Georgraphy and population
Nigeria lies between the geographic coordinates, 10 00N, 8 00 E. The nation, officially known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria, borders the Gulf of Guinea on the south, Cameroon on the east, Niger on the north and Benin on the west. With a total of 923,768 square kilometers of space (which is slightly more than twice the size of California, Nigeria is the most populous country on the African continent, with an estimated population of 123,338,000.

Administration
Administratively, Nigeria is divided into 36 states, each with its own governor, plus the federal capital at Abuja. The names of the states are shown on the map on the following page.

Resources & Economy
Nigeria's natural resources include petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore, coal, limestone, lead, zinc, natural gas, hydropower and arable land. The mainstay of Nigeria's industries consists of crude oil, tin, columbite, palm oil, peanuts, cotton, rubber, wood, hides and skins, textiles, cement and other construction materials, food products, footwear, chemicals, fertilizers, printing ceramics and steel. Its argricultural products include cocoa, peanuts, palm oil, corn, rice, sorghum, millet, cassava, yams, rubber, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, timber and fish. Nigeria's export partners include the United States (35%), Spain (11%), India (9%), France (6%), and Italy. The national currency is the naira (N=100 kobo).
The nation's main import commodities are machinery, chemicals, transport equipment, manufactured goods, food and live animals. Imports in 1999 totaled about $29 billion (estimated). [Unfortunately, due largely to mismanagement, over-reliance on the oil industry and rapid population growth, Nigeria, which was once a net exporter of food must import food.]

Air Transportation
Nigeria has about 37 airports with paved run-ways (ranging in length from 914 meters to over 3,000 meters in length), and another 34 with unpaved runways (ranging in length from 914 meters to over 1,500 meters).

Participation in International Affairs
Nigeria is an active member of numberous international orgaizations, including ACP, AfDB, C, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, FAO, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Inmarast, Intelstat, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, OAU, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, UNMIK,UNMOP, UNMOT, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, Wt00, AND WtrO.

The Nigerian National Anthem
Arise, O Compatriots, Nigeria's call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength and faith
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

O God of creation, direct our noble cause;
Guide our Leaders right;
Help our Youth the truth to know
In love and honesty to grow
And living just and true
Great lofty heights attain
To build a nation where peace and justice reign.

The Pledge
I pledge to Nigeria my country
To be faithful, loyal and honest
To serve Nigeria with all my strength
To defend her unity
And uphold her honor and glory
So help me God.