tish influence and control over what would become Nigeria grew
through the 19th century. A series of constitutions after World War
II granted Nigeria greater autonomy; independence came in 1960.
Following nearly 16 years of military rule, a new constitution was
adopted in 1999, and a peaceful transition to civilian government
was completed. The government continues to face the daunting task of
reforming a petroleum-based economy, whose revenues have been
squandered through corruption and mismanagement, and
institutionalizing democracy. In addition, Nigeria continues to
experience longstanding ethnic and religious tensions. Although both
the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections were marred by significant
irregularities and violence, Nigeria is currently experiencing its
longest period of civilian rule since independence. The general
elections of April 2007 marked the first civilian-to-civilian
transfer of power in the country's history.

Geography
Nigeria

Location:

Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and
Cameroon

Geographic coordinates:

10 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references:

Africa

Area:

total: 923,768 sq km
land: 910,768 sq km
water: 13,000 sq km

Area - comparative:

slightly more than twice the size of California

Land boundaries:

total: 4,047 km
border countries: Benin 773 km, Cameroon 1,690 km, Chad 87 km, Niger
1,497 km

Coastline:

853 km

Maritime claims:

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate:

varies; equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north

Terrain:

southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains
in southeast, plains in north

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m

Natural resources:

natural gas, petroleum, tin, iron ore, coal, limestone, niobium,
lead, zinc, arable land

Land use:

arable land: 33.02%
permanent crops: 3.14%
other: 63.84% (2005)

Irrigated land:

2,820 sq km (2003)

Total renewable water resources:

286.2 cu km (2003)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):

total: 8.01 cu km/yr (21%/10%/69%)
per capita: 61 cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards:

periodic droughts; flooding

Environment - current issues:

soil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and water
pollution; de