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Nasarawa State

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Nasarawa is a state in the North Central region of Nigeria. It sits near the country's capital, the Federal Capital Territory. To the north, it meets Kaduna State. The state has borders with Taraba and Plateau to the east. To the south, the big Benue River forms a boundary with Benue and Kogi states.

Keffi Town from the top of Maloney Hill
Keffi Town from the top of Maloney Hill

Most of the land is part of a tropical forest and savanna area. This means there are many different types of plants and trees. The state is the fifteenth largest in Nigeria by area. It is also the second least crowded state in the country.

The weather in Nasarawa follows a savanna pattern. This means it stays hot all year long. There is a wet season and a dry season. During the wet season, the sky is often cloudy and heavy. The hottest time is usually in March. The coolest months are in the winter, like December.

Sunset on Maloney Hill
Sunset on Maloney Hill

In the dry season, the air feels humid and partly cloudy. The state receives about 136.71 millimeters of rain each year. This rain falls on about 155 rainy days.

Nasarawa has a very long history. A long time ago, the land was split into many small villages. Some areas were even part of large empires. In the early 1800s, the Fulani jihad took control of the region. This placed parts of the area under the Sokoto Caliphate. Later, British groups occupied the land in the 1890s. The area became part of British Nigeria in 1914. Finally, the modern state of Nasarawa was formed on 1 October 1996. It was made from the western part of Plateau State.

Many different groups of people live in Nasarawa. There are 25 different ethnic groups in the state. Some groups include the Eggon, Gwandara, and Mada. Others include the Alago, Tiv, and Bassa. People follow many different religions, like Islam and Christianity.

Most people work in farming. They grow crops like maize, yams, and soybeans. They also raise animals like cattle, goats, and sheep. The state also has minerals in the ground, such as salt, iron, and coal.

There are many wonderful places to visit in Nasarawa. The Farin Ruwa Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Africa. You can also visit the Salt Village in Keana. This place makes natural salt from a nearby lake. People who love to hike can go to the Eggon hills.

Administrative block, FedPolyNas 2
Administrative block, FedPolyNas 2

Another great spot is Maloney Hill. People go there to see the beautiful views and sunsets. The state also has many places for higher learning, like the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa. These schools help students learn new skills for their future.

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🖼️ Images & Media (5)
File:Nasarawa 2017 Mascot.jpg
Nasarawa 2017 Mascot.jpg
File:Concrete-block factory, Nassarawa state.jpg
Concrete-block factory, Nassarawa state.jpg
File:Administrative block, FedPolyNas 2.jpg
Administrative block, FedPolyNas 2.jpg
File:Keffi Town from the top of Maloney Hill.jpg
Keffi Town from the top of Maloney Hill.jpg
File:Sunset on Maloney Hill.jpg
Sunset on Maloney Hill.jpg
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