WEST AFRICA: NIGERIA Capital: Abuja Largest city: Lagos Languages: English Demonym: Nigerian Currency: Naira (NGN) Calling code: +234

The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. Its coast in the south lies on the Gulf of Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. Nigeria, known as "the Giant of Africa", is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world. With the rise of foreign economic interest in Africa, it’s no surprise that Africa’s most populous country has received plenty of attention lately. Monetary matters aside, Nigeria’s main cities have been becoming more and more cosmopolitan over the years, and that has directly contributed to an increase in tourism and popularity among foreigners.

Calabar beach

Zuma rock

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WEST AFRICA: NIGERIA Nigeria's cultural heritage is woven from threads of history and

diversity, legend and conquest. Tourists visiting the country will

gain insights to a glorious past as well as a promising future,

set amid the natural beauty of this diverse country. Nigeria

offers a remarkable range of physical beauty in her land and

hospitality of her people, ready to be enjoyed by the tourist

fortunate enough to choose this land of ancient empires as

their travel destination.

Nigeria offers a wide variety of tourist attractions such as extended and roomy river and ocean beaches ideal for swimming and other water sports, unique wildlife, vast tracts of unspoiled nature ranging from tropical forests, magnificent waterfalls, some new rapidly growing cities and climatic conditions in some parts particularly conducive to holidaying.

The Yankari National Park is the premier game reserve in Nigeria. The beauty and size of The Yankari Game Reserve make it the most popular reserve in Nigeria. The reserve covers 2,058 sq. km. of savanna woodland and is well-stocked with elephants, baboons, waterbucks, bushbucks, oribi, crocodile, hippopotamus, roan antelope, buffalo and various types of monkeys. Lions are occasionally spotted as well, despite their natural camouflage.

The Obudu Ranch is a popular holiday destination for adventurous tourists wishing to explore the remote corners of Nigeria. Situated in the northeast corner of Cross River State, only 45 miles from the Cameroon border, a tourist can enjoy the countryside of both Nigeria and Cameroon at the same time.

The country has many other natural beauties like the city of Kano, different festivals like the Eyo and argungun festivals, the sacred grove of osun-osogbo, and Abuja. Nigeria is a veritable treasure trove of beautiful handmade crafts. Drawing from ancient traditions, Nigerian artisans create marvelous wood carvings, metal castings, exotic jewelry, traditional clothing, intricately decorated calabashes and finely-crafted leatherwork.