| NIGERIA |
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 Location: Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Benin and Cameroon Area Comparative: Slightly more than twice the size of California Climate: Equatorial in south, tropical in center, arid in north |
 Terrain: Southern lowlands merge into central hills and plateaus; mountains in southeast, plains in north Natural Hazards: Periodic droughts; flooding Environmental Issues: Soil degradation; rapid deforestation; urban air and water pollution; desertification; oil pollution - water, air and soil; has suffered serious damage from oil spills; loss of arable land; rapid urbanization |
 Population: Nigeria is Africa's most populous country - Estimates for this country take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population People Living with HIV/AIDS: 3.6 million (2003 est.) Economy: The new civilian administration is undertaking reforms by diversifying the economy away from the oil sector. The largely subsistence agriculture sector has failed to keep up with rapid population growth and the country, once a large exporter of food, now must import food |
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