Route nationale 1 (Niger)

The Route nationale no. 1 is an important highway in Niger. It connects the east part of the country to the west. RN1 runs approximately 1,200 km (750 mi) from Niamey in the west to N'Guigmi in the east, via Dosso, Maradi, Zinder, and Diffa. The first large paved section, between Gouré and N'Guigmi was surfaced in 1971-72. This section, in the distant and sparsely populated east, is now the most degraded section and in part completely eroded. It was named the "Route de l'Unité" ("the Unity Highway") in the 1970s. By 1980 it was joined by the second long all-weather road in Niger, the "Uranium Highway," running from Niamey to Arlit in the far north.