Niger is a landlocked country in West Africa, different from the nearby country Nigeria. What is the capital city of Niger?

Introduction / Context:
This question examines your knowledge of African capitals, specifically focusing on Niger. Niger is often confused with Nigeria because their names are similar, but they are separate countries with different capitals, histories, and borders. Knowing that Niamey is the capital of Niger helps you avoid this common confusion and strengthens your command of African geography, which is frequently tested in competitive exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The country referenced is Niger, a landlocked country in West Africa.
The question asks for the capital city of Niger, not of Nigeria or another state.
The options are Windhoek, Niamey, Melekeok, and Bamako.
Each city is a real capital of a different country, except the one that belongs to Niger.

Concept / Approach:
The key idea is to correctly match Niger with its capital, Niamey. Niamey lies on the Niger River and functions as the political and economic center of Niger. Windhoek is the capital of Namibia in southern Africa, Melekeok is the capital of Palau in the Pacific region, and Bamako is the capital of Mali, which is also in West Africa but is a different country from Niger. Recognizing Niamey as the only option that correctly pairs with Niger ensures the right answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Carefully read the question and confirm that it refers to Niger, not Nigeria.Step 2: Recall that the capital city of Niger is Niamey, located on the Niger River.Step 3: Look at the options and identify which countries the other cities belong to.Step 4: Note that Windhoek is associated with Namibia, Melekeok with Palau, and Bamako with Mali.Step 5: Because Niamey is the only city that belongs to Niger, select Niamey as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A reliable map of Africa or a geography textbook will show Niger with Niamey marked as its capital. International reports and news articles on Niger refer to government activities and events taking place in Niamey. In contrast, discussions of Namibia focus on Windhoek, and topics related to Mali highlight Bamako. Information about Palau and Melekeok appears in the context of Pacific island nations. This clear separation confirms that Niamey is the correct capital city of Niger.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Windhoek is the capital of Namibia, a country in southern Africa with a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. It has no political connection to Niger. Melekeok is the capital of Palau, a small island country in the Pacific Ocean, far from West Africa. Bamako is the capital of Mali, another West African country, but different from Niger in both territory and government. Therefore, all three of these options are incorrect for Niger. Only Niamey correctly serves as the capital of Niger.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse similar sounding country names such as Niger and Nigeria, or to mix up capital cities of nearby West African nations like Niger, Mali, and Nigeria. Another pitfall is to ignore the geographic region and choose a city simply because it sounds familiar. To avoid this, study African maps focusing on both country shapes and capitals, and create distinct mental images or associations for each pair. For example, link Niamey with the Niger River and the landlocked nature of Niger. Regular revision of such associations greatly reduces confusion.

Final Answer:
The capital city of Niger is Niamey.