Editing Diffa

{{EngvarB|date=July 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2016}}
{{Infobox settlement
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|name          = Diffa
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|subdivision_name1      = [[Diffa Region]]
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|subdivision_name2      = [[Diffa Department]]|
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'''Diffa''' is a city and [[Communes of Niger|Urban Commune]] in the extreme southeast of [[Niger]], near the border with [[Nigeria]]. It is the administrative seat of both [[Diffa Region]], and the smaller [[Diffa Department]].<ref name="Bradt">Geels, Jolijn, (2006) ''Bradt Travel Guide - Niger'', pgs. 229-31</ref><ref name="Historical Dictionary">Idrissa, Abdourahmane & Decalo, Samuel, ''Historical Dictionary of Niger'' (4th ed.). Scarecrow Press, Boston & Folkestone, (2012) {{ISBN|0-8108-3136-8}}</ref> {{as of|2012}}, the commune had a total population of 56,437 people.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stat-niger.org/statistique/file/Annuaires_Statistiques/Annuaire_ins_2011/population.pdf|title=Annuaires_Statistiques|publisher=[[Institut National de la Statistique du Niger]]|access-date=2 May 2013}}</ref>

==History==
In 2002, it was the centre of the first military uprising in the country since President [[Tandja Mamadou]] instituted civilian rule; the uprising led to a government crackdown against the civilian press.<ref>[http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=33269 NIGER: Army mutineers free civilian hostages]. 2 August 2002 (IRIN)</ref><ref>[http://cpj.org/2003/03/attacks-on-the-press-2002-niger.php Attacks on the Press 2002: Niger]. Committee to Protect Journalists. 31 March 2003</ref><ref>[https://archive.today/20110522150430/http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2002-08/a-2002-08-01-30-Niger-s.cfm Niger's Army Pursuing Mutinous Soldiers]. Voice of America. 1 August 2002</ref>

=== Nigerian refugees ===
In recent years, refugees from Nigeria fleeing violence from [[Boko Haram]] have settled in Diffa and surrounding area.<ref>{{Cite web
| last = Damon
| first = Arwa
| title = Where are Nigeria's missing girls? On the hunt for Boko Haram
| work = CNN.com
| access-date = 12 June 2014
| date = 11 June 2014
| url = http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/10/world/africa/boko-haram-hunt-arwa-damon/index.html?iid=article_sidebar
}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Diffa grand Marché.JPG|thumb|The ''Grand Marché'']]
Diffa is situated on the north bank of the [[Komadougou Yobe]] river; the river's seasonal floodplain lies immediately to the south and east.<ref name="Bradt"/> Much of the riverbank is lined with gardens and small allotments which grow the town's well-known red peppers.<ref name="Historical Dictionary"/><ref name="Bradt"/> The town is bisected in an arc by the Route Nationale 1 road; the eastern part of town is centred on the ''Grand Marché'', which also acts as the transport hub for the city.<ref name="Bradt"/>

===Climate===
Diffa has a hot climate with a wet and dry season. On 7 September 1978, Diffa recorded a temperature of {{convert|49.5|C|F}}, which is the highest temperature to have ever been recorded in Niger.<ref name=nigerCC>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180506213909/https://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/non-annex_i_natcom/submitted_natcom/application/pdf/nernc3.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2018 |url=https://unfccc.int/files/national_reports/non-annex_i_natcom/submitted_natcom/application/pdf/nernc3.pdf |title=Troisieme Communication Nationale A La Conference Des Parties De La Conventioncadre Des Nations Unies Sur Les Changements Climatiques |publisher=Republique de Niger |page=8 |access-date=16 April 2022}}</ref>

==Architecture==
===Sports buildings===
[[File:Stade de Diffa 3.JPG|thumb|Stade de Diffa]]
A traditional wrestling arena is located to the northeast of the ''Grand Marché''.<ref name="Bradt"/> Diffa Stadium can be found west of the RN1.<ref name="Bradt"/>

===Religious buildings===
The town contains several mosques, most notably the Grande Mosquée de Diffa on the RN1.<ref name="Bradt"/>

==Transport==
Diffa marks the eastern end of the paved section of Route Nationale 1, the main east-west highway across Niger, although the section between [[Zinder]] and Diffa is only partially paved in places.<ref name="Bradt"/> RN1 continues north to [[N'guigmi]] more than 100&nbsp;km. [[Maïné-Soroa]], the other major town of the Region, lies less than 100&nbsp;km to the west of Diffa. The border with [[Nigeria]], at the Nigerian town of [[Duji, Nigeria|Duji]], is 5.5&nbsp;km to the south of Diffa. [[Diffa Airport]] lies to the north of the town.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Conseil de ville Diffa.JPG|Headquarters of the Regional council
File:School gate diffa niger 2006.jpg|A school in Diffa
File:Diffa palais de Justice.JPG|The ''Palais de Justice''
</gallery>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{coord|13|18|53|N|12|37|4|E|region:NE_type:city|display=title}}
{{Communes of Niger}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Communes of Niger]]