Nigeria

=Nigeria = //Peace and Unity, Strength and Progress//

Welcome to our fantastic and incredible page about Nigeria( you probably figured that out by reading the tittle)^^. At our page we hope that you will find some intresting facts and that you might learn somthing new.

we will begin with somthing easy ;) (This is the Nigerian flag. It was designed in 1959 and offcialy hoisted in 1960 when Nigeria was declared independent from the UK(will come back to tha later).T he green stipes represents the forrest and the natural wealth of Nigeria while the white stripe is a sign of peace). 

Facts:

· Official name: Federal Republic of Nigeria

· Capital : Abuja

· Largest city: Lagos

· Their official languages: English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba

· Motto: Unity and faith, Peace and progress

· They have 36 states and one territory

· National holiday: 1 october

· Population: ca. 142 million

__History__

The first Europeans to begin trade in Nigeria were the Portuguese explores, they called the port Lagos, after the Portuguese town of Lagos in Algarve. Following the Napoleonic Wars the British expanded trade with the Nigerian interior. In 1900 the company's territory came under the control of the British government, which moved to consolidate its hold over the area of modern Nigeria. In 1914 the area was formally united as the colony and protectorate of Nigeria. Then Nigeria got divided into the northern and southern provinces and Lagos colony. The education and the development proceeded more rapidly in the south than in the north. Following World War 2,( in response to the growth of Nigerian nationalism and demands for independence,) successive constitutions legislated by the British Government moved Nigeria toward self-government (on a representative and increasingly federal basis.) By the middle of the 20th century, it was a great wave for independence was sweeping across Africa

__Goverment__  Nigeria is a Federal Republic and the current vice president is Goodluck Jonathan. Umaru Musa YAR'ADUA  is the current president and he is the leader of the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party), he has been the head of the country since the election in 2007. So that will meen that he is the chief of state and the head of the goverment. The president is elected just like the norwegian prime minister is eleected here in Norway. Every 4 years (the next one to be in 2011) there is a new party elected, The PDA got 70 % of the votes last time. Nigeria have had their problems with politician in their history, but now it seems like Umaru will change things.

__**Economy**__

The main ressource in Nigeria is Oil, and there is alot of it. if it wassnt for that Nigeria was hobbled by political instability, inadequate infrastructure and corruptions this country could have been very very rich. Instead they are one of the poorest. they have a lot of depths to pay but now they have formed an agreement with the Paris Club where they got discounted for 18 billion dollars if they paid 12. so now they only need to pay 7 more to finish the loan. Nigeria is also currently working on developing stronger public-praivate partnerships for electricity and roads.


 * __Religion__**

In Nigeria there is several different religions which dominates every single corner of the country. Islam is the biggest religion with over 50% of the Nigerian population and Christianity comes in second place with 40%. And while the 10% followers that are left belongs to maaaaaaany religions, like ex. Chrislam and Judism.

The country’s social conditions are quite bad… wouldn’t recommend a vacation over there at first. But if you absolutely want to go there then there are a few thing you should look out for and I will tell you about some of the things. First you should take a malaria shot, so that you are protected from that hideous mosquito! Then a rule number 1. Always buy your water. Never and I mean never! Drink it from a sink and etc. or you could get diarrhea for weeks or at worst end up with hepatitis A and E... I don’t know how sexual involved all of you are but if you want a night stand in Nigeria then you are asking for Hiv/Aids. In Nigeria there is around 2.6 million persons living with Aids and that with numbers from 2007. So today the numbers could be even higher! Also there isn’t many hospitals around either… I read that a man in his forties had to paddle for two days in order to get some of the basic health care… and this in a nation full of oil!
 * __Social conditions__**