Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Now consider this question: Why is Abuja the capital city of Nigeria? That's right, “Why?”
This question is classic “new geography” because it involves analysis, explanation, and signi-
ficance. The capital of Nigeria could be any number of cities. Indeed, until 1991, the capital
was Lagos. A country doesn't just decide to move its capital every day. So why did the Nigeri-
ans move theirs? Here are three reasons:
A pleasant setting for expansion:
Lagos occupies a low-lying peninsula. It has little room
for expansion, and the climate is hot and muggy. Abuja has plenty of room for expansion and,
being located in the Central Highlands, has a climate that is much more pleasant.
In the middle of it all:
Lagosisonthefringeofthecountry.Abujaisinthemiddle.Having
the capital in the center of the country is important because Nigeria is a developing country
with a commensurate transportation system. That's a polite way to say travel can be tedious
and difficult. Thus, a central location maximizes access to the seat of power and has important
symbolic value, too.
Peace and harmony:
Nigerians are divided into some 200 ethnic groups. Some are large
and have a history of mutual animosity, which, exacerbated by religious differences, some-
times manifests itself in riots and killings. Ethnically and culturally, therefore, Nigeria is
something of a powder keg. So government planners sought to locate the capital in an area that
is not dominated by any of the big ethnic groups nor by a single religion. Abuja fit the bill.
To sum up, I asked two questions: “What is the capital of Nigeria?” and “Why is Abuja the
capital of Nigeria?” Nothing is wrong with either question. But I trust you agree that the
second is the more profound of the two. It calls for a deeper, more analytical brand of think-
ing. As “new geography,” it leaves you with a more penetrating perspective on the geography
of Nigeria and the significance of a number of factors. Chapter 2 expands on how to “think”
geographically.
Getting to the Essentials
In addition to focusing on the “new geography,” this volume makes use of unifying concepts that will
help you to understand the breadth and structure of geography. But what are these unifying concepts?
Yogi Berra once supposedly ordered a pizza pie and was asked if he wanted it cut into four slices or
eight. He opted for four and explained, “I don't think I can eat eight.” Whether or not the story is true,
a pizza pie is a pizza pie, no matter how you slice it up. The same is true of geography. In a manner
of speaking, it's a very big pizza pie. Over the years, geographers have devised different ways to cut
it up in order to help people like you grasp its breadth and content.
