Nigeria, officially known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a multinational state located in the southeast corner of West Africa. Nigeria is a country located in West Africa that is officially known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is bordered by Niger to the north, Chad to the northeast, Cameroon to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south.
Nigeria is often referred to as “the Giant of Africa” due to its enormous population and rich culture. The country is known as the “Giant of Africa” because of its large landmass. Nowadays, it is one of the largest political and economic forces on the continent.
This map of Nigeria contains major cities, towns, states, roads, and rivers. You are free to use our Nigeria map for educational and commercial uses. Attribution is required. The map includes satellite imagery and an elevation map to view the topography and landscapes of Nigeria.
Geography and Landscape
Nigeria occupies an area of 923,769 square kilometers (356,669 sq mi), which is one of the largest countries in Africa. Nigeria is located in west Africa and covers an area of 923,768 square kilometers. It is home to diverse landscapes, including the Niger River, the Benue River, and the Chad Basin.
Its landscapes are mostly covered with plains and savannas. But it encompasses a wide mix of deserts, plains, swamps, mountains, and jungles. In general, Nigeria contains plains in the north. In the central region, it transitions to plateaus and hills. Finally, the southern region consists of coastal plains.
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But there are also several highland areas in the southeast as well, bordering Cameroon. These include the Cameroon Highlands, Atlantika Mountains, and Gotel Mountains. The Bornu Plains are to the northeast beside Chad. Whereas Sokoto Plains to the northwest with Niger.
Nigeria is located entirely in the tropical zone and offers a variety of landscapes, including plains, plateaus, hills, and mountains. In the central region are the highlands of the Jos Plateau, and further east, along the border with Cameroon, are the Shebshi Mountains, whose highest peak is Mount Dimlang, at over 2,400 meters.
Nigeria has three distinct climate zones: a Sahelian hot and semi-arid climate in the north, a tropical savannah climate in most of the central regions, and a tropical monsoon climate in the southeast of the country, hot and humid most of the year. Four bioclimatic regions determine the weather of the country. The northernmost part of Nigeria lies within the semi-arid Sahel, a transition zone between the Sahara Desert to the north and the tropical savannas (Sudanian savanna) and rainforests near the equator (Guinean forest-savanna mosaic).
Nigeria is rich in inland water resources; several rivers drain the country. The main rivers are the Niger, with a length of 4,200 km (2,600 mi.), the third longest river in Africa, and the Benue, the main tributary of the Niger. At the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers near Lokoja, view from Mt. Patti. The confluence of the two rivers is near the town of Lokoja. From there, the Niger flows south, where it then forms a river delta and subsequently empties into the Atlantic Ocean. The Niger Delta is a very densely populated region.
The Niger River is the longest in Nigeria, which flows from the northwest southward forming the Niger Delta where eventually it terminates into the Gulf of Guinea. Due to oil spills, the Niger Delta is one of the most polluted places in the world.
Background report on Niger Delta oil spills
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Political Divisions and Key Cities
Nigeria is divided into 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, based on the political map of Nigeria. States are the first-level administrative unit in Nigeria. Currently, there are 36 states and 1 federal territory. States evolved from the broader regions. Nigeria is a federal presidential republic consisting of 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
The capital of Nigeria is Abuja, a contemporary city constructed as the center of the country. Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. Abuja is Nigeria's capital city and is home to several government buildings and embassies. The capital Abuja is located in the center of the country.
Lagos, Kano, and Ibadan are some of Nigeria's major cities. Lagos, the former capital (until 1991), is Nigeria's largest city, a major financial hub and the country's economic center. Lagos is Nigeria's largest city and one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. It is home to several attractions, including the National Museum Lagos and the Nigerian National Theatre. Kano, the capital of Kano State, is situated in the savanna region south of the Sahel; it is Nigeria's second-largest city with an estimated population of 4 million. Ibadan, Nigeria's third largest city, is the capital of Oyo State. Benin City is the capital of Edo State. It was the center of the Kingdom of Benin, which flourished from the 13th to the 19th century. Port Harcourt is the capital and largest city of Rivers Stat, located in the Niger Delta. The port city was founded in 1912 by the British to export coal they had discovered near Enugu in 1909. Jos, also known as "J-Town," is the administrative capital and the largest city of Plateau State, located on the Jos Plateau near the geographical center of the country.
The largest state in Nigeria by landmass is Niger State, which covers an area of 76,363 square kilometers.
A Brief History of Nigeria
Nigeria has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back to 9,000 B.C. Nigeria has been home to several indigenous material cultures, pre-colonial states and kingdoms since the second millennium BC. The country has been home to several kingdoms, such as the Nok Culture, which flourished between 1,000 B.C. and 300 A.D., and is the earliest known civilization in Nigeria. Kainji Dam excavations showed ironworking by the 2nd century BC. The transition from Neolithic times to the Iron Age was accomplished without intermediate bronze production.
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The country was later ruled by various empires, including the Nri Kingdom, Kanem-Bornu Empire, the Oyo Empire, and the Sokoto Caliphate. The modern state originated with British colonialization in the 19th century, taking its present territorial shape with the merging of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate and the Northern Nigeria Protectorate in 1914. In 1914, Nigeria became a British protectorate, and it gained independence in 1960. The British set up administrative and legal structures and incorporated traditional monarchs as a form of indirect rule.
Since then, Nigeria has faced political instability, including a civil war from 1967 to 1970. Following independence, Nigeria experienced alternating periods of civilian and military rule until the return to democracy in 1999. Nigeria became a formally independent federation on 1 October 1960. Nigeria’s Independence Day is 1 October. It is the anniversary of the end of its colonialisation by the British.
Demographics, Language, and Culture
Nigeria is the most populous country in the map of Africa, with over 200 million people, and it is one of the largest countries on the continent. With a population of 224 million ( for 2023), Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa. With a population of more than 230 million, it is the most populous country in Africa, and the world's sixth-most populous country.
Nigeria is unique from other African nations because of its multiethnicity, film industry, and its 725-meter tall monolith outside the capital of Abuja, Zuma Rock. Nigeria is home to more than 250 ethnic groups, 370 tribes and about 500 distinct languages. While English is the official language, there are over 500 different languages. The official language in Nigeria is English, the language of government, commerce, and education. The main spoken languages are English (official), Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and others. The major ethnic groups in Nigeria are the Yoruba, Hausa, Fulani (Fula) and Igbo. Islam and Christianity are the two dominant religions in Nigeria.
Economy and Resources
Nigeria’s economy is mixed and is one of the emerging market economies. Nigeria's economy is the fourth-largest in Africa, the 53rd-largest in the world by nominal GDP, and 27th-largest by PPP. Its primary sectors of agriculture, manufacturing, and extractive industries include oil & gas.
The discovery of oil in the Niger Delta region in the mid-20th century reshaped the country’s economy, and it became one of the largest oil producers. Nigeria is Africa's second-largest oil and gas producer after Angola. Nearly 2 million barrels (320,000 m²) per day are produced in the Niger Delta, with an estimated 38 billion barrels in reserves.
Security Concerns
Nigeria has areas that are safe for visitors, especially in cities like Lagos and Abuja. Still, some regions face security challenges and should be avoided. Farming is the main occupation of most rural dwellers attacked by Boko Haram. Most victims of insurgency started their escape right from their farms, where they were attacked and their crops mercilessly plundered by members of Boko Haram. Boko Haram, a violent African Islamist insurgency, has terrorized communities around West Africa's Lake Chad Basin for years - creating new hardships and compounding existing ones for millions of people in northeast Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger, many of them still displaced and struggling to survive.
Nigeria and its Neighbors
Nigeria borders Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west. The country shares borders with several African countries such as Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin. The map shows Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, a multinational state located in the southeast corner of West Africa. It is bounded in the south by the Bight of Benin and the Bight of Biafra (Bight of Bonny) in the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean). The Gulf of Guinea is located to the south of the country.
Tourism
Nigeria is a country with a diverse landscape that is home to many natural wonders and tourist attractions. The map of Nigeria is home to several tourist attractions that range from natural wonders to historic sites. The country has something to offer for every tourist, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in exploring Africa.
Miscellaneous Facts
- Nigeria is unique from other African nations because of its multiethnicity, film industry, and its 725-meter tall monolith outside the capital of Abuja, Zuma Rock.
- The Nigerian Naira is the official currency in Nigeria, denoted as ₦ or NGN.
- Nigeria operates on West Africa Time (WAT), which is UTC+1.
- Nigeria is a regional power in Africa and a middle power in international affairs.
- Nigeria is a founding member of the African Union and a member of many international organizations, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, NAM, the Economic Community of West African States, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and OPEC.
- The name Nigeria derives from the Niger River running through the country. This name was coined on 8 January 1897, by the British journalist Flora Shaw.
Key Facts about Nigeria
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Federal Republic of Nigeria |
| Location | West Africa |
| Borders | Niger (North), Chad (Northeast), Cameroon (East), Benin (West) |
| Area | 923,769 sq km (356,669 sq mi) |
| Population (2023) | 224 million |
| Capital | Abuja |
| Largest City | Lagos |
| Official Language | English |
| Currency | Nigerian Naira (NGN) |
| Independence Day | October 1, 1960 |
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