Niger River

West Africa · rivers · geography

Crescent-shaped giant. The Niger River curves through West Africa like a giant C, traveling 4,180 kilometers from Guinea all the way to Nigeria. It's so big and winding that it's hard to believe it's not even Africa's longest river.

Six countries depend on it. The Niger flows through Guinea, Mali, Niger, Benin, Cameroon, and Nigeria, making it a lifeline for millions of people who live along its banks. Many towns and cities get their water, food, and transportation from this single river.

Massive delta spreads out. Where the Niger finally reaches the ocean in Nigeria, it fans out into a giant delta with hundreds of streams and islands. This delta is one of the world's largest and most important ecosystems.

Starts in the highlands. The Niger River begins its journey in the Guinea Highlands near the border with Sierra Leone, flowing out of mountains and forests. From there, it travels thousands of kilometers across West Africa.

Third-longest in Africa. Only the Nile River and Congo River are longer than the Niger in all of Africa. Its drainage basin, which catches all the rainwater that flows into it, covers more than 2 million square kilometers.