Nigeria, Federal Republic of, federal republic, western Africa, bounded on the north by Niger, on the east by Chad and Cameroon, on the south by the Gulf of Guinea, and on the west by Benin. The most populous nation in Africa, Nigeria has an area of 923,773 sq km (356,669 sq mi). Its name is derived from that of its major river, the Niger. Abuja is the capital and Lagos is the largest city.

Population
	103,912,000
	(1996 estimate)
Population Density
	113 people/sq km
	(292 people/sq mi)
	(1996 estimate)
Urban/Rural Breakdown
	40%Urban
	60%Rural
Largest Cities
	Lagos1,347,000
	Ibadan1,295,000
	Kano699,900
	(1995 estimate)
Ethnic Groups
	21%Hausa
	21%Yoruba
	18%Ibo
	11%Fulani
	29%Other
	including Ibibio, Kanuri, Edo, Tiv, Ijaw, Bura, and Nupe
Languages
Official Language
	English
Other Languages
	Hausa, Yoruba, Ibo, Kanuri, Tiv
Religions
	50%	Islam
	22%	Protestantism
	18%	orthodox animist beliefs
	10%	Roman Catholicism