Nigeria Holiday

The African nation of Nigeria is an oil rich nation that has suffered from a turbulent history and is now starting to assert itself.

The country is home to a diverse population, fascinating archaeological sites, stunning national parks, beautiful mangroves, rich tropical forests and bustling cities.

Nigeria has been inhabited for at least 1,100 years and has provided archaeologists with a wealth of information about early humans. Bantu migrants arrived in the area from the 1st millennium BC to the 2nd millennium AD and early societies were relatively advanced, producing bronze goods, pottery and statues.

From the 1600s, European explorers started to arrive in Nigeria and established ports to traffic slaves. In 1901 the country became a British protectorate before declaring independence in 1960. Military dictators ruled the country for 16 years before adopting a constitution in 1999 and completing the transfer to a civilian government.

Now a federal republic, the Nigerian president is currently attempting to stabilise the oil-based economy, tackle corruption and crime, and address ethnic tensions. The country has been heavily affected by the Aids epidemic and has seen mortality rates soar in recent years.

Nigeria covers a total area of 923,768sq km (356,667sq miles) and boasts a total population of around 130 million. Bordering Benin, Chad, Cameroon and Niger, the Gulf of Guinea lies to the south and the West African country has 853km of coastline.

The nation's climate varies from arid desert in the north, to tropical and equatorial weather further south. The majority of the country consists of lowlands, with hills and plateaux in the centre, mountains to the southeast and barren plains to the north.

Nigeria is an ideal destination for those seeking natural and historical sights, with the mangrove swamp forest of the Niger Delta, tropical rain forest teeming with plant and animal life, savannah, array of indigenous ethnic groups, ancient sites and rich history.

The capital Abuja is located in the centre of the country and has been the seat of government since 1991. It is a relatively new city, built on oil money, and is growing rapidly, though much of it still appears unfinished.

One of the most popular sites with visitors to Nigeria is the 1,000-year-old city of Kano, with its ancient mud walls. Located on the edge of the Sahara Desert, it is now a bustling commercial centre with a well preserved Old City.

The Osun Sacred Forest and Shrine in the rainforest on the outskirts of Oshogbo is a stunning natural and cultural site, while the Yankari National Park offers the chance to see a range of animal and bird species, including buffaloes, hyenas, lions, leopards and baboons.

The country has a rich artistic and literary heritage, with ethnic music, dance and ritual kept alive in the towns and villages. The national sport is football and the country has taken part in three consecutive World Cup tournaments.

Shoppers will enjoy the colourful markets and traditional handicrafts on sale, while the lively bars, restaurants and other venues in its major cities provide a good introduction to the country and its culture.

The official language of Nigeria is English and there are a total of 250 indigenous languages spoken throughout the country. Because the Nigerian tourism industry is still very much in its infancy, accommodation and tourist amenities tend to be relatively basic, though there are a number of luxury hotels catering to foreign oil workers.

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