The

regions of Niger Niger is divided into eight regions (French: ''régions;'' singular''région)'', each of which is named after its capital. Current regions *Additionally, the national capital, Niamey, comprises a special capital district. Current administrati ...

are subdivided into 63 departments (french: départements). Before the devolution program on 1999–2005, these departments were styled

arrondissement An arrondissement (, , ) is any of various administrative divisions of France, Belgium, Haiti, certain other Francophone countries, as well as the Netherlands. Europe France The 101 French departments are divided into 342 ''arrondissements' ...

s. Confusingly, the next level up (regions) had, before 2002-2005 been styled departments. Prior to a revision in 2011, there had been 36 departments. A draft law in August 2011 would expand that number to 63.Assemblée nationale : le Projet de loi érigeant les anciens Postes Administratifs en départements adopté
. Mahaman Bako, Le Sahel (Niamey). 2011-08-01 Until 2010, arrondissements remained a proposed subdivision of departments, though none were used. The decentralisation process, begun in the 1995-1999 period replaced appointed Prefects at Departmental or Arrondissement level with elected councils, first elected in 1999. These were the first local elections held in the history of Niger. Officials elected at

commune A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to: Administrative-territorial entities * Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township ** Communes of ...

level are then selected as representatives at Departmental, regional, and National level councils and administration. The Ministry of Decentralisation was created to oversee this task, and to create a national consultative council of local officials. On 1 August 2011, the

National Assembly of Niger The unicameral National Assembly (''Assemblée nationale'') is Niger's legislative body. The National Assembly may propose laws and is required to approve all legislation. History The National Assembly was established through reforms of the Col ...

approved a draft law which would dramatically expand the number of departments to 63. The law will create 27 new departments centered on the former appointed sub departmental ''Postes Administratifs''. The 27 new department capitals will be: Aderbissanat, Iférouane, Ingall, Bosso, Goudoumaria,

N'Gourti N'Gourti is a village and rural commune in Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

Dioundiou Dioundiou is a village and rural commune in the Dioundiou Department of the Dosso Region of Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

, Falmèye,

Tibiri Tibiri is a town and urban commune in Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languagesBermo ''For the town in North Wales, see Y Bermo'For the commune of Niger see Bermo, Niger'' Bermo is a census town in the Bermo block, Bermo Community development blocks in India, CD block in the Bermo subdivision of the Bokaro district of the st ...

, Gazaoua, Bagaroua,

Tassara Tassara is a village and rural commune in Niger. Geography Tassara rural commune lies at the junction of the Sahel and the Sahara, receiving just enough yearly rainfall to make seasonal nomadic pasturage possible. The neighboring communes are Ing ...

Tillia Tillia is a village and rural commune in Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

, Abala, Ayérou, Ballayara, Bankilaré,

Banibangou Banibangou is rural commune in Niger. Its capital is Banibangou. It was the site of attacks on FulaIn french: Peul; in ff, Fulɓe. pastoralist Pastoralist may refer to: * Pastoralism, raising livestock on natural pastures * Pastoral farming, s ...

, Gothèye,

Torodi Torodi is a small town and a rural Communes of Niger, commune in Niger. As a rural center, Torodi hosts a large weekly market and the seat of local tribal authority (canton). Torodi is in the Say Department of the Tillaberi Region, which surrounds ...

, Belbédji, Damagaram Takaya, Dungass, Takiéta, Tesker. The 63 departments are broken down into communes. As of 2006 there were 265 communes, including ''communes urbaines'' (urban communes: centred in or as subdivisions of cities of over 10000), ''communes rurales'' (rural communes) centred in cities of under 10,000 and/or sparsely populated areas, and a variety of traditional (clan or tribal) bodies amongst semi-nomadic populations. The former ''postes administratifs'' (administrative posts) for largely uninhabited desert areas or military zones were incorporated as full departments with borders to be determined. The 36 pre-2011 departments are listed below, by region.

Agadez Region

Arlit Department Arlit is a department of the Agadez Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Arlit. As of 2012, the department had a total population of 105,025 people. Communes It is divided administratively into the following communes: *Arlit *Danne ...

(

Arlit Arlit is an industrial town and capital of the Arlit Department of the Agadez Region of northern-central Niger, built between the Sahara Desert and the eastern edge of the Aïr Mountains. It is 200 km south by road from the border with ...

) *

Bilma Department Bilma is a department of the Agadez Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Bilma. As of 2012, the department had a total population of 17,935 people. Communes *Bilma *Dirkou *Djado Djado is a ghost town in Bilma Department, Bilma in ...

(

Bilma Bilma is an oasis town and commune in north east Niger with, as of the 2012 census, a total population of 4,016 people. It lies protected from the desert dunes under the Kaouar Cliffs and is the largest town along the Kaouar escarpment. It ...

) *

Tchirozerine Department Tchirozerine is a department of the Agadez Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Tchirozerine. As of 2011, the department had a total population of 328,018 people. It is divided administratively into the following communes: *Communes ...

( Tchirozerine)

Diffa Region

Diffa Department Diffa is a department of the Diffa Region in Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

(

Diffa Diffa is a city and Urban Commune in the extreme southeast of Niger, near the border with Nigeria. It is the administrative seat of both Diffa Region, and the smaller Diffa Department.Geels, Jolijn, (2006) ''Bradt Travel Guide - Niger'', pgs. ...

) * Maine-soroa Department ( Maine-soroa) *

N'guigmi Department N'guigmi is a department of the Diffa Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of N'guigmi N'guigmi is a city and Commune of fifteen thousand in the easternmost part of Niger, very near to Lake Chad – lying on its shore until the la ...

(

N'guigmi N'guigmi is a city and Commune of fifteen thousand in the easternmost part of Niger, very near to Lake Chad – lying on its shore until the lake retreated. It is a crossroads for the traditional camel caravans of the Toureg and for traders p ...

)

Dosso Region

* Boboye Department ( Boboye) *

Dogondoutchi Department Dogondoutchi is a department of the Dosso Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Dogondoutchi Dongondoutchi ("High Hill", also nicknamed Doutchi) is a commune in Niger. It is located about 300 km east of the capital Niamey a ...

(

Dogondoutchi Dongondoutchi ("High Hill", also nicknamed Doutchi) is a commune in Niger. It is located about 300 km east of the capital Niamey and 40 km from the Nigerian border. It lies on national route 1 which links the capital to the towns of ...

) *

Dosso Department Dosso is a department of the Dosso Region in Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

( Dosso) *

Gaya Department Gaya is a department of the Dosso Region in Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

( Gaya) *

Loga Department Loga is a department of the Dosso Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Loga Loga may refer to: People * Bob Loga (1940–1996), American stock car racing official * (1859-1911), Prussian politician * Iarlaithe mac Loga, also known ...

(

Loga Loga may refer to: People * Bob Loga (1940–1996), American stock car racing official * (1859-1911), Prussian politician * Iarlaithe mac Loga, also known as Saint Jarlath * Ignacy Loga-Sowiński (1914–1992), Polish trade union activist and po ...

)

Maradi Region

* Aguie Department ( Aguie) * Dakoro Department (

Dakoro Dakoro is a town and commune located in the Maradi Region of Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

) *

Guidan Roumdji Department Groumdji is a department of the Maradi Region of Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

( Guidan Roumdji) * Madarounfa Department ( Madarounfa) * Mayahi Department ( Mayahi) * Tessaoua Department (

Tessaoua Tessaoua, formerly known as Tessawa, is a city located in the Maradi Region of Niger. It has a population of 31,667 (2001 census). Tessaoua is historically an important city in its region. It is situated in a central geographical location. Tessa ...

)

Tahoua Region Tahoua is one of eight Regions of Niger. The capital of the region is the commune of Tahoua. The region covers 106,677 km². Geography Tahoua borders Agadez Region to the northeast, Maradi Region to the southeast, Nigeria's Sokoto State to t ...

Abalak Department Abalak is a department of the Tahoua Region in Niger. Its capital is the city of Abalak Abalak (or Abalagh) (in tamajeq ⴰⴱⴰⵍⴰⵗ) is a town located in the Tahoua Region, Abalak Department of northern Niger. It is both a town and Co ...

(

Abalak Abalak (or Abalagh) (in tamajeq ⴰⴱⴰⵍⴰⵗ) is a town located in the Tahoua Region, Abalak Department of northern Niger. It is both a town and Commune: a local administrative division. It is the seat (''Chef-lieu'') of Abalak Departme ...

) *

Bkonni Department Birni-N'Konni (sometimes shortened as Bkonni) is a department of the Tahoua Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Birni-N'Konni. As of 2011, the department had a total population of 504,783 people. Towns and villages * Birni-N'Ko ...

( Bkonni) *

Bouza Department Bouza is a department of the Tahoua Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Bouza, and also includes the town of Déoulé. As of 2011, the department had a total population of 386,093 people. Culture and situation Bouza Department is ...

(

Bouza Bouza is a town in southwestern Niger. A town of eight thousand, it is the administrative center of Bouza Department, part of Tahoua Region. Culture and situation Bouza Department is in a largely Hausa-speaking area, which has become in the last ...

) *

Illela Department Illela is a department of the Tahoua Region in Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

( Illela) *

Keita Department Keita is a department of the Tahoua Region in Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

( Keita) * Madaoua Department (

Madaoua Madaoua (var. Madoua, Madawa) is a town located in the Tahoua Region of Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

) * Tahoua Department (

Tahoua Tahoua is a city in Niger and the administrative centre of the Department of Tahoua and the larger Tahoua Region.Tah ...

) * Tchin-Tabaraden Department ( Tchin-Tabaraden)

Tillabéri Region Tillabéri (var. ''Tillabéry'') is one of the eight Regions of Niger; the capital of the Region is Tillabéri. Tillabéri Region was created in 1992, when Niamey Region was split, with Niamey and its immediate hinterland becoming a new ''capital ...

Filingue Department Filingue is a Departments of Niger, department of the Tillabéri Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Filingue, and includes the towns of Kourfey, Bonkoukou, Tabala, Niger, Tabala, and Tondikandia. As of 2011, the department had a tot ...

( Filingue) *

Kollo Department Kollo is a department of the Tillabéri Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Kollo, and includes the towns of N'Dounga, Fakara, Hamdallaye, Karma, Kirtachi Kirtachi is a village and rural commune in Niger ) , official_la ...

( Kollo) *

Ouallam Department Ouallam is a department of the Tillabéri Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Oullam, which is designated an Urban Commune. The department also includes the Rural Communes of Simiri and Tondikiwindi, as well as the towns of Bani ...

(

Ouallam Ouallam is a town around 90 km north of Niamey in southwestern Niger. It is the capital of Ouallam Department, one of four departments in the Tillabéri Region. Culture Historically centered in the lands of the Djerma people, Ouallam has impo ...

) *

Say Department Say is a department of the Tillabéri Region in Niger. Its capital city is Say, and includes the towns of Guéladjo, Tamou, and Torodi. It abuts the urban Region of Niamey, and lies across the Niger River to the southwest of the capital. It ...

(

Say Say may refer to: Music *''Say'' (album), 2008 album by J-pop singer Misono * "Say" (John Mayer song), 2007 *"Say (All I Need)", 2007 song by American pop rock band OneRepublic * "Say" (Method Man song), 2006 single by rapper Method Man * "Say" ( ...

) *

Téra Department Téra is a department of the Tillabéri Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Téra. As of 2011, the department had a total population of 579,658 people. History Téra Department covers most of the historic territory of Liptako. Toda ...

(

Téra Téra is a city in the Tillabéri Region, Tera Department of Niger. It is situated 175 km north-west of the capital Niamey, close to the border with Burkina Faso. It is mainly inhabited by Songhai, Fulani, Gourmantche and Buzu ethnic gro ...

) *

Tillabéri Department Tillabéri is a Departments of Niger, department of the Tillabéri Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Tillabéri, and contains the Communes of Niger, Communes of Ayorou (as of 2001 the largest town in Department), Anzourou, Dessa, ...

(

Tillabéri Tillabéri (var. Tillabéry) is a town in northwest Niger. It is situated 113 km northwest of the capital Niamey on the River Niger. It is an important market town and administrative center, being the capital of department of Tillabéri and ...

)

Post-2011 division departments

* Abala * Ayérou * Balléyara * Banibangou * Bankilaré * Filingué * Gothèye * Kollo kollo * Ouallam * Say * Téra * Tillabéri * Torodi

Zinder Region Zinder Region is one of the seven regions of Niger; the capital of the region is Zinder. The region covers 145,430 km². It is the most populous province of Niger. History Numerous Palaeolithic and Neolithic remains, as well as cave paintin ...

Goure Department Goure is a department of the Zinder Region in Niger. Its capital lies at the city of Goure Goure (fr. Gouré) is a town in southeastern Niger, Zinder Region, Goure Department, of which it is the seat. Situation Situated on the main all ...

(

Goure Goure (fr. Gouré) is a town in southeastern Niger, Zinder Region, Goure Department, of which it is the seat. Situation Situated on the main all-weather east–west highway in Southern Niger, it is about 170 km east of regional capital ...

) *

Magaria Department Magaria is a department of the Zinder Region in Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

( Magaria) *

Matameye Department Matameye is a department of the Zinder Region in Niger ) , official_languages = , languages_type = National languages

(

Zinder Zinder (locally, ''Damagaram''), formerly also spelled Sinder, is the third largest city in Niger, with a population of 170,574 (2001 census);

) * Mirriah Department ( Mirriah) *

Tanout Department Tanout is a department of the Zinder Region in Niger. Its administrative seat is the city of Tanout. As of 2011, the department had a total population of 475,125 people. On 15 April 2010, the Council of Ministers announced that Amadou Seybou Dio ...

(

Tanout Tanout is a town in southern Niger. It is in Zinder Region, Tanout Department, north of the city of Zinder. It is the administrative capital of Tanout Department. History Since 1987, the Eden Foundation, an NGO aiming at providing trees for "d ...

)

References

External links

Statoids
{{DEFAULTSORT:Departments Of Niger Subdivisions of Niger Niger, Departments Niger 2 Departments, Niger Niger geography-related lists