Federal Republic of Nigeria

Capital: Abuja
Currency: 1 naira = 100 kobo
Independece: October 1, 1960 (from UK)

NATURAL FEATURES

Principal Physical Features. Coastal plain with mangrove swamps, Jos Plateau, Chad Basin, Niger Delta. Highest Peak: Dimlang, 6,700 feet (2,042 meters).
Major Rivers: Benue, Niger.
Mountain Ranges: Adamawa Mountains, Jos Plateau.
Largest Lake: Lake Chad.

PEOPLE

Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous country, is composed of more than 250 ethnic groups; the following are the most populous and politically influential: Hausa and Fulani 29%, Yoruba 21%, Igbo (Ibo) 18%, Ijaw 10%, Kanuri 4%, Ibibio 3.5%, Tiv 2.5%
Major Religions: Christianity, Islam, African indigenous.
Major Languages: English (official), Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Tiv.
Literacy: 50.7 percent.
Major Universities: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria; University of Ibadan; University of Lagos; University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

GOVERNMENT

Form of Government: Republic transitioning from military to civilian rule.
Voting Qualification: Age 18.
Political Divisions: 36 states and 1 territory*; Abia, Abuja Federal Capital Territory*, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara.

ECONOMY

Chief Agricultural Products: Crops--cassava, sorghum, millet, rice, corn (maize), plantains. Livestock--goats, sheep, cattle.
Chief Mined Products: Petroleum, natural gas, limestone, marble.
Chief Manufactured Products: Petroleum products, food and beverages, textiles, chemical products, metal products, machinery and transport equipment, paper products.
Chief Exports: Petroleum, cocoa beans, rubber, chemicals.
Chief Imports: Machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, chemicals, food, mineral fuels.

TRANSPORTATION

The growth in oil revenues facilitated an expansion of the Nigerian road system, which now connects the entire country. The national airline provides extensive service across the states. Railways  total:3,557 km; Highways  total:194,394 km; Waterways  8,575 km consisting of the Niger and Benue rivers and smaller rivers and creeks; Ports and harbors  Calabar, Lagos, Onne, Port Harcourt, Sapele, Warri

REFERENCES

Dictionary, Encyclopedia, World Facts, Yahoo!