Geographically, Nigeria lies in the tropics, approximately between latitudes 4º and 14º north, and longitudes 3º and 14º east. It covers an area of 913,000 square kilometers (356,699 square miles). To the West, it is bounded by the Republic of Benin, by Niger to the North, Cameroun to the East and the Atlantic Ocean to the South.

The country is consists of 4 major natural zones. From South to North:

- The coastal area, approximately 60 kilometres wide, frequently indented by lagoons and by the immense Niger River delta, which alone covers an area of 25,000 square kilometres (9,600 square miles).

- The Jos Plateau in the centre, at an altitude of over 1,200 metres (4,000 feet), and culminating a Shore Hill, 1,780 metres (5,800 feet); the Highlands along the eastern border, which rise to 2,040 metres (6,693 feet) at Vogel Peak, south of the Benue River.

- The land drops steadily away from the plateau northwards to the plain of Sokoto and the Lake Chad Basin, which forms part of the Sahel region, parts of which are semi-desert.

ABUJA the political capital of Nigeria, was built in the center of the country with a view to balancing the North-South opposition. An East-West line separates the country, dividing those that adopt Sharia legal system in the North and those in the South who do not. This only worsens the already strong opposition existing between the North and South.

LAGOS is undeniably the country’s economic capital, located in the Southwest. This African megacity habours the country’s most active port.

PORT-HARCOURT is regarded as third among the cities of the country. Located in the oil-bearing area of the Delta (in the South) it profits from the establishment of all the companies in the oil and oil-related sectors. The poor distribution of the wealth coming this area often engenders an atmosphere of violence and insecurity.

KANO is in the North, close to the border with Niger. This city has always enjoyed a vibrant economic activity, due to the cross border movements. Except for the textile industry, which is still quite active, Kano has become hard hit by the departure of companies due to the introduction of the Sharia.