Nigeria+Geography

=Geography=


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Location:
Nigeria is geographically located in Western Africa. It borders the Gulf of Guinea, and is located between Benin and Cameroon. Its geographical coordinates are 10 00 N, 8 00 E. The Niger enters Nigeria in the Northwest and flows Southward though tropical rain forests and swamps to its delta in the Gulf of Guinea. (Nigeria, CIA fact book, 2011)

Climate:
The country of Nigeria generally has a tropical climate year-round. Ho wever, when variations occur it is mainly due to a change in rainfall. The majority of Nigeria experiences moisture-rich tropical air during the summertime. The average temperature ranges from about 25° to 28°C and temperatures generally remain this high throughout the year. Northern Nigeria experiences much greater temperature extremes than Southern Nigeria does. Rainfall often varies throughout the year. The beginning of the rainy season often begins in early March and ends in July. The rainy season will normally stop for a few weeks, and then continue to be a rainy season from early September until mid October.

Terrains:
In Southern Nigeria, lowlands merge into hills and plateaus. The Southeast region of Nigeria is made up of many mountains, while the North consists of plains.

Natural Resources:
Nigeria's natural resources include:
 * natu ral gas
 * petroleum
 * tin
 * iron ore
 * coal
 * limestone
 * niobium
 * lead
 * zinc
 * arable land

Natural Hazards:

 * periodic droughts
 * flooding

Land Use:
The land in Nigeria is used for many purposes including many that involves the country's natural resources. Some of these purposes include: extracting petroleum, columbite, tin, coal, iron ore, and limestone.

Water Use:
The Niger is the most important river that is in Nigeria. The Niger Delta is found where freshwater meets the salty Atlantic Ocean. This meeting place creates the perfect conditions for mangrove swamps to exist. Below is an image of the well-know Niger Delta.

Native Animals:
Nigeria is home to a wide variety of animals that thrive on the land. There are many wildlife sanctuaries and parks that welcome tourists to witness the beauty of nature in Nigeria. Many unique animals and endangered species are able to freely roam through the safety provided in the numerous reserved parks and national forests. Below are some pictures that are examples of native Nigerian animals.





Native Plants:
Nigeria is a country that is a suitable environment for many plants and animals to flourish. This is mainly due to its nutrient-rich soil, sufficient rainfall, and temperate temperature throughout the year. The vibrant green color found in the Nigerian flag is a positive reflection of the greenery that can be found outdoors in Nigeria. Below are photographs of some of the most common Nigerian plants and trees.