923,768 sq km (356,669 sq miles).

97,223,521 (1995).

105.2 per sq km.

Abuja

298,000.

Nigeria has borders with Niger to the north, Chad (across Lake Chad) to the northeast, Cameroon to the east and Benin to the west. To the south, the Gulf of Guinea is indented by the Bight of Benin and the Bight of Biafra. The country's topography and vegetation vary considerably. The coastal region is a low-lying area of lagoons, sandy beaches and mangrove swamps, which merges into an area of rainforest where palm trees grow to over 30m (100ft). From here the landscape changes to savannah and open woodland, rising to the Central Jos Plateau at 1800m (6000ft). The northern part of the country is desert and semi-desert, marking the southern extent of the Sahara.

Republic since 1979. Independence (from the UK) in 1960. Military regime from 1983-1999. Head of State and Government: President Olusegun Obasanjo (People's Democratic Party) since 1999.

The official language is English. A variation of English (Pidgin or Broken English) is also spoken. There are three main Nigerian languages: Yoruba, Ibo (also spelled Igbo) and Hausa. Over 300 dialects exist within and across the three main languages.

50% Muslim, 40% Christian and 10% traditional beliefs. Muslims are in the majority in the north and west of the country, while in the south, Christians form the majority of the population.

GMT + 1.

220/250 volts AC, 50Hz. Single phase.