Nigeria. Federal Republic of Nigeria: government, capital, population

Useful information for tourists about Nigeria, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Nigeria, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Nigeria.

Geography of Nigeria

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a state in West Africa. It borders Benin to the west, Niger to the north, Chad to the northeast, and Cameroon to the east.

The Niger and Benue rivers divide the country into two parts: the coastal plain is located in the southern part, and low plateaus predominate in the northern part. Nai highest point countries, Mount Chappal Waddi (2419 m) is located in the state of Taraba near the Nigerian-Cameroonian border.


State

State structure

Nigeria is a presidential republic. The president is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Bicameral National Assembly (Congress), consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Language

State language: English

There are about 400 local languages ​​and dialects, the most common languages ​​are Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo.

Religion

About 50% of the country's population are Muslims, 40% are Christians (the majority are Protestants), about 10% of Nigerians adhere to traditional African beliefs (animalism, fetishism, the cult of ancestors, forces of nature, etc.)

Currency

International name: NGN

Naira is equal to 100 kobo. The circulation of other currencies is officially prohibited, although in reality almost all hard currencies of the world are accepted in the markets and in private shops.

Using credit cards and traveler's checks is difficult, only possible in the capital. Currency exchange can only be done in banks and official exchange offices.

Nigeria Tourism

Purchases

Everywhere, both in the market and in shops, you can and should bargain.

Decided to organize a holiday in Nigeria? Looking for the best Nigeria hotels, hot tours, resorts and last minute deals? Interested in the weather in Nigeria, prices, the cost of a tour, do I need a visa to Nigeria and would be useful detailed map? Would you like to see what Nigeria looks like in photos and videos? What are the excursions and attractions in Nigeria? What are the stars and reviews of hotels in Nigeria?

Federal Republic of Nigeria country in West Africa. It borders Benin to the west, Niger to the north, Chad to the northeast, and Cameroon to the east.

The Niger and Benue rivers divide the country into two parts: the coastal plain is located in the southern part, and low plateaus predominate in the northern part. The highest point in the country, Mount Chappal Waddi (2419 m) is located in the state of Taraba near the Nigerian-Cameroonian border.

Airports in Nigeria

Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport

Benin Airport

Warri Airport

Kaduna Airport

Calabar Margaret Ekpo International Airport

Kano International Airport

Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport

Port Harcourt International Airport

Enugu Akanu Ibiam International Airport

Nigeria hotels 1 - 5 stars

Weather in Nigeria

The climate is equatorial monsoon and subequatorial, with high humidity. Average annual temperatures everywhere exceed +25°C. In the north, the hottest months are March-June, in the south - April, when the temperature reaches +30-32°C. The rainiest and "coolest" month is August. The greatest amount of precipitation falls in the Niger Delta (up to 4000 mm per year), in the central part of the country - 1000–1400 mm, and in the extreme northeast - only 500 mm. The driest period is winter, when the harmattan wind blows from the northeast, bringing daytime heat and sharp daily temperature changes from the desert regions of the mainland.

Language of Nigeria

State language: English

There are about 400 local languages ​​and dialects, the most common languages ​​are Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo.

Currency of Nigeria

International name: NGN

Naira is equal to 100 kobo. The circulation of other currencies is officially prohibited, although in reality almost all hard currencies of the world are accepted in the markets and in private shops.

Using credit cards and traveler's checks is difficult, only possible in the capital. Currency exchange can only be done in banks and official exchange offices.

Customs restrictions in Nigeria

The transit of foreign currency is limited only when leaving: you can import without restrictions, and you can export the amount within the limits of the imported foreign currency. The exchange can be made at any exchange office. Checks are advised to keep. When transiting an amount up to $3000, its declaration is not required.

It is forbidden to export products made of bronze, animal skins, bird feathers, elephant bones, gold coins. The import ban is on weapons, drugs. Without imposing a duty, you can enter: perfumery - 250 g, household appliances, photo, audio and video equipment - one item of each name, spirits - 1 liter, tobacco - 200 g, cigars - 50 pcs., cigarettes - 200 pieces, wine - 1 liter.

Importation of animals

For the import of animals, you need a special veterinary opinion on the absence of animal diseases and on the vaccination against rabies, as well as permission from the country's veterinary service.

Mains voltage: 220V

Shopping in Nigeria

Everywhere, both in the market and in shops, you can and should bargain.

Safety

Nigeria is a country with a complex criminal situation, it is not recommended to enter into conflicts with the local population, to carry or leave large sums of money in a hotel room, to use a taxi at night, especially when other Nigerians are in it besides the driver.

Fraud is quite widespread, especially when using foreign currencies, so it is recommended to change some amount into naira in small denominations in advance for everyday use.

Code of the country: +234

First level geographic domain name:.ng

Nigeria short message presented in this article will tell you a lot useful information about a West African country.

Message about Nigeria

The message about Nigeria should begin with the fact that the country is located on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. Its area is 923,768 km2. Nigeria is bordered by Benin to the west, Niger to the north, Chad to the northeast, and Cameroon to the east.

Population of Nigeria at the end of 2017 there were 194,615,054 people.

Consists of 36 states and the metropolitan area. The largest city is Lagos (8 million), the former capital. Other big cities Kano, Ibadan. The capital is the city of Abuja.

The most common religions in Nigeria are Christianity and Islam.

Relief of Nigeria

The highest point in the country is Mount Chappal Waddi, which is located on the border with Niger and Cameroon. In the southern part of Nigeria there is the Maritime Plain, and in the northern part there are low plateaus. The coastal plain was formed by river sediments and along its coast there are chains of sandy spits. In the north, the territory passes into the Yoruba plateau, a low plateau. Beyond it lies the Northern Plateau. In the northwestern part of Nigeria, the plateau gives way to the plains of Borno and Sokoto.

Climate of Nigeria

The climate of the country is equatorial. There are 2 climatic zones on the territory: a very humid and hot climate along the coast and changeable in the north depending on the season. The average annual temperature is + 25 °С.

During the year, the country averages up to 4000 mm of precipitation in the Niger Delta and no more than 500 mm in the far north.

Water resources of Nigeria

Nigeria is dissected by the valleys of the most big rivers Benue and Niger. It is separated from the ocean by a belt of narrow coastal swamps. The main water tributaries of the country are Kaduna, Sokoto and Gongola, Imo and Cross. Most large lake in the country of Chad.

Soil and fossils of Nigeria

In Nigeria, almost all soils are acidic, formed on sandstones. In the north, they were formed from the sands of the deserts. Deposits found throughout the country sedimentary rocks that are fortified with iron. Many iron ore deposits have also been found here. But they are not developed. The largest of them are located in Sokoto, Mount Patty. Previously, natural gas, oil, columbite, tin and limestone were mined in the country. Today, these minerals are mined less intensively.

Flora and fauna of Nigeria

Nigeria lies in the rainforest and savannah zone. The coast of the country is dominated by swamp forests, which are replaced by dense tropical forests. They grow such trees as kaya, hard-resin triplochiton, high chlorophore, oil palm. The northern part of the country is characterized by the change of forests to tall grasses and shrubs. The following trees are common in the country: baobab, tamarind, pseudoacacia, acacia, mimosa, isoberline, kaya, mitragina. That north-east of the state stretches the Sahelian savannah and only near Lake Chad sprouts lush greenery, thickets of papyrus and reeds.

The diversity of the animal world is mainly preserved in national reserves and parks. Their placement depends on the flora. Monkeys, crocodiles and snakes live in the southern forests and swamps, in the north - camels, antelopes, hyenas. Less commonly, you can meet lions and giraffes here. Gazelles, elephants, leopards and gorillas live in tropical forests and wet savannahs.

In the waters there are fish, hippos. Birds include vultures, African bustards, kites, snipes, hawks, quails, ostriches, parakeets and doves.

Sights of Nigeria

The National Museum of Nigeria houses a huge collection of art objects that covers all historical periods of the country's development. Museums in Ibadana, Kaduna, Benin City, Ilorin, Jos deserve special attention.

We hope that the report on the geography "Nigeria" helped you learn a lot about this country in West Africa. And you can add a message on the topic "Nigeria" through the comment form below.

(from Great Britain)

car traffic on right[d]

Geographic Information

The highest point in the country is Mt. Chappal Waddy(2419 m) located in the state Taraba close to the Nigerian-Cameroonian border.

To the north of the Primorsky Plain, the country's territory passes into a low plateau - the Yoruba plateau to the west of the river Niger and the Udi plateau to the east. Next is the Northern Plateau, the height of which varies from 400-600 m to more than 1000 m. The highest is the central part of the plateau - the plateau Jos, the highest point of which is Mount Shere (1735 m). In the northwest, the Northern Plateau passes into the Sokoto Plain, in the northeast - into the Born Plain.

Story

On October 1, 1960, Nigeria, which had previously been a British colony in West Africa, became independent state. The first government of independent Nigeria was based on a coalition of the NCPC and CNC parties, a representative of the CNC became the prime minister Abubakar Tafava Baleva. After the proclamation of Nigeria as a republic in 1963, the presidency was taken by Nnamdi Azikiwe(representative of the NSIS). The opposition was represented by the Action Group led by Obafemi Awolowo. The regional governments were headed by: in the North - the leader of the SNK Ahmadu Bello, in the West - by S. Akintola from the Action Group and in the East - by the representative of the NSIS M. Okpara. In 1963, a fourth region, the Midwest, was formed on the territory of the eastern part of Western Nigeria. In the elections held in 1964 in this region, the NSNG won.

Persecution resumed in the north igbo, thousands of people were killed, which led to the Igbo exodus to the east, their attempts to create a state Biafra and civil war 1967-1970. The country returned to a federal system.

Civil War 1967-1970

The country's political parties were banned during the periods 1966-1978, 1984-1989 and 1993-1998. In 1975, Gowon was overthrown by a group of officers led by Murtals of Muhammad, who was known for his intolerance of corruption and indiscipline; it is believed that the program to combat these phenomena in society that he promulgated and launched could have crowned with worthy results, but Mohammed himself was killed in February 1976 during another, this time unsuccessful, coup attempt, which was organized by Lieutenant Colonel Buka Bitch Dimka. who succeeded him Olusegun Obasanjo handed over, as originally intended, power to a civilian government headed by Shehu Shagari elected to this post under very dubious circumstances.

In March 2015, elections were held, which were won by Mohammad Buhari. May 29 In 2015, Mohammadu Buhari was sworn in as the new President of Nigeria.

From the first half of the 2000s to the present, a terrorist Islamist group has been operating in Nigeria and neighboring countries. Boko Haram", which advocates the adoption of Sharia norms and the eradication of "attributes of the West" (secular education, elections, etc.).

State structure

Legislature

Bicameral National Assembly ( National Assembly, the National Assembly).

The upper chamber is the Senate (109 seats). Senators are elected by majority system of relative majority in 36 three-member and one single-member districts. The President of the Senate is elected indirectly from among the senators.

The lower house is the House of Representatives (360 seats). Deputies are elected by majority system of relative majority. The term of office of all deputies is 4 years.

73 seats in the Senate and 213 in the House of Representatives are controlled by the pro-presidential People's Democratic Party (PDP) (centrists). The All People's Party (Conservatives) has 28 and 95 seats, respectively.

executive branch

The president is the head of state and commander in chief armed forces. He is elected by universal direct secret ballot for a term of 4 years and can hold office for no more than two consecutive terms. In May 2006, the Senate refused to approve a constitutional amendment allowing the president to run for a third term.

Armed forces

Ground forces - 100 thousand people; eight divisions (2 mechanized, 3 motorized, 2 mixed, 1 tank), as well as a guards brigade (located in the capital).

Air Force - 10 thousand people. (according to foreign experts, the air fleet is not combat-ready).

Naval forces - 8 thousand people; 1 frigate, 1 corvette, 2 missile boats, 3 patrol boats.

Foreign policy

Administrative division

The territory of Nigeria is divided into 36 states (English state) and one federal capital territory (Federal Capital Territory), which in turn are divided into 774 local government territories(Local Government Area, LGA) .

Cities

Population

The population of Nigeria is 183,614,580 (July 2015 estimate, 7th in the world). According to forecasts, by 2050 Nigeria will become the fifth in this indicator.

Ethnic composition: more than 250 aboriginal peoples and tribes. The largest nationalities: hausa- 22% (42 million), yoruba- 21% (40 million), igbo (for) and ijo - 18% (34 million), Fulani- 10% (19 million), ibibio - 5% (9 million), kanuri - 4% (8 million).

The literacy rate of the population over 15 is 68% (2003 estimate).

Languages

The official language of Nigeria is English, languages ​​are also widely spoken among the population edo, efik, adavama fulfulde , hausa, idoma, igba , central kanuri , yoruba. In total, there are 527 languages ​​in Nigeria, of which 512 are living, 2 are second without native speakers, 11 - dead. Among the Nigerian dead languages ​​are Ayawa, Basa Gumna, Hola, Auyokawa, Gamo-Ningi, Kpati, Mawa, Kubi, and Teshenawa.

Local languages ​​are used mainly for communication and in the media, some languages ​​are also taught in schools. Most of the country's population speaks two or more languages.

For the various languages ​​of Nigeria in the 1980s, a pannigerian alphabet based on Latin.

Religion in Nigeria

Believers - Muslims 50%, Christians 40%, adherents of local traditional beliefs 10%.

Religious clashes in Nigeria

Religious clashes occur between representatives of different religious groups such as Muslims and Christians. The Nigerian government regularly sends troops and police to stop the massacres. Northern part of Nigeria (where the majority are Muslims) since 1999 lives according to the laws sharia.

One of the significant series of massacres on religious grounds was the destruction of sixteen cities and villages in northern Nigeria in the state of Borno in early January 2015 by militants of a radical Islamist organization " Boko Haram, advocating the introduction of Sharia throughout the country

Economy

The oil sector gives Nigeria 14% of GDP, up to 95% of export earnings and provides up to 80% of budget revenues. AT 2003 oil revenues amounted to about $ 22 billion. By 2006, Nigeria's oil income reached 2.4 billion euros, and Nigeria itself was in 6th place in terms of oil production in the world.

Nigeria is one of the main oil suppliers in Western Europe and ranks fifth in the supply of crude oil in USA. In June 2004 Deliveries of Nigerian oil to the US reached 1.2 million barrels per day, accounting for 9.3% of US crude oil imports.

Since the beginning of the 21st century, the activities of foreign companies have been hindered by non-governmental armed groups, such as MEND , The Bakassi Boys , African Boys Egbesu, People's Volunteer Forces of the Niger Delta carrying out bombings and captures of foreign workers ( expats) as hostages. AT 2009, on the background world recession, it was reported that attacks by Nigerian militants on oil facilities had a significant impact on the prices of the world oil market.

Transport and communications

In September 2003 from the cosmodrome Plesetsk(Russia) launched the Nigerian satellite "Nigeria Sat-1" to participate in the international Earth monitoring system - Disaster Monitoring Constellation. Nigeria came third (after South Africa and Algeria) a country on the continent that has its own spacecraft.

Nigeria has a well-developed railway and automobile transport.

Connection

Communication is developing rapidly, there are over 73 million mobile subscribers in the country.

Tourism

Tourism is one of the important components of the country's budget. The country has rainforests , savannas , waterfalls, a set of objects with cultural and historical meaning. However, a number of regions of the country suffer from power shortages, poor road quality and dirty drinking water.

International trade

Export in 2009 - 45.4 billion dollars - oil and oil products (95%), cocoa, rubber.

The main buyers are the USA 42%, Brazil 9.5%, India 9%, Spain 7.3%, France 5.1%.

Imports in 2009 - 42.1 billion dollars - industrial products, chemical products, vehicles, consumer goods, food.

The main suppliers are China 16.1%, the Netherlands 11.3%, the USA 9.8%, the UK 6.2%, South Korea 6.1%, France 5.1%, Germany 4.4%.

culture

Cinema

Nigeria ranks second in the world in terms of the number of feature films produced. films(872 films in 2006), yielding only India(1091 films) and bypassing USA(485 films). Nigerian film industry, similar to Hollywood called Nollywood. The average cost of producing a feature film in Nigeria is around 15,000 dollars.

Sport

National sport, as in many countries - football. Nigerian national football team achieved significant success: she took part in 6 world championships(in 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014 and 2018), won African Cup in 1980, 1994 and 2013. In 1996 Nigeria won gold Olympic Games by defeating Argentina in the final. In addition, the Nigerian youth team (under 20 years old) is the silver medalist of the 1989 and 2005 World Cups, and the Nigerian youth team (under 17 years old) won the world championships four times (1985, 1993, 2007, 2013) and reached three more times. finals (1987, 2001, 2009). Many Nigerian football players play in European championships.

Nigerian athletes have been participating in the Olympic Games since 1952. By 2012, athletes from Nigeria had won 23 medals, most of which (13) were won by track and field athletes, including 2 gold medals. The rest of the medals were won in football, boxing, weightlifting and taekwondo [ ] .

mass media

State broadcaster NTA ( Nigerian Television Authority- “Nigerian Television Authority”), includes the TV channel of the same name, the state radio company FRCN ( Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria- "Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria"), includes radio stations Radio Nigeria and regional radio stations, created in 1978 by the merger of NBC ( Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation- "Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation") and BCNN ( Broadcasting Corporation of Northern Nigeria, Northern Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation)

Read also