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Nigeria

Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west. Its southern coast lies on the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean. Nigeria is a federal republic comprising 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, where the capital, Abuja, is located. Lagos, the former capital, retains its status as the country's largest city and commercial center. Nigeria is often referred to as the "Giant of Africa," owing to its large population and economy. It is the most populous country in Africa and the seventh most populous country in the world. Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups, with varying languages and customs, creating a rich diversity. The largest groups are the Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, and Fulani, among others. Historically, the region now known as Nigeria has been home to several ancient and indigenous kingdoms and states over the millennia. The modern state originated from British colonial rule starting in the 19th century and the merging of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate and Northern Nigeria Protectorate in 1914. Nigeria became a formally independent federation in 1960 and a republic in 1963. It experienced a civil war from 1967 to 1970 and has since alternated between democratically-elected civilian governments and military dictatorships. Nigeria's economy is one of the largest in Africa, with sectors such as oil, telecommunications, and services contributing significantly to its GDP. Despite its vast oil wealth, Nigeria faces numerous challenges, including political corruption, poverty, and inadequate public health and education systems. The country is known for its film industry, Nollywood, which is one of the largest film producers in the world, and its music, which has a significant influence across Africa. Culturally, Nigeria is known for its rich heritage in arts, literature, music, and cuisine. Nigerian music, including Afrobeat, Fuji, and Highlife, has a significant influence on the world music scene. Nigerian literature has produced notable authors, including Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and Chinua Achebe. Geographically, Nigeria features diverse landscapes ranging from the coastal swamps in the south to the Sahel in the north. The country's climate varies from the arid climate in the north to the tropical climate in the south. Nigeria faces several challenges, including internal conflicts, terrorism (notably by Boko Haram in the northeast), and issues of ethnic and religious unity. Despite these challenges, Nigeria plays a crucial role in regional and African affairs, with a strong influence in economic, political, and cultural spheres. Population of Nigeria from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 195.9 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 200.9 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 206.1 million inhabitants. Capital (Abuja): Population in 2020: About 3.6 million inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate) Lagos: ~14.0 million Kano: ~3.6 million Ibadan: ~3.5 million Abuja: ~3.6 million Port Harcourt: ~1.9 million Kaduna: ~1.6 million Benin City: ~1.5 million Maiduguri: ~1.2 million Zaria: ~1.1 million Aba: ~1.0 million Nigeria is divided into 36 states and one federal capital territory. Some states include: Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Abuja. GDP in millions of dollars from 2018 to 2020: 2018: About $397.2 billion. 2019: About $448.1 billion. 2020: About $432.3 billion. Public deficit in millions of dollars from 2018 to 2020: 2018-2020: Not available. % GDP/government debt ratio from 2018 to 2020: 2018-2020: Not available. Unemployment rate % from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 23.1%. 2019: Approximately 27.1%. 2020: Approximately 33.3%. Inflation Rate from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Around 12.1%. 2019: Approximately 11.4%. 2020: Around 13.2%.