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Niger (1921-45, 1959-)
Stamp-issuing status: active; Population: 9,388,859 (1997). A republic in
northern Africa, directly north of Nigeria. Under French control after 1890,
Niger underwent several administrative incarnations, finally emerging as the
Niger Territory in 1920. The Niger Territory became the Niger Colony two years
later. Niger became part of French West Africa in 1944 and used French West
African stamps during 1944-59. In 1958, Niger became an autonomous republic and
became fully independent in 1960. It has since maintained close ties with
France. Since independence, it has been ruled by a series of dictators, except
for a brief period of popular-elected government from March 1993 to January
1996.
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