The river is the lifeblood of Niger. In a country where most of the land is very dry, the narrow strip along the Niger River is green, fertile and full of activity. Farmers grow rice, millet and vegetables in the floodplain. Fishermen paddle long wooden canoes and haul in catches that feed whole villages. Markets line the banks where traders from many different communities meet.
Hippos and West African crocodiles live in the slower, deeper stretches of the river. Hundreds of species of birds nest in the reeds and trees along the banks - from herons and kingfishers to the enormous goliath heron, which can be as tall as a seven-year-old child. The river creates a ribbon of wildlife through the dry landscape.
The capital city, Niamey, sits on the banks of the Niger River. The river has always been a route for trade, travel and communication. Traditional pinasse boats - long, colourful wooden vessels - carry people and goods up and down the river just as they have done for centuries.