The
Departments of
Niger are subdivided into communes. As of 2005, in the seven
Regions and one Capital Area, there were 36
départements, divided into 265
communes, 122
cantons and 81
groupements. The latter two categories cover all areas not covered by
Urban Communes (population over 10000) or
Rural Communes (population under 10000), and are governed by the Department, whereas Communes have (since 1999) elected councils and mayors. Additional semi-autonomous sub-divisions include
Sultanates,
Provinces and
Tribes (
tribus). The Nigerien government estimates there are an additional 17000 Villages administered by
Rural Communes, while there are over 100
Quartiers (
boroughs or neighborhoods) administered by
Urban Communes.