Abuja is the capital of which country. Nigeria (capital - Abuja)
Currency: Naira
Official language: English
Abuja became the capital of Nigeria on December 12, 1991. Prior to that, the capital was the city of Lagos. The city of Abuja is divided into six districts, and the President's residence is located in the Central District.
Nigeria is a country that annually attracts tourists from different parts of the world. Everyone should find time to visit Abuja and see the sights of the capital. In reality, and not in the photo, Abuja looks even better! That is why the capital of Nigeria has been attracting tourists for many years.
Sights of Abuja
- Abuja National Mosque was built in 1984. The square structure is framed on four sides by magnificent high-rise columns with spiers, and the main gilded dome crowns the mosque. The premises of the mosque include: the main prayer hall, a library, a conference room and a religious school.
Built for followers of a new religious direction in 2004. After the construction was completed, the church became a landmark of Nigeria for its interesting architectural design.
central bank Federal Republic of Nigeria. Until 1959, Nigeria was part of the zone of activity of the British West Africa Monetary Authority, established in London in 1913, which issued the common currency of the British colonies in West Africa - the West African pound. The Central Bank of Nigeria was established in March 1958 and began operations on July 1, 1959.
Having acquired this status in 1991, after he resigned these powers at the behest of the government. The city is located in a picturesque valley in the center of the country, surrounded by virgin African savannas, which attract safari lovers here. Previously, this region was considered underdeveloped, but after the start of grandiose construction, the situation changed markedly.
Peculiarities
Now Abuja is being actively built up. Comfortable hotels, shopping malls, entertainment venues and administrative buildings appear. We are constantly working on improving the infrastructure. An important difference from other cities in Nigeria, here is a fairly even ethnic composition, without the obvious dominance of any nationalities, although representatives of such minorities as the Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo prevail here. Islam and Christianity are considered the main religions, but at the same time, a significant part of the population adheres to indigenous pagan beliefs, whose traditions go far into the past. There are few interesting sights in the city, so few tourists in these places are attracted exclusively by the wildlife in the vicinity of Abuja. There is a lot of greenery on the city streets, but the roads are not of the best quality, which is quite typical for West Africa. The main spoken language here is English, but local African dialects are also in use.
general information
The territory of Abuja is not very significant, with a population of about 800 thousand people. Time zone UTC+1. Local time is 2 hours behind Moscow time. Telephone code (+234) 9. Official website www.fct.gov.ng.
A brief excursion into history
Abuja was founded in 1828 as a fortified camp, which over time turned into a city named after Abu Jah, the successor of the ruler of Zaria. The modern stage of the life of the city began after the Japanese architect Kenzo Tange designed the architectural plan of the new capital in the early 80s of the last century. Several stages were calculated for the transformation of the city, despite the fact that the Nigerian authorities spent almost $ 5 billion on the first 3 alone. Now the newly-made capital continues to develop and equip itself.
Climate
The equatorial monsoon climate prevails in this area. The air temperature in Abuja rarely drops below +15 degrees. The hottest period lasts from January to April, when the thermometer can rise to +40 degrees. The rainy season lasts from May to October. The most optimal interval for a visit here is the first half of the year.
How to get there
Having become the capital of Nigeria, Abuja has become an important transport hub with the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (IATA: ABV), which also accepts domestic flights, and a network of roads and railways. Intercity routes, although they have a certain schedule, but it often changes, periodically introducing some chaos and confusion into the existing order.
Transport
Public transport within the city limits is represented by buses and taxis.
Attractions
The city is dominated by serial buildings, among which there are many tall modern buildings. Aso rock is the main landmark. At its foot are the buildings of the Presidential Complex, the Supreme Court and the National Assembly. Of the religious buildings, the National Mosque with an abundance of colored stained-glass windows and columns deserves special attention. An important element of the monastery is a gilded dome, well visible from afar. The velodrome, the Abuja National Stadium built in 2003, the Millennium Tower, the zoo and the National Library also stand out.
Precautionary measures
Due to its status and increased attention from the authorities, Abuja is not as prone to crime as many other cities in Nigeria, but tourists should be careful here too. At night, it is not recommended to go out and walk far from the hotel, and you should not use the services of private motorists and publicly express your religious views. It is not recommended to drink tap water in hotels, but it is better to eat in a hotel or in respectable restaurants. Particular attention must be paid to hygiene.
Kitchen
In the culinary establishments of the city, visitors have the opportunity to appreciate all the advantages of African cuisine with its meat delicacies and exotic fruits.
shopping
Local shops and malls abound with goods and souvenirs for every taste, from classic masks and wooden figurines to bright jewelry, clothing and cosmetics.
Neighborhood
In the nearby areas of Abuja, wild African savannas are of great interest to connoisseurs of wildlife, where in their natural habitat you can see elephants, rhinos, giraffes and other large representatives of the animal world of the black continent. The most beautiful landscapes of these places, replete with grassy plains and hills, deserve no less attention.
Despite its purely administrative status, Abuja has a certain flavor and is very interesting from a tourist point of view. In this city, you can fully get an idea of African culture, enjoy gorgeous views of the surroundings and feel the extraordinary atmosphere that characterizes all the advantages and disadvantages of West Africa.
The city of Abuja became the capital of Nigeria relatively recently, only in 1991, before this role was performed by the city of Lagos. Today, approximately 1,400,000 people live in Abuja. Abuja is eight hundred kilometers away from Lagos. Therefore, this young capital of Nigeria, as the capital, began its activities after several years of reconstruction and planning. Abuja is located in a picturesque valley in the heart of Nigeria. The choice fell on Abuja precisely because no religious, social and ethnic group dominates here.
Today Abuja is a region with its own highway network, its own airport and many administrative buildings. Every year the city continues to be actively built up, today this is a real construction site. Which .
Sights of Abuja
The special attractions of Abuja include Aso Rock, which is located near the city itself. Let's say more - he is his guide. Aso's name translates as "victory", and famous buildings such as the Presidential Complex, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court were built next to it. Interestingly, the locals call it Asokoro, which translates as "victorious people".
The indigenous people are proud of the cultural, natural and historical sights of Abuja. They are of interest not only to ecologists, archaeologists, historians and architects, but, of course, tourists as well. In November, the famous carnival week in Abuja takes place, where about two hundred thousand people take part.
City infrastructure
It is worth traveling around the city of Abuja by bus, this will allow you to get to the most interesting places from your place of residence. After all, the city has many old buildings that are worth seeing during a walk and excursion. In addition, be sure to check out the local shops and restaurants. To choose the right hotel, you should clarify the list of services provided in advance, because there are quite a variety of hotels here. And local restaurants serve fried bananas, beef in nut butter and excellent smoked fish.
The upscale Wonderland Amusement Park is located in the heart of Abuja. The bright ceremony of its opening took place in 2007. The territory of the park covers about 330 thousand square meters of land. It is an ideal place for a family holiday.
Wonderland offers a wide range of entertainment, including many exciting games and attractions for all ages. The huge water park "Fantasy World" includes more than 30 interesting rides and attractions. The park's dolphinarium regularly hosts shows featuring marine animals.
Wonderland has a picturesque recreation area with beautiful landscaping, represented by exotic plants, magnificent fountains and comfortable benches. The huge souvenir shops are very popular with visitors. Luxurious restaurants and cafes offer continental Mediterranean and African cuisine.
Kant Museum
The Kant Museum was founded in 1958. It is located in an old building of the XIX century, the former royal palace of Kebbi.
The unique architecture of the building has hardly been reconstructed, it has retained its historical charm of an ancient Nigerian building. On the territory of the museum there is a royal tomb, all the former emirs of Kebbi are buried here. The 11 exhibition halls of the museum present interesting displays, including traditional crafts, ethnography, as well as unique artifacts found during the archaeological excavations of Argungu. Interesting collections of ancient weapons deserve special attention, including spears, swords, stones, bows and arrows.
The extensive exhibitions of the Kant Museum are a fascinating treasure trove of the historical and cultural heritage of the ancient city of Argungu. On the territory of the museum there is a chic gift shop, very popular among tourists.
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Aminu Kano Mallam International Airport
Aminu Kano Mallam International Airport is the main airport in northern Nigeria, named after the famous politician Aminu Kano. It was founded in 1936 and serves civil and military flights.
The airport has domestic and international terminals, which are separated by two paved runways 2.5 - 3.3 kilometers long. In connection with the rapidly growing traffic in 2011, the reconstruction and modernization of the domestic terminal took place. In 2012, the airport served more than 400 thousand passengers.
Facilities in the departure lounge include a small bar, a VIP lounge for business class passengers, a gift shop and a tour desk. There is a cafe, a business center, a pharmacy and a post office in the arrivals hall. A five-minute walk from the main building is a taxi and shuttle bus stop, where you can rent a car. The cozy hotel graciously provides services to transit passengers and crew members.
Gidan Rumfa is the palace of the Emir of Kano, a majestic historical building dating back to the 15th century. The last extensive reconstruction and modernization of the building was carried out in stages and ended in 2008. Its total area is about 130 thousand square meters.
The palace is surrounded by high walls, modestly decorated with small arched grooves and clay plaster. The main gate, located on the south side of the palace, has a bronze detail. According to legend, as long as they stand, the Rumfa dynasty will be in power and prosper. The luxurious chambers of the palace are a tall structure with intersecting arches, which is a unique element of architecture. Almost the entire ceiling and walls are decorated with corrugated patterns and bold colors. Ancient statues keep all the secrets and traditions of the palace.
By order of the emir, solemn celebrations of Muslim holidays are held in Kano, accompanied by a procession of exquisitely dressed horsemen. This beautiful spectacle ends at Gidan Rumfa, where the inhabitants of the city come to show their devotion and respect to the ruler.
Ship House building
The Ship House is one of the significant sights of Abuja. Built in 1975, this white building has an impressive ship-like design. It is a complex reinforced concrete structure with numerous windows.
This building houses the Nigerian Ministry of Defense, which provides administrative and support services to the Nigerian Armed Forces. From here, the equipment and maintenance of a highly professional, universal and combat-ready army is carried out. On six floors of the building there are numerous office spaces, two conference rooms and a small cinema.
It offers visitors - food courts, located in the open air. Near the Ship House there is a beautiful park with amazing landscaping. Here you can relax while admiring the picturesque views.
Abuja Zoo
A significant attraction of Abuja is the National Zoo, established in 2001. The peculiarity of the park is that its territory is divided into two zones, including a children's and a zoo.
Modern playgrounds and more than 30 exciting attractions are at the disposal of young visitors, including a wonderful water park. Here you can play and take pictures with funny characters from fairy tales and cartoons, as well as admire and feed wonderful African animals.
The zoo has a wide range of wildlife and pets housed in spacious enclosures. Serious work is being done here to preserve and reproduce rare and endangered representatives of the fauna.
The National Children's and Zoo is an ideal place for a family holiday with a well-thought-out infrastructure. Here you can take a walk, have a picnic on the shore of the lake and enjoy the picturesque views of the park against the backdrop of the famous rock Aso.
Jos Museum
The Jos Museum was established in 1952 by British archaeologist Bernard Fegg. It is the largest center of ancient culture in Nigeria.
There are extensive collections here, including terracotta figurines and pottery representing the complex and broad culture of Nok village, made around 2,500 years ago. The museum also pays great attention to the history of architecture and tin mining. Of great interest is the exposition of wood carvings from different regions of the country, including sculptural works of the last century.
The Jos Museum is part of a complex that includes the Museum of Traditional Architecture, the Museum of Mining and the Museum of Ceramics, as well as a magnificent zoo with a wide variety of animals, reptiles and birds. Visitors can walk around the complex along the reconstruction of the old Kano city wall, see the magnificent mosques and taste traditional Nigerian food in open-air restaurants.
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Yankari National Park
Yankari National Park is one of the best parks in West Africa that has preserved remnants of wildlife. The total area of the park is 2244 square kilometers. It is open to visitors from November 1 to June 30.
For those who wish, they can organize excursions on specially adapted cars and buses, or conduct a walking tour. The reserve has a rich wildlife. Elephants, horned waterbucks, buffaloes, hippos, lions, monkeys, warthogs, crocodiles and baboons can be found in the reserve. The park has the largest elephant population in West Africa with about 550 elephants. However, it is not so easy to see the animals, as the vegetation in the reserve is quite dense. The best time to see the animals is from the end of February to the end of April.
Another attraction of Yankari Park is the Wiki Warm Springs hot spring. This is a reservoir 200 meters long and 10 meters wide, filled with crystal clear water, the temperature of which is about 31 degrees Celsius. Baboons and elephants often go down to the springs.
Near the springs there are a number of hotels where you can have a good rest.
The most popular attractions in Abuja with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit the famous places of Abuja on our website.
In the corner, located inside the African continent, there is a beautiful African state - Nigeria.
This state consists of as many as 36 states. Each state has not only its own name, but also local climatic and territorial characteristics.
The capital of Nigeria, Abuja, replaced Lagos in 1991. It was decided to move the capital from Lagos to Abuja in 1976.
Abuja is located in the very center of Nigeria in a picturesque steppe valley. The international airport is also located here, from where tourists are transported to excellent hotels that are scattered around the resort cities.
The population of the city consists of 298 thousand people, which is significantly less than the population of the country's largest metropolis - Lagos, which occupies most of the territory of the state of the same name.
In Russia, travel companies make extremely stingy reviews of African countries, and our tourists, not knowing that in these African countries, you can also see local attractions, do not seek to get there.
In principle, Lagos is a united area, crossed by modern highways.
Of all the countries in Africa, Nigeria is the most populous country. It is home to over 110 million people of various nationalities.
In terms of climate, Nigeria has two main zones.
This is a hot and humid climate along the entire coast of Nigeria and a dry climate extending inland.
Tropical forests grow in the south of Nigeria, closer to the north they turn into shrouds. In the savannas, among the dense grass cover, such famous tamarind and baobab trees grow.
The region of northern Nigeria is dominated by desert terrain.
Among the fauna of Nigeria, snakes, crocodiles, antelopes, hyenas and camels should be mentioned.
The main tourist attractions in the country can rightfully be considered its museums.
One of these museums can be called the National Museum of Nigeria, located in Lagos.
Among the countless exhibits of this museum, there is a collection that is priceless for world culture, consisting of rare art objects covering almost all periods of the development of Nigeria as a country.
In the museums of such large cities of Nigeria as Jos, Ibadan, Benin City and Ilorin, there are also museum collections that are very rich in composition.
The government of Nigeria in recent years has been fat to pursue a policy to prevent the illegal export of objects of national art from the country. Also, the country's leadership is fighting for the return to the country of already exported exhibits of interest for studying the colonial history of Nigeria.
Nigeria's main developing tourism infrastructure is located in the country's largest metropolitan area, Lagos.
And the main attraction of Lagos can rightfully be considered its countless markets.
Markets in Lagos are mostly open-air, although indoor markets can also be found.
Once in the Nigerian markets, a tourist who comes to Nigeria on a visa, as if he finds himself in some kind of fairy tale, the market structure of Nigeria is so intricately intertwined with each other.
Sellers and buyers come to the markets of Nigeria not only from all over the country, but also from countries neighboring Nigeria, as well as from Europe and America. Often, a person who can and loves to haggle can buy an expensive item in these markets at a very reasonable price.
Among the currencies in Nigeria, the national currency is the Naira. In the Nigerian market, 1 US dollar is equal to 100 naira.
The hotel chain in Nigeria is still poorly developed, but according to experts, it will soon become one of the most developed in Africa.
For example, the first African business resort was recently opened in the city of Calabar, which is located on the banks of the Calabar River. Next to this resort is a shopping area, which promises to turn the resort into Africa's largest shopping center.
In the same region, it is planned to develop autotourism.
