Travel the World - Week 14

Note: this is my second blog post today. If you're here to see my Three Musketeers card either keep scrolling (it's the next blog post) or go HERE.

This is the 14th week in my Travel the World personal challenge. Each week I am randomly choosing one country (there are 195 countries in the world) and doing a little research on that country. I then select one tidbit of information about the country as inspiration for the card I make.

This week's country is...

Niger

Niger, officially the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in western Africa. It borders seven countries: Libya to the North East, Chad to the East, Nigeria and Benin to the South and South West, Senegal and Mali to the West and Algeria to the North West.

Niger is on the border between Sahara and Sub-Sahara region.

The Niger River (the third largest river in Africa) gives the countries of Nigeria and Niger their names. Unlike the Nile River that is unclear, the Niger is clear over the whole course. This is attributed to an absence of silt.

The river floods annually, the flooding season begins in September and ends in May.

Greeting is very important in Niger  Most people will take offense if you don’t greet them before starting a conversation. And of course, typical greetings are elaborate, and go beyond just saying “hello!”. 

Women avoid eye contact with men. This is especially so in public.  A woman who makes eye contact with men in public is viewed as irresponsible.  And a man deliberately seeking to see a woman’s eyes is courting trouble.

Niger is one of the poorest nations on the earth. 

Niger's average life span is 45 years.

Millet is a great crop when it comes to surviving harsh and dry conditions. This is why millet does well in Niger and thus its main staple food.

The official language of Niger is French, but the country has eight languages that are also classified as national languages; these are mostly the ethnic languages of the groups associated with the language.

Mt. Greboun is the highest point in Niger. It stands approximately 6,379 feet tall.

The main agricultural export of Niger is peanuts; the second largest is cotton.

A mere one percent of Niger’s total surface area is under forest cover.

Niger is considered one of the hottest nations. It is known as the “Frying Pan of the World.”

Horse Racing and Camel Racing are popular in Niger. The country's men spend a lot of time on horses and camels as they travel and herd their cattle and other livestock. Nonetheless, the racing activities are quite entertaining and a great way to have fun and enjoy your holidays in Niger.

It is rare, almost impossible to see women drinking alcohol or smoking. Women who drink alcohol and/or smoke are viewed by most as prostitutes.

In Niger, there are a number of things you can “say” without actually voicing them. For example, you don’t need to verbalize, “You are lying!”  You only need to flick your nose with an index finger.

Ninety percent of the country’s workforce is engaged in Agriculture whilst industry and commerce employ 6% of the workforce, and the government employs the remaining 4% of the citizens.

The nation is a secular state with the separation of religion and state guaranteed in the constitution. The most dominant religion practiced in Niger is Islam, with about 80% of the population identifying themselves as Muslim.

I decided to let this Niger fact be the inspiration for this week's card... Punctually is usually appreciated. But late arrival, especially in the rural areas, is not frowned at.  Appointments are made loosely (only business appointments have time fixtures) and even these are not usually kept.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today!

Stamp Sets: Our Daily Bread Time and Taylored Expressions Tick Tock stamped with VersaMark Ink and heat embossed with SU White Embossing Powder

Inks (for background): Ranger Oxide (Faded Jeans, Fired Brick, and Lucky Clover)

Papers: Recollections Black and 110# White and SU bordering Blue CS and Fancy Pants Designs Energy DP

Embellishment: Making Memories Ribbon