Abuja – A modern city with a golden mosque

The Nigerian capital of Abuja is a planned city located in central Nigeria at the intersection of the Muslim section of the county to the north and the Christian section to the south. Abuja is not like other Nigerian or African cities. It is relatively clean and safe. Living space is expensive. Many foreign companies have moved into the central district. However, Abuja is not really set up for tourism yet. A few amusement parts and green spaces as well as a zoo are located in the city. And there is even a golf course. A few supermarkets even offer European items - but naturally you can get better deals at the large weekly markets.

The cityscape of Abuja does not feature any historical buildings - all of the structures were built in the 1980s and 90s. The city`s look is defined by the Nigerian National Mosque with its golden dome and four minarets. Due to its size, the residence of the Nigerian president can also be spotted from quite a distance. The Abuja Stadium, designed by a German architectural company, is the home field for the Super Eagles, the Nigerian national soccer team.

Due to safety issues in Nigeria, day trips into the surrounding savanna are only recommended for groups of several vehicles. Destinations popular with the locals include the Gurara Falls and the Usuma Dam and Reservoir. Zuma Rock, a monolith over 300 metres tall, dominates the landscape 50 kilometres northwest of Abuja. On a clear day, you can even see the capital city from there.

Abuja experiences a warm rainy season with high humidity that lasts from about April to October. Near the end of the dry period, between January and March, a wind can come out of the northeast carrying a great deal of dust from the Sahara.

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