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Officially named as Federal Republic of Nigeria, Nigeria is a federal constitutional republic comprising thirty-six states and one Federal Capital Territory. Nigeria is located in the West Africa sharing the land border with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger towards the north. The coast of Nigeria lies on the Gulf of Guinea, part of the Atlantic Ocean, in the south. Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. According to the archeological evidences it is found that human habitation in Nigeria dates back to at least 9000 BC. Nigeria is the eighth most populous in world and the most populous in Africa. The country is listed among the "Next Eleven" economies.
Historical Perspective of Nigeria:
Nigeria got its independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960. The independent government of Nigeria was a coalition of conservative parties like the Nigerian People's Congress (NPC), Igbo and Christian dominated National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) led by Nnamdi Azikiwe. Beginning from 1979 the people of Nigeria took part in gaining their democracy back at the time when Obasanjo transferred power to the civilian government of Shehu Shagari. Since the perio of its historical development Nigeria has established a marked difference in attempts to tackle government corruption and to hasten development.
Geography of Nigeria:
The country of Nigeria is located in western Africa on the Gulf of Guinea with a total area of 923,768 kmē. Its extensive are has made it the 32nd-largest country. Chappal Waddi at 2,419 m is the highest point in Nigeria.
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The country of Nigeria has a varied landscape from the Obudu Hills in the southeast through the beaches in the south, the rainforest, the Lagos estuary and savannah in the middle and southwest of the country and the Sahel to the encroaching Sahara in the extreme north.
Main rivers flowing in Nigeriaa include the Niger and the Benue which empties into the Niger Delta, the world's largest river deltas. Nigeria is also remarkable for its biodiversity.
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The major areas surrounding the country include the Calabar, Cross River State. One specialty of Nigeria is the drill monkey found in the wild in Southeast Nigeria and neighboring Cameroon.
Nigerian Economy:
The petroleum plays the most important role in solidifying the economy of Nigeria. The petroleum production here is accounted for 40% of the GDP. The country is 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world and the 8th largest exporter, and has the 10th largest proven reserves.
Language:
At present the number of languages spoken here includes 521 in which there are 510 living languages, two second languages and 9 extinct languages. English is the official language of Nigeria. Other important languages spoken here include Yoruba, Ibo, the Hausa language is Afro-Asiatic and Kanuri.
Nigerian Cuisines:
Most of the cuisines of Nigeria are known for its richness and variety. Usually the cu9isines are made adding different spices, herbs and flavourings which are primarily used with palm oil or groundnut oil. The cuisines are often made with adding chilli peppers.
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