The flag of Niger was chosen on Nov. 23, 1959. The white color is for purity, innocence, and civic spirit. The orange is for the Sahara Desert and the heroic efforts of citizens to live within it, while the orange central disk represents the sun. The green color stands for agriculture and hope; it is suggestive of the Niger River valley.

Niger Official name: République du Niger (Republic of Niger). Form of government: republic with a single legislative body (National Assembly [83]. Head of state and government: President assisted by Prime Minister. Population (1998): 9,672,000. Population projection: (2000) 10,260,000; (2010) 13,678,000. Natural increase rate per 1,000 population (1996): 29.9 (world avg. 15.7). Gross national product (1996): U.S.$1,879,000,000 (U.S.$200 per capita). Land use (1994): forested 2.0%; meadows and pastures 8.2%; agricultural and under permanent cultivation 2.9%; other (largely desert) 86.9%.

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