Zinder

Zinder is the second largest city in Niger, lying north of Kano in Nigeria. From the eighteenth century it was the centre of the state of Damgaram. It had a population of over 20,000 and was known for its city wall, remains of which can still be seen, and for its slave market.

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The city was captured by the French in 1899, and when Niger became a colony it was the first capital, until Niamey was promoted in 1926. Today, Zinder comprises three main areas. Birni, the old town, is home to Zinder Great Mosque and the Zinder Sultan's Palace, as well as a museum. Zengou, the old Hausa settlement, is known for its vernacular architecture. The new town, in between Birni and Zengou, is the commercial centre, known for its large markets.

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Zinder is one of the areas most affected by the 2005 Niger food crisis.

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Niger: Niger is a landlocked sub-Saharan country in Western Africa, named after the Niger river. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the East. The capital city is Niamey....

Kano: For other uses of the word Kano see Kano (disambiguation)....

Nigeria: The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a country in West Africa. It is the most populous country in Africa. It borders Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, Niger in the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the south. Major cities include the capital Abuja, the former capital Lagos, Ibadan, Osog...