This is a completely Subjective list, of what I think are the ten most naturally endowed (in terms of natural beauty) states in Nigeria.
Sit back and Enjoy. Don't take the rankings too seriously, folks.
10: KOGI STATE: Kogi state is located in the central region of Nigeria.
It is popularly called the Confluence State because the confluence of River Niger and River Benue is at its capital, Lokoja, which is the first administrative capital of modern-day Nigeria.
Other important towns in the state are Kabba, Okene and Idah. The state covers a total land area of 29,833 km2, and is the only state in Nigeria to border 10 other states of the country.
The state comprises of various natural features and ecological habitats such as uplands, river valleys, forests, and savannahs.
Some interesting features of the state are the Confluence of the Niger and Benue river, Agbaja plateau, Eganaja warm spring, Osome falls & Mount Patti.
9: EKITI STATE: Ekiti state is located in the South Western region of Nigeria, and was created in 1996, from the old Ondo state.
The state covers an area of 6,353 km2 (2,453 sq mi), and is mainly an Upland Zone dotted with hills, with most of the state at least 250 meters above sea level.
Ado Ekiti is the state capital and largest city, while others include Ikere Ekiti, Ikole Ekiti, Efon Alaaye, and Ijero Ekiti.
Attractions in the state are mainly its naturally lush hilly environment, The Ikogosi warm and cool water springs, Esa Cave, The beautiful Arinta waterfalls of Ipole-Iloro, Efon-Alaaye mountain ridges, Olosunta hills, Etc
8: OSUN STATE: Osun is an inland state in south-western Nigeria covering a land area of 9,251 km2. It's capital and largest city is Osogbo, while other important towns include" Ife, Ilesha, Ede, Iwo. It is bounded in the north by Kwara State, in the east partly by Ekiti State and partly by Ondo State, in the south by Ogun State and in the west by Oyo State.
The southern two thirds of the state is covered in tropical rain forests, the eastern flanks of the states are a hilly undulating terrain, while the north is primarily wooded savannah.
Important touristic sites are the Olumirin waterfalls and touristic resort in Erin-Ijesha, Ayikungba waterfalls, Osun Osogbo UNESCO world heritage site, Ibodi Forest Reserves, Esa Oke mineral spring, Okinni water dam, Shasha nature reserve among others.
7: ONDO STATE: Ondo state is situated in the south Western part of Nigeria, and covers a total land area of 15,500 km2. Akure is the state capital and largest city, while others include Ondo town, Owo, Ore, Ikare and Okitipupa.
Ondo State is richly blessed with varied and favourable ecological biomes and landscapes with vegetation ranging from mangrove swamps to the southern coastal riverine areas through the rainforest of the mid/central lands to the mountainous derived savannah in the northern part of the state.
Some major attractions include the Idanre hills, Ebomi lake, Igbokoda waterfront on the Atlantic coast, Igbo Olodumare rain forest, Etc.
6: NIGER STATE: Niger state is located in North central Nigeria. It is geographically the largest state in Nigeria, with a total land area of 76,363 km2, allowing it to offer a stunning array of landscapes and natural biodiversity.
The capital and largest city in the state is Minna, while other cities include Bida, Kotangora, and Suleja. The state is named after the Niger river, and two of the nation's largest hydro-electric power plants (Kainji and Shiroro are located in the state).
The state lies largely in the Guinea Savannah belt of Nigeria.
The famous Gurara Falls is in Niger State, and Gurara Local Government Area is named after the Gurara River, on whose course the fall is situated.
Also situated there is Kainji National Park, the largest National Park of Nigeria, which contains Kainji Lake, the Borgu Game Reserve and the Zugurma Game Reserve, Awuru rapids/falls, Shiroro lake, Zuma rock, Mayanka falls are also within the state.
5: KADUNA STATE: Kaduna state is in the geo-political North-West of Nigeria, and it covers an area of 46,053 km2. Kaduna city is the capital and largest city in the state, while Zaria is the second largest.
The state is bounded by the Jos plateau to the East, it has a wooded savannah landscape in its southern portions, and a grassy savannah landscape in the north.
Some interesting points of call include the Kamuku national park, Matsirga water falls, Bugai Mountain Pond, Kagoro hills, Kafanchan Falls among others.
4: BAUCHI STATE: Bauchi state is located in the geographical North East of Nigeria, and is nicknamed "The pearl of Tourism".
It is the 5th largest state of Nigeria, and covers an area of 49,119 km2. The state spans two distinctive vegetation zones, namely, the Sudan savannah and the Sahel savannah, the vegetation gets richer and richer towards the south, especially along water sources or rivers, but generally the vegetation is less uniform and grasses are shorter than what grows even farther south, that is, in the forest zone of the middle belt.
On the other hand, the southwestern part of the state is mountainous as a result of the continuation of the Jos Plateau. Bauchi is the capitala nd largest city, other towns are Azare and Katagum.
Some important landmarks include the Yankari game reserve, the Wikki warm spring, Marshall Caves, The Tonlong Gorge, Shadawanka rock paintings, among many others.
3: CROSS RIVER STATE: Cross River state is one of the states in the South-South Geo-Political Zone of Nigeria. It stretches from the Nigerian hinterland, where is shares a border with Benue state, to the Atlantic coast, on the Cross-River estuary (oyono), near Calabar.
It has a total area of 20,156 km2. Major towns include: Calabar, Ugep, Obubra, Ikom, Ogoja, & Obudu.
Cross River is home to the Cross River national park, Obudu mountain resort, Agbokim falls, Afi drill monkey sanctuary, Kwa Falls among other enchanting locations. Definitely a Must visit.
2: PLATEAU STATE – Plateau is a state located in the North Central region of Nigeria. As it's name implies, most of the state lies within the Jos plateau region, Which is in turn named after the capital and largest city of the state, Jos. Other towns in the state include Bukuru, Vom, Pankshin, Langtang, Riyom Etc.
The state covers a total land area of 30,913 km2 , The statae is nicknamed "Home of Tourism", and this is right, given the state's many wonderful geological and ecological attractions.
Though situated in the tropical zone, a higher altitude means that Plateau State has a near temperate climate with an average temperature of between 18 and 22°C year round.
Harmattan winds cause the coldest weather between December and February, when the temperature drops even further. The numerous attractions in the state include the Wildlife Safari park, Shere hills, Assop falls, Kurra falls, Wase rock, Kerang highlands, Kurang Volcanic mountain, Pandam game reserve, among many others.
1: TARABA STATE: Taraba state in the Middle Belt zone of Nigeria is one of the largest states geographically, and is nicknamed "Nature's gift to the Nation".
It is also one of the most sparsely populated, which makes it a wonderful choice/location for nature tourism. Jalingo is the state capital, while Wukari is another important town in the state.
The state is named after the Taraba river, which traverses the Southern portions of the state. A major feature of the state is the scenic and prominent Mambilla Plateau with an average altitude of 1,800 meters (6000 ft) above sea level has a temperate climate all year round, other locations include The Ngel Nyaki Forest reserve, the Gashaka Gumti National park (which is the largest in Nigeria), Chappal Hendu, Kashimbila, Chappal Waddi – the tallest mountain in Nigeria, Donga river basin forest,.. Etc
Taraba is Definitely the most beautiful state in all of Nigeria.
0 comments:
Post a Comment