Nigeria

I

Introduction

Nigeria, officially Federal Republic of Nigeria, federal republic, western Africa, bounded on the north by Niger, on the east by Chad and Cameroon, on the south by the Gulf of Guinea, and on the west by Benin. The most populous country in 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 and member of the Commonwealth of Nations on October 1, 1960. Following a period of tension among its ethnic groups, especially the Yoruba of the south-west, the Igbo of the south-east, and the Hausa and Fulani of the north, Nigeria was ruled by the military from 1966 to 1979. During 1967-1970 the Igbo people attempted—without ultimate success—to secede from Nigeria by forming the Republic of Biafra. A brief period of civilian rule (1979-1983) ended with a military coup. Military rule under different leaderships continued until 1999, when civilian rule was once again restored after the death of General Sani Abacha.

II

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 non-agricultural economic resources are its massive offshore petroleum and natural-gas deposits.

Nigeria can be divided into four distinct geographical regions. Along the coast is a belt of mangrove forests and swamps, stretching some 16 km (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 (60 mi) inland. Beyond the coast, lowlands follow the valleys of the Niger and Benue, but otherwise the land gives way to a broad, hilly, forested belt that gradually rises to the rocky terrain of the Jos and Bauchi plateaux. Beyond these plateaux is a region of savannah, which stretches to the semi-desert Sahelian zone in the extreme north. A great plain, marked by occasional outcroppings of granite, the savannah region is Nigeria’s main agricultural area. In the east is the Adamwa Plateau, which borders Cameroon and in which is Nigeria’s highest point, Dimlang (Vogel Peak), 2,042 m (6,699 ft) high.

A

Rivers and Lakes

The Niger River and its tributaries—principally the Benue, Kaduna, and Sokoto rivers—drain most of Nigeria. In the north-east, the rivers drain into Lake Chad. Navigation of the Niger and its tributaries is restricted by rapids and seasonal fluctuations in depth.

B

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. The main rains occur between April and October; average rainfall ranges from 2,497 mm (100 in) at Port Harcourt on the Niger Delta to 869 mm (35 in) at Kano in the north.