Terrain

Nigeria can be divided into four distinct geographical zones: the coastal region with its mangrove forests and swamps interrupted by numerous lagoons and bays; a dry highland and savannah region in the north, the climate of which is influenced by the harmattan, a wind blowing from the desert; and a central savannah region. Low-lying areas in the south are characterised by rainfall, rainforests and the country's highest population density. The Adamaua mountain range in Nigeria's east forms the border with Cameroon.

Climate

Nigeria's climate is mostly hot and tropical, but varies according to region. The coastal areas are characterised by high humidity and heavy rainfall. Dry winds from the Sahara carry a large amount of dust inland, where temperatures vary considerably according to season, as does rainfall, of which there is less than in the south of Nigeria.

Fauna/Flora

Nigeria has the third largest mangrove forests in the world, which are however threatened by intensive oil drilling. Other habitats include wetland areas covered by raffia palms, swamps and mountain forests. Rapid deforestation amounting a loss of 70-80% of forested areas is one of the consequences of an ever-increasing number of inhabitants, who need firewood and cultivable areas.

Nigeria has a great variety of animal species, but some of them are threatened with extinction, such as chimpanzees, elephants, hippopotamuses and gorillas. Recent studies have discovered a rich fauna in the delta of the Niger river, where there are different species of monkeys, spotted-necked otters, mongooses, oriental small-clawed otters, squirrels, antelopes, elephants, and a number of water animals, birds, reptiles and insects.

History/Politics

As successors to the Nok civilization (500 - 200 BC), the Yoruba people established a democratic, urban system of administration and an influential confederation of city-states. Around the 15th century, Portuguese spice traders (who were later involved in the slave trade) were the first Europeans to have contact with the indigenous population. The flourishing slave trade resulted in conflict between the Portuguese and the British, with the British eventually gaining control of the coastal areas in the 18th century.

The slave trade was abolished at the beginning of the 19th century, but the British continued to explore the central parts of the country and placed the three distinctive cultures of the Haussa, Yoruba, and Ibo under a single administration. The area became a British colony in 1914. In spite of the country's artificial unity, all three ethnic groups presented a united front in striving for independence, especially after World War II.

On 1 October 1960, Nigeria became an independent state within the Commonwealth of Nations. The first prime minister, Nnamdi Azikiwe, led a coalition government which included the major parties of the north and east regions. Azikiwe was appointed Nigeria's first president when Nigeria became a republic in 1963.

However, the country's independence did not automatically lead to unity among Nigeria's ethnic groups. Nigeria went through an unstable period with bloody military coups and ethnic chauvinism, which eventually led to the outbreak of the Biafra War in 1967 after the Ibo people tried to gain independence. The war that cost more than a million lives finally ended in 1970, and Lieutenant General Yakubu Gowon became head of government.

While Gowon was in power, Nigeria enjoyed four years of economic growth due to an increase in revenue from crude oil and the nationalisation of various foreign oil companies. Despite promises of a return to civilian rule, military rule prevailed and led to recurring coups and ethnic conflict. The resulting political instability was characterised by a succession of short-lived military governments. The year 1999 saw the adoption of a new constitution and peaceful transition to civilian rule. Ousegun Obasanja, a former Yoruba military member, was elected president.

He was re-elected in 2003. In May 2004, religious conflicts broke out and a state of emergency was declared in Plateau State. Three months later, fighting flared up between different ethnic groups and the military had to intervene. According to unofficial figures, about 500 people lost their lives.

Economy

Nigeria's economy has great potential in terms of productivity, diversity and vitality. However, it mainly depends on the production of crude oil, which accounts for 95% of export earnings. 70% of the country's active population is employed in the agricultural sector.

As agricultural production could not keep up with population growth, Nigeria has switched over from exporting food to importing it. Major agricultural products include maize, rice, yams, peanuts, bananas, cotton, and sugar cane. Cattle breeding is most common in the north. Major manufacturing products include coal, tin, columbite, palm oil, rubber, timber, textiles, and building materials. Unemployment was 28% in 2003, while the inflation rate was 12.9%.

Culture

The most impressive festivals take place in the north of Nigeria. The most important is the Id el Fitr celebration at the end of Ramadan. Another important festival is Id el Kabir (69 days later) to remember Abraham's sacrifice. The most spectacular event is the Katsina Durbar, with prayers in the morning, a colourful parade of ornately dressed Hausa and Fulani horsemen, and leading figures dressed in ceremonial robes. Nigerian author Akinwande Oluwole Soyinka was the first African to be awarded the Nobel prize in literature (1986). Chinua Achebe and Ben Okri are also famous Nigerian writers.