Abuja

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Image:Locator Map Abuja-Nigeria.png Image:NigeriaCapitalTerritory.png

Abuja, estimated population 178,462 [1], is the capital city of Nigeria. When it was decided to move the national capital from Lagos in 1976, a capital territory was chosen for its location near the center of the country. The planned city is located in the center of what is now the Federal Capital Territory. Abuja officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991. The master plan for Abuja and the Federal Capital Territory was developed by IPA (International Planning Associates), a consortium made up of three American firms: PRC Corporation; Wallace, McHarg, Roberts and Todd; and, Archisystems, which was a division of the Hughes Organization. The master plan for Abuja defined the general shape and major design elements of city, however a refinement of this design was accomplished by Kenzo Tange, a renowned Japanese architect, along with his team of city planners at Kenzo Tange and Urtec company. The crescent shape of the city reflects infrastructure considerations and the topography of the site, however some feel it reflects the will of the Muslim faithful, who sanctioned this design. Abuja is located at Template:Coor dm. [2]

Most countries moved their embassies to Abuja and maintain their larger former embassies as consulates in the commercial capital, Lagos.

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History

Abuja's feature is Aso Rock, a 400-metre monolith left by water erosion. The Presidential Complex, National Assembly, Supreme Court and much of the town extend to the south of the rock. "Aso" means "victorious" in the language of the (now displaced) Asokoro ("the people of victory").

Other sights include the Nigerian National Mosque and the National Ecumenical Centre cathedral. The city is served by the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, while Zuma Rock lies nearby. Much of the city has not yet been built as planned, and many buildings have not yet been completed.

Abuja City is one of the cities bidding for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

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