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Federal Republic of Nigeria
 Nigeria, Federal Republic of, republic in western Africa, bounded by Niger on the north, by Chad and Cameroon on the east, by the Gulf of Guinea on the south, and by Benin on the west. The most populous country of Africa, Nigeria has an area of 923,768 sq km (356,669 sq mi). Its name is derived from that of its major river, the Niger. Abuja is the capital and Lagos is the largest city.
Initially composed of a number of ethnically based kingdoms and states, the area of modern Nigeria was brought under British rule by 1906. It became an independent state on October 1, 1960. Following a period of tension among its ethnic groups, especially the Yoruba of the southwest, the Ibo of the southeast, and the Hausa and Fulani of the north, Nigeria was ruled by the military from 1966 to 1979. During the period from 1967 to 1970 peoples of the southeast attempted-ultimately without success-to secede from Nigeria by forming the Republic of Biafra. The period of civilian rule (1979-1983) ended with a military coup.
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Nigeria
Land and Resources
Much of Nigeria consists of a low plateau cut by rivers, especially the Niger and Benue. Most of the country is suitable for agriculture. Its major economic resources are its massive petroleum and natural-gas deposits.
Physiographic Regions
Nigeria can be divided into four distinct geographical regions. Along the coast is a belt of mangrove forests and swamps, stretching some 16 km (some 10 mi) inland in most places. This region is cut by numerous lagoons and creeks. In the Niger delta region, the coastal belt extends some 100 km (some 60 mi) inland. Beyond the coast is a broad, hilly, forested belt, which gradually rises to the rocky terrain of the Jos and Bauchi plateaus.
Beyond these plateaus is a region of savanna, which stretches to a semi desert zone in the extreme north. A great plain, marked by occasional outcroppings of granite, the savanna region is Nigeria's main agricultural area. In the east is the Adamawa Plateau, which borders Cameroon and in which is Nigeria's highest point, Dimlang (Vogel Peak), 2042 m (6699 ft) high.
Rivers and Lakes
The Niger River and its tributaries-principally the Benue, Kaduna, and Sokoto rivers-drain most of Nigeria. Rivers form an extensive inland navigation network, although hindered by rapids and seasonal fluctuations in depth. In the northeast is Lake Chad, located at the junction of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon.
Climate
Nigeria has two distinct climatic zones. Along the coast the equatorial maritime air mass influences the climate, which is characterized by high humidity and heavy rainfall. To the north the tropical continental air mass brings dry, dusty winds (harmattan) from the Sahara; the temperature varies considerably with the season, as does rainfall, which is far less than in the south.
"Nigeria, Federal Republic of," Microsoft® Encarta® 97 Encyclopedia.
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Last Revised: November 11, 2008 09:40 PM. |
