Its Name Comes From A Magnificent River

Niger and Nigeria are both named for the majestic Niger River. The origin of the river's name is unknown. It is a unique and significant river for both countries. After the Nile and the Congo, the Niger is Africa's third largest river. The name Niger has the Biblical meaning of "black." The Tuareg term gher n-gheren, which means "river between rivers," is the source of the name Niger. This is one of the things about Niger you should know before travelling.

What makes the Niger River so unique? This river originates in the Guinean highlands, approximately 240 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean. However, the odd journey up to the Niger delta perplexed experts for generations. It has a boomerang shape as it moves away from the sea and into the Sahara Desert. Then it makes a dramatic right turn towards the huge Niger delta, which is actually in Nigeria. Scientists have discovered that this remarkable river was once two rivers that converged in a lake near Timbuktu! What a thrilling turn of events!