Nigeria

//Made by Elisabeth og Tuva//


 * Federal** **republic** **of** **Nigeria**

//~Motto- Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress~//

//The green stands for fertility and farming The white stands for peace and agreement//

Nigeria is a republic in West- Africa. It is Africa most populous country and borders to Niger, Tsjad, Benin, and Kamerun. Abuja is the capital city in Nigeria, but the coastal city Lagos is the biggest. Nigeria can offer beautiful nature, and a colorful culture. It can be dangerous to travel in, but it can also be a great experience.

__Area:__ 932. 768. Square kilometer. __Population density:__ 144, 9 pr Square kilometers. __System of government:__ democratic republic (It was a military regime until 1999) __Capital city:__ Abuja __Average life:__ 51 years __Religion:__ Islam 50% Christianity 40 % African religions 10 % __Language:__ English __Coin:__ Naira __Export:__ Oil, cocoa, Rubber. __National day:__ 1. October __Highest Point:__ Chappal Waddi (2419 m)**
 * __Population:__ 133 million People


 * Nigerian history**

For 10 000 years ago, there were already human beings living inside the area we today call constitute Nigeria. The first known civilization of todays Nigeria is the Nok-people. They were Iron Age people, living in north- east from about 500 years before Christ until 200 after Christ. From 1600-1800 European forces established bases along the Nigerian coast. These were used to bring slaves to American colonies.

Nigerians further history shows a lot of war, conflicts and murders. In 1966 there were two military troops in Nigeria. In the military troops the leadership of the country, including the president Nnamdi Azikiwe and Balewa, were killed. General Johnson Aguiyi- Ironsi took over the power, but he only reached to command half a year before he also was killed. The year after it became a civil war between the federal state Biafra and the rest of the country The confrontation lasted until 1970.


 * Why are they talking English in Nigeria?**

The British people wanted to take the power above Nigeria and on that way exploit the country economic. To go trough with this they formed “the Royal Niger Company” in 1886. Then it became too hard for the Nigerian to fight against Great Britain. In January 1900 Nigeria were sold for 865 000 British pound. Nigeria became partly British. 1. October 1960, Nigeria got their total independence, after a short and peaceful process of detachment Abubaka Tafawa Balewa became Nigeria’s first president.


 * Nigerian culture**

The Nigerian culture is huge. They express very much trough modern art, dance, drama, language, literature, film, music and more. Although it is deeply traditional and spiritual, it continually receives international acclaim and appreciation. This culture reflects African, and in some areas, Islamic influences. Nigerian versatility in art is so great that it is generally felt that all African nations should view Nigeria as the principal trustee of the most durable fruits of black artistic genius. It is not precisely known when the first works of Nigerian art reached the outside world, but in 1897, following a British expedition to Benin, over 2,000 Benin bronzes and ivories were shipped to England and later dispersed all over Europe and America. At the National Museum in Lagos, works from all over the federation present a vivid picture of the national diversity of arts and crafts.

Sculptures The oldest sculptures found in Nigeria were from the Southern Zaria and Benue areas of central Nigeria. They consist of terracotta figures and figurines made by a people who achieved a high degree of cultural sophistication. These sculptures, together with other cultural elements, have been named the Nok Culture.




 * Conflicts in Nigeria**

Nigeria has in a long time struggled with conflicts between Christianize and Muslims, and the massive oil resources have caused a lot of violence and environment problems. Military regimes have set its character on Nigeria’s government all the way since the country got their independence in 1960. The military regime got dissolved in 1999. Today Nigeria has a president called Umaru Yar’Aduja.

In the northern part of Nigeria the majority is Muslims, but the Christianize is dominated in the south. It has in a long time been a conflict between the groups, and has cost to innumerable innocent lives. Another conflict in Nigeria is the well known oil problems. Nigeria is known to have a lot of oil along the coast. But the problem is that the oil money is given to the authorities and not to the population. Nothing of the profit goes to the people. And because many of the Nigerians are furious, the result is violence and fights all over the country.

Nigeria still has death penalty. Most of the victims are women, which have gotten a baby without being married. The men that are involved don’t get any sort of punishment. The most known death penalty case in Nigeria was Amina Lawal who got doomed to be stoned because she got a baby without being married. Later she got cleared because of the massive international pressure. It is also forbidden to be homosexual. If you have homosexual intercourse you can be punished with death.

The United Nations had decided to stay outside the conflicts in Nigeria.


 * Geography and climate**

Nigeria its laying north for the Guineabay, in the western Africa. The biggest citys and the largest population of Nigeria is in the south of the country. Nigeria splits in tree parts of the two rivers Niger and Benue. The rivers is passing through the country from north-west and from east and reach each other in the middle of Nigeria.

The northern section of Nigeria have a lot of highland with savannes. It is here in north of Nigeria, Sahara, the desert begins. The south part is most low country with tropic climat, a lot of rain, and rain forrest.

The richt soil makes Nigearia a good country for agreculture. And in additon the country has great oil and gas resources. In the latest years Nigeria are suffering from serius environment troubles caused by the oil industry. Water, air and soil has been polluted. Many agreculture areas has been damaged by oil spill. Another problem in Nigeria is deforestation.

Nigeria is a hot country, but from mars to may and from october to december its the rainy season. Savanna climate is it only in the northern areas. Big parts of Nigeria also have a wery humid climate who comes from high humidity mixed with high temperatures.

Chappel waddi is Nigerias higest mountain (2419 m).

The Farin Ruwa Falls in Nasarawa state. Nigeria has an abundance of physical attractions ranging from hills, waterfalls, springs, caves, lakes and mountains. The Farin Ruwa falls are a few hours from Abuja.



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[|www.mikaelplahn.se] [|www.ferieguiden.no] [|www.motherlandnigeria.com] [|www.e-nigeria.net] [|www.globalis.no] [|www.wikipedia.no] [|www.FN.no] [|www.ontheglobe.com]
 * __Sources:__**