A Sahelian capital on the Niger River
Niamey stretches along the Niger River in the far west of Niger. The Boubou Hama National Museum combines exhibits on the country's peoples, crafts and dinosaur fossils found in the Sahara with pavilions of traditional architecture. The Grand Mosque has a minaret that can be climbed for views, and the Grand Marché sells leatherwork, silver and fabrics. At sunset, pirogues on the river pass fishermen and, sometimes, hippos.