developed only in some sections, especially from the city of Niamey to its confluence with the ocean. Lives in the river a large number of fish (perch, carp, etc.), so fishing is developed among local residents.

River transport

In September 2009, the Nigerian government allocated N36 billion for dredging of Niger from Baro to Warri in order to clear the bottom of silt. Dredging was intended to facilitate the transport of goods to settlements located far from the Atlantic Ocean. Similar work was supposed to be carried out several decades ago, but it was postponed. Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua noted that the project will provide year-round navigation in Niger, and expressed hope that by 2020 Nigeria will become one of the twenty most industrialized countries in the world. Alhayi Ibrahim Bio, Nigeria's Minister of Transport, said the ministry will do everything possible to complete the project within the allotted time frame. Concerns have been raised that such work could have a negative impact on villages located in coastal areas. At the end of March 2010, the Niger dredging project was 50% complete.

Financing

Most investments in the development of Niger are made from aid funds. For example, the construction of the Kandaji Dam is financed by the Islamic Development Bank, the African Development Bank, and the development fund of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. The World Bank confirmed a low interest loan in July 2007 for financing projects in the Niger Basin over a twelve year period. In addition to the goals of restoring dams in Niger, the loan also targets ecosystem restoration and economic capacity building.

Cities

Protected areas

see also

Notes

1. F. L. Ageenko. Russian word stress. Dictionary of proper names. - M: ENAS, 2001.
2. Gleick, Peter H. (2000), The World's Water, 2000-2001: The Biennial Report on Freshwater, Island Press, p. 33, ISBN 1-55963-792-7; online at Google Books
3. Niger (river in Africa) / Muranov A.P. // Great Soviet Encyclopedia: [in 30 volumes] / ch. ed.

28-08-2015, 21:08

• Benue
  River in West Africa (Cameroon, Nigeria). The largest left tributary of the Niger River. Length 1400 km (according to other sources 960 km). The basin area is 441 thousand km². Average flow rate 3170 m³/sec. Navigable from the town of Ibi (during the rainy season from the town of Garwah). By its nature - lowland river, flowing in a wide valley. It flows through densely populated areas of wet savannas.
• Weme
  River in West Africa. For a significant extent, it forms a natural border between the states of Benin and Nigeria. The length of the river is 480 km. The area of ​​the river basin is 46,990 km². Average annual water consumption is 170 m³/s.
• Kaduna
  A river in Nigeria, a left tributary of the Niger. The total length of the river is about 550 km. The river got its name from the crocodiles that lived in the river area. Kaduna means "crocodiles, crocodile place" in the Hausa language.
• Komadugu-Yobe
  A river in Nigeria and Niger that flows into the closed Lake Chad. The source is located on the territory of Nigeria, the lower course is the natural border between Nigeria and Niger.
• Cross
  A river in West Africa, originating in Cameroon, flows through the Manyu department west to Nigeria. Turning south and separating the Nigerian state of Cross River from the more western Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom, it flows into the Gulf of Guinea. One of the main peoples inhabiting the banks of the Cross River is the Efik.
• Niger
  The most important river in West Africa. The length is 4180 km, the basin area is 2,117,700 km², the third according to these parameters in Africa after the Nile and the Congo. The source of the river is on the slopes of the Leon-Liberian Upland in southeastern Guinea. The river flows through the territory of Mali, Niger, along the border with Benin, and then through the territory of Nigeria. It flows into the Gulf of Guinea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean, forming a delta in the area of ​​its confluence. The largest tributary of the Niger is the Benue River.
• Nun
  The river is the longest branch of the Niger and is therefore considered the main extension of the Niger, unlike the other branches: Forcados, Brass, Bonny and Sombrerio. Nun crosses the Niger Delta from north to south through Bayelsa State. The river originates approximately 32 km south of the city of Abo, where the Niger divides into Nun and Forcados. Flows through sparsely populated swampy areas and mangroves, emptying into the Gulf of Guinea at settlement Akassa. The length of the river is approximately 160 km.
• Sokoto
  A river flowing in northwestern Nigeria. The source of the river is located in Funtua County, Katsina State. The river flows through four states: Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi. Along the banks of the river, local residents grow cotton, tobacco, peanuts, sugar cane, rice and other crops. The irrigation system has been developed.
• Forcados
  The Forcados River is one of the branches of the Niger, used for shipping since the beginning of the 20th century. Forcados crosses the Niger Delta from north to south through Rivers State. Its source is considered to be the bifurcation of the Niger into Nun and Forcados, 32 km south of the village of Aboh. The Forcados, flowing through sparsely populated marshy areas and mangroves, flows into the Atlantic Ocean west of the Bight of Benin. The length of the river is approximately 198 km. The tributaries of Forcados are the Ace and Warri rivers (right tributaries).

Niger River flows through the territory of five countries: Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benins, Nigeria. The middle course of the river falls on the territory of the state of Mali. Mali is landlocked and therefore the river is its main artery. Without it, existence in these arid lands would be very difficult. Many local residents still maintain their traditional beliefs and believe that the river is inhabited by various spirits.

River length: 4180 km.

Drainage basin area: 2,117,700 km. sq.

Water flow at the mouth: 8630 m3/s.

The origin of the river's name has not yet been precisely established. According to one version, the name of the river comes from Latin word niger, i.e. “black”. The indigenous population calls the river differently. In the upper reaches the most common name is Joliba, in the middle reaches it is Eguirreu, in the lower reaches the river is called Kvara. The Arabs, in turn, also came up with quite original name— Nil el-Abid (Nile of Slaves).

Where does it occur: The Niger River originates east of the Kong Mountains, in Guinea. The height of the source above sea level is 850 meters. First, the river flows north, towards the desert, then, on the territory of Mali, the river changes the direction of its flow to the southeast, and even further, downstream - to the south. The river flows into the Gulf of Guinea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean, forming a large delta with an area of ​​25,000 square meters at its mouth. km. The delta is swampy and covered with dense mangroves. In the upper and lower reaches there are often rapids, and in the middle reaches the Niger has the character of a flat river.

River mode

Niger is fed by the summer monsoons. The flood begins in June and reaches its maximum in September-October. It is characterized by a large dependence of water consumption on the season. The average water flow at the mouth is 8630 m³/s; during floods it rises to 30-35 thousand m³/s.

The river's nutrition is distributed quite unusually along the course. The upper and lower reaches of the river are located in areas with big amount precipitation, while in the middle reaches the climate is characterized by great dryness.

Main tributaries: Milo, Bani, Sokoto, Kaduna, Benue.

In addition to the estuarine delta, Niger also has inner delta or as the people of Mali call it - Masina. Masina is a vast area in the middle reaches of the river. It is a heavily swampy floodplain valley with a large number of branches, lakes and oxbow lakes connecting downstream again into one channel. The length of the delta is 425 kilometers, the average width is 87 km.

Inner delta:

Interesting fact: At the confluence of the Niger and the tributary of the Bani, in ancient times there was a large drainless lake. Today the lake is formed only during wet season. During a flood, the delta area increases from 3.9 to 20 thousand km. sq.

Biological resources: Quite a lot of fish live in Niger (carp, perch, barbel). This contributes to the development of fisheries. Fishing is the main source of food for many local residents.

Oil: There is a large amount of oil in the Niger delta. These guys are whipping her.

In fact, wise use of resources could help the residents of the delta get out of poverty, but today the situation is only getting worse due to pollution environment oil.

Niger River on the map:

The Niger River is the largest in West Africa and the third longest in the entire continent, after the Nile and. And many thousands of years ago, two rivers flowed along its current course. From its source in the Guinean Highlands, one of them flowed into an ancient closed lake, while the second flowed to the east of this place and was not connected with the first. But time dried up the lake, and these two rivers gradually changed their course, merging, they gave birth to the Niger.
For a long time, the serpentine current of the Niger remained the main obstacle for researchers. There was even an assumption that the other African rivers Senegal and Gambia were nothing more than branches of the Niger, although in fact they flow further north.
Many attempts have been made to uncover the secret of the river. Since the so-called African Association was founded in 1788, the purpose of its creation was a detailed study of African lands, including the flow of the Niger: it was necessary to learn everything about the promising trade routes of Africa, and the Niger goes to the Atlantic Ocean.
Less than ten years had passed before the river found its hero. In 1796, the Scottish explorer Mungo Park (1771-1806) reached its waters. Having explored the sources of the rivers of Senegal and Gambia, he reached Niger and during his voyage discovered that Niger was in no way connected with Senegal and Gambia. But Park was not able to thoroughly study Niger: he fell ill with tropical fever, was captured, fled, but after a relapse of a debilitating illness, he interrupted his journey along the river, returning on foot to the mouth of the Gambia, and with great difficulty reached the English trading settlement of Pisania in June 1797 . But he delivered the collected materials. They formed the basis of a book published in 1799, which brought Mungo Park authority in scientific circles and fame among inquisitive compatriots.
This inspired the Scot to make another trip to the Niger in 1805. The expedition started from the Niger Delta, was well prepared and armed. However, due to disease, heat and endless skirmishes with local tribes, Mungo Park lost most of his team (out of forty people, only eleven reached Malian territories). In the same 1805, he drowned in the waters of the Niger when he tried to hide from the arrows of local residents in the water. This became known only in 1808, when the diaries and letters of the brave traveler, which he had sent ahead of time with his people, finally reached the addressee: Park’s envoys themselves barely survived. Although Europe already knew about the obstinate nature of Niger, there were (and still are) quite a few extreme lovers who wanted to travel along this river. Real researchers sad fate Parka warned... But in 1946, a significant geographical event nevertheless occurred: for the first time, a person managed to overcome absolutely all the obstacles on the way from the source of the Niger to its mouth. It was a French expedition - documentary filmmaker and expert on Africa Jean Rouch and his companions Pierre Ponty and Jean Soy.
Thanks to the film materials they brought from this trip, people were able to see the beauty of the hitherto mysterious river, feel the diversity and uniqueness of its world, bewitchingly attractive, despite all the potential dangers.

Originating under the name Djoliba on the Leon-Liberian Upland, the Niger rushes west to the Gulf of Guinea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean, absorbing a lot of large and small tributaries along the way and gradually accelerating its flow. At the confluence with its largest tributary, the Benue River, Niger gains greatest strength. Here its width reaches three kilometers, and the depth in some areas reaches twenty meters. The Niger is navigable from Kurousa to Bamako, from Sotouba Falls to Ansongo and from Niamey to the mouth. The Niger Delta begins 180 km from the ocean near the city of Aba.
A real oasis is formed along the banks of the Niger in the area of ​​its internal Masina delta, in the very place where the waters of a lake that dried up over time once splashed. Now this region belongs to the state of Mali (it gained independence in 1960). About half a million people live here. Mostly local settlements belong to the Dogon. Near the Bandiagara ledge you can find their small villages, consisting of adobe houses, merging with the surrounding rocky landscape, and their fields and melon fields stretch along the Niger coast. Niger also sheltered on its shores the Fulani tribes, who adhere to the ancient traditions of a nomadic lifestyle and animal husbandry. Living conditions here are not easy, even taking into account the proximity of the river: the wind brings hot, dry air from the Sahara Desert, and temperatures throughout the year can jump up to +40°C. From here the river rushes further, deviating to the east and approaching the southern outskirts of the Sahara. Here, river water is priceless and perhaps the only source of life, including for the Malian city of Timbuktu, located in the bend (inner delta) of the Niger. Until the beginning of the 20th century. along the Niger it was possible to get to Timbuktu only when the water level in the river rose after the summer monsoon rains. The first European to reach this city, previously known only from descriptions, was a British officer, Major Alexander Lang, and this happened in 1825.
There are others on the banks of the Niger, more big cities(Timbuktu's population is only slightly more than 50 thousand people). Downstream from the inland delta is the Malian capital of Bamako, with a population of nearly two million, Africa's fastest growing city. Complex natural conditions West Africa leave their imprint on the appearance of this capital city. At first glance, it may seem that Bamako is not that big. The houses here are low-rise, and the streets, despite the fairly high population density, are not so busy (there are sometimes many more green minibuses of local minibuses here than private cars).
On the shores of the great African river The capital is also located - Niamey. Founded back in the 18th century, it truly flourished only towards the end of the nineteenth century, during French colonization. Lively during the day, sparkling brightly in the evening lights, this city is one of the largest African centers of trade, both retail and wholesale. And here one can observe what seems to be an ineradicable African paradox: next to the circulation of goods and money there is poverty and begging.

general information

River in West Africa.
The third river in terms of length and basin area in Africa (after the Nile and Congo).
Main tributaries: Benue, Milo, Bani, Sokoto, Kaduna.
Countries through which the Niger flows: Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin, Nigeria.
The most important cities in the basin: Timbuktu, Bamako (Mali), Niamey (Niger), Lokoja, Onitsha (Nigeria).
The most important port: Port Harcourt (Nigeria, located on the Bonny River in the Niger Delta).

Numbers

Length: 4180 km.
Pool area: 2,117,700 km2.
Delta area: 70,000 km2.
Water flow (at the mouth): 8630 m 3 /s.
Annual flow: 378 km 3 .

Economy

The most important route of communication between the countries of West Africa.
Industry: hydropower (Kainji hydroelectric complex in Nigeria, with a reservoir with an area of ​​600 km2), oil production (in the Niger Delta).
Agriculture: growing oranges, bananas, legumes, corn, millet, rice, sugar cane, peanuts, sorghum, cassava, cotton; cattle breeding.
Fishing: carp, perch, barbel, captain fish and other species.
Trade is developed in coastal cities.

Climate and weather

Tropical desert in the north of the region, subequatorial in the south.
Average monthly temperatures throughout the year: from +20 to +34ºС.
Sharp daily temperature changes are characteristic: in the morning the air temperature can be around +10ºС, and during the day it can rise to +40ºС.
Average annual precipitation: in the north of the region - less than 100 mm, in the south - up to 800 mm.

Attractions

■ Bamako (Mali): National Museum of Mali - dedicated to the history of the country since ancient times; The Bamako Cathedral Mosque is one of the tallest buildings in Bamako; VCEAO Tower - a bank building, the tallest in West Africa; Amadou Palace of Culture - One of the main centers for cultural events;
■ Niamey (Niger): National Museum of Niger; Nigerian Zoo; city ​​market is the largest shopping mall Republic of Niger; Great Mosque of Niemey;
■ National Park Kainji Lake;
■ Upper Niger National Park;
■ Western Niger National Park.

Curious facts

■ To say that the Niger Basin is a densely populated area is to say nothing. In the delta region of this African river alone, the population is about thirty-one million people.
■ The Republic of Niger is one of the largest oil suppliers among African countries. About two million barrels of black gold are mined every day in the Niger Delta. True, this figure is far from the limit: previously production was three million barrels per day, but in last years The country's oil industry has lost ground.
■ On Niger you can only rarely see steamships: mostly small sailing ships are in use here.
■ Documentary filmmaker and ethnographer Jean Rouch (1917-2004), who explored the Niger in 1946, called this river a living vine entwined around West Africa, noting the variability of the flow of its waters.
■ The most delicious fish, which is found in the waters of Niger, is considered a captain fish.
■ The city of Mopti in Mali, located at the confluence of the Bani River with the Niger, is called the “Venice of Africa”. But not always, but in winter, when after the monsoon rains the Niger floods and Mopti is surrounded by water on all sides.

Niger River on the map

The Niger River is one of the greatest rivers on earth, located in West Africa. In terms of its length in Africa, it ranks third after the Nile and Congo. The length of the River is 4180 km, the basin area is 2117700 sq. km. The uniqueness of the river is that it has two deltas; there are very few such rivers on earth. The water in Niger is 10 times cleaner than the Nile.

The poet Dennis Osadebey wrote about this river: “You are life for the jungle, scorched by the sun.....I love you, you are my home and temple.....”

This river and the ancient trading city of Timbuktu on it for a long time were a mystery to Europeans. Many Europeans tried to penetrate the river basin, but, as a rule, they paid for it with their lives.

About the name of the river

There has been a dispute about the name of the river from ancient times to the present day. Most believe that it comes from the Berber word "nehierren" - "river". Others believe that it came from the Latin “Niger”, that is, “black”. Local residents in different sections call the river in their own way: Djoliba, Mayo, Eghirreu, Izo, Quorra, Baki-n-ru, etc. However, all names translated mean “river”. The exact name of the river is still under dispute.

Where is Niger

The Niger flows through the territory of such West African countries as Mali, Niger, along the border with Benin, and across Nigeria. The river flows into the Gulf of Guinea huge delta. Niger accepts largest influx Benue.

Source of the Niger

The source of the Niger is on the top of Loma (1946 meters), which is located in the Liono-Liberian mountains, stretching along the Atlantic coast West Africa. On the eastern side of Mount Loma, located in southern Guinea, the Tembi stream, the source of the Niger, originates. Then it flows north into the mainland. First it flows through the mountains, then out onto the plains.

Features of the Niger Current

The Niger, reaching the plains, is divided into two branches, forming an inland delta. Approaching the Sahara Desert, and then as if afraid that its desert could completely dry up its water reserves, Niger sharply turns to the southeast, breaks through the rocky barrier and runs away from the sultry zone. Having left the Sahara, the river enters an area of ​​heavy tropical rain. Taking the most

a large tributary of the Benue River, which is called in these parts “Mother of Waters,” bringing as much water as flows in Niger itself. After the confluence of Niger and Benue, the river becomes 3–4 km wide and 20–30 meters deep. In its lower reaches, the Niger splits into many branches, through which it pours a huge mass of water into the Gulf of Guinea of ​​the Atlantic Ocean. By studying past geological eras, scientists have found that modern Niger is two combined big rivers- Joliba and Quorra. These names are still preserved, the first - until the turn from the Sahara Desert, the second - for the rest of the river.

Character of the current

In the upper and lower reaches the river has rapids, as it flows through a narrow valley. In the middle reaches of the Niger, the river is flat and flows calmly from the Guinean city of Kourousa to the capital of Mali, the city of Bamako. In this section the river is navigable. Below the city of Ke-Masina, a city in Mali, the Niger divides into several branches, forming an internal delta. There is severe waterlogging in it. Previously in this place

The Niger flowed into an endorheic lake. In the Timbuktu area, numerous branches of this delta are connected into one channel. Further, the river flows along the southern border of the Sahara for 300 km. Near the city of Burem, the Niger turns southeast and flows calmly in a wide valley to the mouth. On the territory of the state of Niger there are many dry river beds that once flowed into the river.

At the point where the river flows into the Gulf of Guinea, a large delta is formed with an area of ​​24,000 sq. km. The longest branch is the Nun, and the deepest is the Forcados. The Niger receives the right tributaries Milo and Bani, the left tributaries Sokoto, Kaduna, and Benue.

Inner delta

Niger. Inner delta

The internal delta is formed where the longitudinal slope of the channel decreases. This delta is located near the main turn of the river to the southeast within the Republic of Mali. It is 425 km long and 87 km wide. Spills occur in the delta, which is favorable for agriculture and fishing. Niger loses 2/3 of its water consumption in

area of ​​the inland delta between the cities of Segou and Timbuktu due to water evaporation and filtration. The average water loss is 31 km. cubic meters/year In the delta area, water flow increases to 177 km/m3/year. The presence of an internal delta near the Niger River represents some of the uniqueness of the nature of this river. Such phenomena are rare on rivers.

Mode and nutrition

Niger floods every year in September, with the peak of the spill occurring between September and October. In the upper reaches, the flood begins in June, its maximum occurs in September - October. In the lower reaches, the rise of water begins in June, maximum in September. The average annual water flow of Niger is

8630 cc m/sec., annual flow 378 km. cube During floods, the flow can be up to 35 thousand cubic meters. meters.

The river is fed by the Sudanese type, that is, the river is fed by rain, and seasonal fluctuations in water flow are pronounced. The river receives maximum water in late summer and autumn, and minimum in winter and spring. At the Malanville hydrometric station, over forty years of observations, the average water flow rate was 1053 cubic meters per second, the maximum was 2726 cubic meters per second, the minimum was 18 cubic meters. m/sec.

Discovery of Niger

Upper Niger

IN ancient city Merchants, slave traders, travelers, vagabonds and adventurers arrived in Timbut. A variety of rumors about this river penetrated Europe. Some argued that the Niger is the upper reaches of the Nile, others that the river feeds the Congo, and others considered it tributaries of the desert Lake Chad. Herodotus, Pliny the Elder, and Ptolemy knew about the existence of the great river since ancient times. The famous Arab traveler of the Middle Ages, Ibn Batuta (1307 -1377), who traveled to many countries of the world for 25 years, was on the Niger and sailed along it. He was the first to call the river the “Negro Nile.” Europeans did not know anything reliable about Niger for quite a long time until the mid-18th century. For a long time, geographers had no answer: “Is it an independent river or a tributary of another river.” Europeans

was given great importance this river for use as a waterway into Africa. The Europeans undertook several voyages, but all ended in their death. The local population was unkind to foreign travelers. However, it was found brave man, Scotsman Mungo Park, a doctor by profession for a trip to the Niger. Accompanied by 2 black servants, in 1795 he went to an unknown river. After he managed to escape from the captivity of the Arab slave traders, he managed to grab his notes. In the forest, Mungo Park met blacks who had fled from slave traders. Then they moved to the river together. During research a year later, M. Park found that the Niger flows into east direction, Senegal and Niger different rivers, Niger starts with cr

ayu light. At that time there was a lot of this about the nature of Niger. M. Park arrived in London and then returned to Africa again to finally solve the mystery of Niger. However, this courageous man died of fever. The mystery of the Niger was solved by the traveler Richard Lander, who traveled from the source by boat to the mouth of the Niger in 1832-1833. In his expedition of 50 people, only 8 people remained. He was unable to return to his homeland, as he died in 1834 from wounds received during skirmishes with blacks. This is how answers to questions about the mystery of Niger were found.

The Niger is the great river of Africa, which for a long time concealed its mysteries, in the course of solving which it took on a considerable number.

Use of the river

Lower Niger

Of particular value are the fertile soils made from river sediments in the inner and estuarine delta. Niger carries out 67 million tons of silt per year.