# Zinder

> city in Niger

**Wikidata**: [Q204365](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q204365)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zinder)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/zinder

## Summary
Zinder is a city and municipality located in Niger, serving as the capital of the Zinder Region. Historically significant, it was the capital of the Sultanate of Damagaram beginning in 1812 and later the capital of the Colony of Niger. With a population of 235,605 in its central business district as of the 2012 census, it is recognized as a major human settlement and big city within the country.

## Key Facts
- **Country**: Niger
- **Location**: Coordinates 13.8°N, 8.9833°E; Elevation 479 meters above sea level.
- **Capital Of**: Zinder Region; Sultanate of Damagaram (starting 1812); Colony of Niger.
- **Classification**: City (large human settlement), Municipality of Niger.
- **Population (CBD)**: 235,605 (2012 Census).
- **Historical Population**: 170,574 (2001), 119,827 (1988), 53,914 (1977).
- **Timezone**: UTC+01:00.
- **UN/LOCODE**: NEZND.
- **Bordering Entities**: Dakoussa, Gaffati, Kolléram, Gouna, Dogo, Droum, Tirmini.
- **Identifiers**: VIAF ID 305233788, GeoNames ID 2437798, GND ID 4109031-7.

## FAQs
**What is the geographical location of Zinder?**
Zinder is situated in Niger at an elevation of 479 meters, with coordinates approximately 13.8° latitude and 8.98° longitude. It operates on UTC+01:00 time.

**What administrative role does Zinder play?**
It functions as the capital of the Zinder Region. Historically, it served as the capital for the Sultanate of Damagaram starting in 1812 and was also the capital of the Colony of Niger.

**What are the demographic trends for Zinder?**
The population of Zinder's central business district has grown significantly over recent decades, rising from 53,914 in 1977 to 235,605 in 2012 according to census data.

## Why It Matters
Zinder holds substantial historical and political weight within Niger. As the former capital of the Colony of Niger and the historical seat of the Sultanate of Damagaram, it is a nexus of regional power and culture. Its status as a "big city" and a municipality highlights its ongoing importance as a major urban center in the country, evidenced by its extensive coverage across 54 different language editions of Wikipedia and inclusion in major international geographic databases.

## Notable For
- **Historical Capital**: Served as the capital of the Colony of Niger and the Sultanate of Damagaram (est. 1812).
- **Regional Hub**: Functions as the administrative capital of the Zinder Region.
- **Urban Growth**: Documented population growth in the central business district from 53,914 (1977) to 235,605 (2012).
- **International Recognition**: Listed in numerous global knowledge bases including Encyclopædia Britannica, Great Russian Encyclopedia, and Treccani's Dizionario di Storia.

## Body

### Geography and Administration
Zinder is a municipality classified as a city and large human settlement located in Niger. Geographically, it is positioned at coordinates 13.8° latitude and 8.9833° longitude. The city sits at an elevation of 479 meters above sea level and falls within the UTC+01:00 timezone.

Administratively, Zinder is the capital of the Zinder Region. It shares borders with several neighboring entities: Dakoussa, Gaffati, Kolléram, Gouna, Dogo, Droum, and Tirmini. Its location within the broader administrative division is noted as "Ville de Zinder."

### Demographics
The population of Zinder's central business district has been tracked through several censuses, showing consistent growth:
- **1977**: 53,914
- **1988**: 119,827
- **2001**: 170,574
- **2012**: 235,605 (Preferred value)

### Historical Significance
The city has a deep historical lineage, particularly noted as the capital of the Sultanate of Damagaram, a role it assumed in 1812. In more recent history, it served as the capital of the Colony of Niger. These roles underscore its long-standing importance as a political and military center in the region, further documented by sources like the *Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition* and visual records such as the "Ancient defensive walls of the city of Zinder" from 1961.

### External Identifiers and Media
Zinder is extensively cataloged in international databases. Key identifiers include:
- **Library of Congress Authority ID**: n87800896
- **Bibliothèque nationale de France ID**: 152228338
- **Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID**: 1091822
- **GeoNames ID**: 2437798
- **OpenStreetMap Node ID**: 277873430
- **UN/LOCODE**: NEZND

The city maintains a presence across digital platforms with a Quora topic, a BBC Things ID, and a "sitelink count" of 54, indicating Wikipedia articles in 54 different languages including Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, and Hausa. Visual documentation includes aerial views, images of the old town (2007), and historical defensive walls (1961).

## References

1. Zinder (inhabited place). Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names
2. OpenStreetMap
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. GeoNames
5. BBC Things
6. Quora