As a landlocked Western African country, Niger is characterized by two main regions, the southern savannah (where the majority of the population resides) and the northern desert. With the main economic activities being agriculture and mining, Niger remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with nearly half of the population living in extreme poverty. In addition to high-poverty rates, the country faces many additional challenges, including extremely high infant mortality, susceptibility to climate change, and a poorly diversified economy. Niger, due to its location, is also called upon to host refugees from neighboring countries, putting further strain on already limited resources.