Nigeria
Africa · Western Africa
Overview
Nigeria lies in West Africa on the Gulf of Guinea, bordered by Benin, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. The country's population exceeds 220 million, making it the most populous nation in Africa and the sixth most populous in the world. Nigeria is remarkably diverse, home to more than 250 ethnic groups, the three largest being the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo, a diversity also reflected in linguistic and religious divisions, with the population divided roughly evenly between Muslim and Christian faiths. Britain administered the territory as a colony until 1960, and English remains the official language today. The country's economy relies heavily on oil extraction, making it Africa's largest oil producer.
Lagos, the country's former capital and largest city, is one of Africa's largest and most vibrant metropolises, a center of the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) and music scene. Abuja, the current capital, developed through planned urban design starting in the 1980s, features modern buildings, including the National Mosque and the National Christian Centre, symbolizing the country's religious diversity. The Sukur Cultural Landscape, a traditional Hausa-Mandara mountain community, with its agricultural architecture and ironworking heritage, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1999. The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, a Yoruba religious pilgrimage site along the Osun River, with sculptures and shrines, is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Niger River Delta, one of the largest river deltas in the world, is home to rich mangrove ecosystems, though oil industry pollution has significantly damaged the ecosystem in recent decades. Yankari National Park, in the northeastern part of the country, is home to elephants, lions, and numerous other wildlife species, along with the Wikki Warm Springs, a natural thermal spring and one of the park's popular attractions. The Obudu Plateau, in the southeastern highlands, with its cooler climate and panoramic views, is a popular destination for domestic tourism. Local cuisine varies enormously by region, with jollof rice, a tomato-based spiced rice dish, one of the best-known and most debated dishes in West Africa (with each country claiming the "best" version), along with egusi soup, a vegetable soup based on ground melon seeds.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →Sukur Cultural Landscape
The Sukur Cultural Landscape, with the Palace of the Hidi (Chief) on a hill dominating the villages below, the terraced fields and their sacred symbols, and the extensive remains of a former flourishing iron industry, is a remarkably intact physical expression of a society and its spiritual and material culture.
Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
The dense forest of the Osun Sacred Grove, on the outskirts of the city of Osogbo, is one of the last remnants of primary high forest in southern Nigeria. Regarded as the abode of the goddess of fertility Osun, one of the pantheon of Yoruba gods, the landscape of the grove and its meandering river is dotted with sanctuaries and shrines, sculptures and art works in honour of Osun and other deities. The sacred grove, which is now seen as a symbol of identity for all Yoruba people, is probably the last in Yoruba culture. It testifies to the once widespread practice of establishing sacred groves outside all settlements.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Nigeria?
The capital of Nigeria is Abuja.
What is the area of Nigeria?
The area of Nigeria is 923,768 km².
What is the population of Nigeria?
The population of Nigeria is 232,679,478.
What is the currency of Nigeria?
The currency of Nigeria is Nigerian naira (NGN).
What is the official language of Nigeria?
The official language of Nigeria: English.
What side of the road does Nigeria drive on?
Nigeria: Right-hand traffic.
Is Nigeria a member of the United Nations?
Yes, Nigeria is a member of the United Nations.