Background+Information

Ling Zhou
=A. Maps=

1. Demographic Map
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2. Topographical Map
media type="googlemap" key="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=nigeria&aq=&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.839416,56.162109&g=nigeria&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Nigeria&ll=9.081999,8.675277&spn=9.903327,14.040527&t=p&z=6&output=embed" width="425" height="350" align="center"

3. Political Map
"Nigeria: Political Map." //World Geography and Culture Online//. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 1 Feb. 2012. [].

B. Natural Resources
media type="custom" key="12392660" align="center"

=C. Country Pictures= media type="custom" key="12449502" align="center"

=D. Economy= media type="custom" key="12420604" align="center"

===Nigeria's GDP for 2011 has been estimated to be around $414.5 billion US dollars (purchasing power parity), $247.1 billion US dollars (official exchange rate), and $2,600 per capita with a real growth rate around 6.9% with an unemployment rate of 4.9% (CIA).===

=E. Population= media type="custom" key="12422814" align="center"

As of July 2011, Nigeria's population comes to a total of 155,215,573 people and rising (CIA).
=F. Religions=

=G. Cultural Information= ===Nigeria is Africa's most populous country, composed of more than 250 ethnic groups. The Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba, and the Igbo are the most populous and politically influential of all the ethnic groups. Although English is the official language, there are over 500 indigenous languages, including Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo. Indigenous religious practices remain important in all of Nigeria's ethnic groups and are often blended with Christian beliefs (Nigeriaworld). I believe these Christian beliefs must be the remains of Western missionaries' influence on religion in the region.===

===Soccer is extremely popular, both the field and professional/international kind. The national team team of Nigeria is nicknamed the Super Eagles (Nigeriaworld). Nigeria seems to take much pride in the team. So much so, that I think the team acts as a uniting force for all Nigerians.===

===Nigerian food combines traditional African carbohydrates and vegetable soups. Nigerian beans and meat are widely popular. Nigerian music includes many kinds of folk and pop music with a number of diverse instruments (Nigeriaworld).===

===Various masquerades and festivals native to Nigeria take place throughout the year. Since the 1990s, the Nigerian movie industry has become a fast growing cultural force all over Nigeria; so much so that it is sometimes called "Nollywood" (Nigeriaworld). However, it sees to be limited in expanding its popularity outside of Nigeria.===

"CIA - The World Factbook." //CIA - The World Factbook.// United States Central Intelligence Agency, n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. . Nigeriaworld -- All About Nigeria . N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. .