Nigeria - one of the largest and one of the most interesting countries on the African continent.The indigenous population of Nigeria - about 250 nationalities!It is this diversity and attracts to the country the bulk of tourists.What is the density and population of Nigeria?This you will learn from this article.
Nigeria - Africa's largest country
Nigeria is a federal republic located in the equatorial belt of the continent.The climate of the country is characterized by high humidity and average annual temperature characteristics.The state has direct access to the Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea to it).
is the most populous country in Africa.And the population of Nigeria is increasing rapidly.Nigeria - multinational and polylingual country.Even in neighboring villages here can speak different local languages.Nigeria is also characteristic of religious diversity.For about 40% of the population consider themselves Muslims, 40% - Christians, and 20% are adherents of various local beliefs.
Nigeria: population (basic statistics)
demographic situation of the country is characterized by high mortality rates.But at the same time for Nigeria's characteristic and very high fertility.As a result - the positive dynamics of the number of inhabitants.
Every year the population of Nigeria is increasing by an average of one million people.Every day in the country about 9,000 babies born.
demographic situation in Nigeria is complicated by a number of acute and urgent problems.So, for the country typical high rates of child and maternal mortality.According to statistics, about 5-6 per cent of Nigeria's population is infected with the HIV virus.The average life expectancy in the country is low and amounts to 47 years.
One of the indicators that determine the economic well-being of the country, is the size of the gross domestic product (GDP per capita).Nigeria in the ranking of countries according to this indicator takes the worst position.Thus, as of 2015, GDP per capita is approximately $ 900.For Africa it is quite high.It is worth recalling that the state's economy is based on oil industry (Nigeria - one of the leading oil producer in Africa).
Population Dynamics in Nigeria for years
Nigerian population is increasing rapidly every year.Information about how it has changed over the past 50 years are shown in the table below.
| Year | number of inhabitants of the country, millions. People |
| 1965 | 50,2 |
| 1970 | 56,1 |
| 1975 | 63,6 |
| 1980 | 73,7 |
| 1985 | 83,9 |
| 1990 | 95,6 |
| 1995 | 108,4 |
| 2000 | 122,8 |
| 2005 | 139,6 |
| 2010 | 159,7 |
| 2015 | 170,1 |
As the table shows, the mostactive population growth in Nigeria began around the end of the last millennium.As of April 2015, Nigeria's population count stood at around 174.5 million.This figure, according to demographic projections, will continue to increase rapidly in the coming years.
Population density Nigeria
The average density of the population of Nigeria is 188 people / km2.This is a fairly high rate, not only for Africa but for the whole world.
Population density Nigeria is very different regions of the country.For maximum performance it typical for the so-called coastal states, which have access to the ocean.For comparison: in the state of Taraba, which is located in the heart of the country, the population density is 40 people / km2, but in the state of Lagos on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, the figure exceeds 2,000 people / km2.
In general, the whole southeast Nigeria is characterized by high-density.In the southwestern part of the country, it is somewhat lower.But the northern and central states are extremely low population.The only exception in the north can be considered the state of Kano, where the density of population in some areas up to 600 people / km2.
band weakest populations of the lands in Nigeria starts from Kwara State, runs along the Niger River valley and ends in the state of Borno.
level of urbanization and the largest city in Nigeria
population of Nigeria (mostly) live in settlements of rural type.Citizens make up about 40 percent.Leaders in the level of urbanization are the states in the south-western part of Nigeria.The main and largest city of the state are Abuja, Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Zaria, Ivo, Cano and others.
Abuja - a city in the center of the country, is its modern capital (since 1991).The capital was moved to this small town by the decision of a special commission in the implementation of regional policy in the country.Abuja long been preparing for his new role.About 15 years (1976 to 1991) continued the reconstruction of the city.
Today it is home to more than 1 million people.The area around Abuja different ethnic and religious neutrality.This moment has been taken into account by the authorities of Nigeria to choosing a site for the new capital of the state.
Today, the city's infrastructure is developing rapidly.In Abuja, it has an international airport, built hotels and office buildings.With other major cities in Nigeria Abuja connects several highways.
Lagos - the former capital of Nigeria.Nevertheless, the town continues to be the largest not only in their own country, but throughout Africa.Today in the city itself is home to about 13 million people, but within the metropolitan area of Lagos - at least 20 million.
name given to the subject of Portuguese colonists."Lagos" in translation from Portuguese means "Ozerny."Prior to European colonization of the city was called Eco, which means "camp".
Lagos - a city of striking contrasts.Here you can see poor areas - slums and business districts with dozens of modern high-rise buildings.In Lagos it is concentrated about 50% of total industrial production in Nigeria.This is a major financial, scientific and cultural center of the whole of West Africa.
ethnic diversity of the country
in Nigeria there are at least 250 ethnic groups, each of which has preserved its dialect and cultural traditions.However, the most numerically are only ten of them.
In the northern states of Nigeria is a Fulani peoples, against, Hausa and Kanuri.The representatives of the people of the Hausa differ militancy, but the Fulani, on the contrary, very liberal and conservative.Almost all of the members of these ethnic groups are Muslims but against who consider themselves Christians.
In the eastern part of the country inhabited by other ethnic groups.This is mainly because, Ijaw and Efik-Ibibio.All of them live in small villages, headed by their elders.Interesting people of Nigeria, and such as Yoruba.He has managed to preserve its traditions, folk music and colorful religious ceremonies.
religious diversity of the country
addition of Christianity and Islam in Nigeria is also distributed numerous local beliefs and religion.Among them - fetishism, animalism and ancestor worship.The most interesting and original religious belief system in Nigeria is Yoruba cults.
Adherents of Islam are concentrated, as a rule, in the northern regions of the country, and Christians - in the southern and eastern.Modern religious picture of the country is characterized by a rather fierce competition between the two faiths.
Conclusion
Nigeria is among the most densely populated countries on the planet.On the African continent this country - the absolute leader in the number of inhabitants.Nigeria's population currently stands at over 170 million people and continues to grow.
Nigeria - a country which is characterized by a significant linguistic, ethnic and religious diversity.Apparently, this is what attracts tourists to the country, hungry for exotic and adventurous.
