Zinder (locally, Damagaram), formerly also spelled Sinder, is the third largest city in Niger, with a population of 235,605 as by the 2012 census. It is situated east of the capital Niamey and north of the Nigerian city of Kano.

History

Early history

thumb|Zinder in 1906

Zinder was originally the site of the small Hausa village of Zengou. The town grew dramatically in importance following the arrival of Kanuri aristocrats in 1736, who built a new fortified quarter called Birni to the south and declared the town of Zinder as the capital of the Sultanate of Damagaram in 1736. The sultanate remained nominally subject to the Borno Empire until the reign of Sultan Tanimoune Dan Souleymane in the mid-to-late 19th century, who declared independence and initiated a phase of vigorous expansion.

In September 2024, the Zinder Mosque, one of Niger's oldest mosques and a significant cultural and religious site in the city, collapsed due to intense rainfall.

Geography

thumb|Zinder from the sky

thumb|right|The Sultan's Palace

The centre of Zinder consists of three main areas: in the north is Zengou or Zango, the old Tuareg suburb,

Demographics

The population of Zinder City has quadrupled from around 50,000 inhabitants in 1977 to over 200,000 people in 2012.

Transport

Zinder Airport (code: ZND) is located a few kilometres southwest of the town.

thumb|Zinder International Airport

Economy

The economy of the city is still largely based on the agricultural activities of the surroundings. Today, the city counts four officially recognised industries: Tannerie Malam Yaro (leather tanning), Gidan Alkaki (cake production), Sahara Sahel Foods (processing of non-wood forest produce) and SORAZ (petrol refinery located 50km North of the city). The latter is Niger Republic's first oil refinery and was commissioned in November 2011.

Education

  • André-Salifou University (2010)

Climate

Zinder has a hot arid climate (Köppen BWh) bordering upon a hot semi-arid climate (BSh). Temperatures are hot to sweltering year-round by day – only December and January in the middle of the dry season average below — whilst morning temperatures range from pleasant at the height of the dry season to uncomfortable in the months immediately preceding the first rains. The temperature rarely drops below or rises above . There is essentially no rainfall from October to May, and almost three-quarters of the total annual rainfall of occurs in July and August alone, accompanied by hot temperatures and much higher humidity than seen during the remainder of the year. Sunshine is extremely high year-round, being only marginally reduced during the wet season.

Notable residents

  • Moussa Hamadou Djingarey (born 1973), film director
  • Fadji Maina, scientist

<gallery>

File:Zinder centre ville.jpg|Zinder city center

File:Marché Dolé.jpg|Dolé Market in Zinder

File:Zinder Old Town Niger 2007.jpg|Traditional Hausa architecture in Zinder

File:Université de Zinder.JPG|Zinder University

File:Zinder DSC 4486 (6328130115).jpg|Many buildings in the town are decorated with traditional symbols

File:Zinder DSC 4499 (6328132379).jpg|The Grand Mosque in Zinder

</gallery>

References

Bibliography

  • James Decalo. Historical Dictionary of Niger. Scarecrow Press/ Metuchen. NJ – London (1979)
  • Finn Fuglestad. A History of Niger: 1850–1960. Cambridge University Press (1983)
  • Jolijn Geels. Niger. Bradt UK/ Globe Pequot Press USA (2006)