Many people confuse the geographical boundaries separating Niger from Nigeria, thinking they are one country, with one name pronounced in Arabic and the other in a foreign language. However, the truth is that what connects them is a shared border, electricity, and services; nothing more.
**Nigeria**
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is located on the coast of the Gulf of Benin and the Gulf of Guinea in Southeast West Africa, covering an area of 923,768 square kilometers. It is surrounded on all four sides by countries: Benin, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. It also shares maritime boundaries with Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, and São Tomé and Príncipe. Nigeria is named after its main river, the Niger, and its largest tributary, the Benin River.
**Niger**
The country is officially known as the Republic of Niger. It is an African nation located in West Africa and does not have a coastline, hence the name "landlocked." The name comes from the Niger River, which flows through its territory. Niger is the largest country in West Africa by area, covering 1,270,000 square kilometers. The population is approximately 17,129,076 people, and due to historical events, the population comprises various ethnic groups. However, it is one of the poorest countries in the world, with deserts covering around 80 percent of the country.
