Nigeria has two major rivers, the Niger, after which the country is named, and the Benue. They meet at the Lokoja confluence and enter the Gulf of Guinea through a network of creeks and distributaries which form the Niger Delta.
Which river is the bigest in Nigeria?
The Niger River is the longest river in Nigeria, and is shared together with such other countries as Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Benin.
Why is it called the Niger River?
The name may come from Berber phrase ger-n-ger meaning “river of rivers”. … The modern nations of Nigeria and Niger take their names from the river, marking contesting national claims by colonial powers of the “Upper”, “Lower” and “Middle” Niger river basin during the Scramble for Africa at the end of the 19th century.
Why is the Niger river dangerous?
The health hazards become most serious during the rains, which bring flooding and a sharp rise in water-born diseases. Cholera outbreaks are common. Every year hundreds of people die from this severe diarrhoeal disease which is spread through contaminated water.
What bodies of water does Nigeria have?
2.2. WATER RESOURCES
| Types of water bodies | Approximate surface area (ha) |
|---|---|
| iv) Imo River | 910,000 |
| v) Kwa Iboe River | 500,200 |
| vi) Niger River (less Kainji and Jebba lakes) | 169,800 |
| vii) Ogun River | 2,237,000 |
Which is the deepest river in Nigeria?
Of Nigeria’s rivers, River Ethiope stands out. It is believed to be the deepest inland waterway in Africa.
How many rivers are they in Nigeria?
In Nigeria there are eight main river basins, i.e. the Benue, Delta and Cross Rivers, the Imo-Anambra, Hadejia-Chad, Sokoto-Rima, Niger, Owena and Ogun, and Osun Basins.
Which is the longest river in this world?
WORLD
- Nile: 4,132 miles.
- Amazon: 4,000 miles.
- Yangtze: 3,915 miles.
What animals live in the Niger River?
Many varieties of fish are found in the Niger and its tributaries; the chief food species are catfish, carp, and Nile perch. Other Niger fauna include hippopotamuses, at least three different types of crocodiles (including the much-feared Nile crocodile), and a variety of lizards. There is a rich collection of birds.
Who named River Niger?
The Niger is believed to have been named by the Greeks. Along its course it is known by several names. These include the Joliba (Malinke: “great river”) in its upper course; the Mayo Balleo and the Isa Eghirren in its central reach; and the Kwarra, Kworra, or Quorra in its lower stretch.
Why is Niger so poor?
Causes of poverty in Niger include limited arable land, widespread illiteracy and agricultural vulnerability to climate shock. An integral part of Niger’s culture is the hereditary system of distributing land. This system is not sustainable because the land becomes further divided with each generation.
Are there lions in Niger?
The species does well in the eastern extents of the Niger, although it faces extinction elsewhere. African lions, Panthera leo, survive well in the Niger River delta, despite being pressured across much of their original central and southern African range.
Why is the Niger River important?
There are far reaching benefits to this. The Niger River and its Inner Delta are vital for agriculture, livestock, fisheries, transport, energy, tourism, and water filtration, as well as as a habitat for a range of fish and other aquatic animals, including a variety of protected species.
Which country has the longest distance from Nigeria?
Furthest Cities (Population 1,000,000+)
| City | Distance, km |
|---|---|
| Auckland, New Zealand | 16,525 |
| Brisbane, Australia | 16,058 |
| Sydney, Australia | 15,523 |
| Melbourne, Australia | 14,811 |
Which ocean is closest to Nigeria?
NIGERIA, THE MOST populous nation in Africa, is bordered to the south by the Gulf of Guinea in the ATLANTIC OCEAN, and to the west and east by the Republic of BENIN and CAMEROON, respectively.
Is Nigeria in the Sahara Desert?
The Sahara desert is closer
While there are no actual desert areas in Nigeria, the northern part of Nigeria borders with a region known as the Sahel. … In the past, Sahara desert used to be the place with wide variety of plant and animal life.