Plateau State

Plateau State is in Nigeria.

It has many hills and big rocks. The land is high up. This makes the air feel cool.

Many people live in this land. They live in a city called Jos. You can see many animals at the park. Some people visit to see the rocks and birds. It is a place of peace and beauty.

Plateau State is in Nigeria.

It sits in the North Central part of the country. The capital city is Jos. The state is known as the "Home of Peace and Tourism." About 4.7 million people live here.

The land is very special. It has many hills and big rocks. These rocks were made by old volcanic activity. You can see hills that look like mushrooms.

The high land makes the air feel cool. The temperature stays between 13 and 22 degrees Celsius. This cool air helps keep some diseases away. Many rivers start in this area.

There are many things to see. You can visit the Jos Zoo to see animals. You can also see the Assop Falls. Wase Rock is a very tall rock. It is a safe place for white pelican birds. People also visit the National Museum in Jos. It has many old pottery pieces on display.

Plateau State is a special part of Nigeria.

It sits in the North Central zone of the country. The capital city is called Jos. People often call this place the "Home of Peace and Tourism." About 4.7 million people live in the state.

The land is filled with hills and many rock formations. These rocks are part of the Jos Plateau. You can see bare rocks scattered across green grasslands. The high ground makes the area feel different from other places nearby.

The weather here is quite interesting because of the high altitude. Even though it is in a tropical zone, the air stays cool. The average temperature is between 13 and 22 degrees Celsius.

Between December and February, the Harmattan winds bring the coldest weather. The warmest months are usually March and April during the dry season. In July and August, the state sees its highest rainfall. This cooler climate even helps to reduce some tropical diseases like malaria.

Long ago, the earth changed this landscape in big ways. About 160 million years ago, younger granite rocks moved through older granite.

This created hills that look like mushrooms with huge boulders. Then, about 50 million years ago, volcanic activity happened. This made many volcanoes and flat areas made of lava. It also created deep valleys and smooth surfaces from erosion. These old changes made the scenery look very unusual today.

There are many amazing things to see in Plateau State.

You can visit the Jos Zoo to see birds and reptiles. The National Museum in Jos has very old pottery called Nok terracotta.

Some of these items are from 500 BC. You can also see Wase Rock, which is 450 meters high. This rock is a safe place for white pelicans to breed.

Other people enjoy walking in the Shere Hills near Jos.

Many different groups of people call this state home. There are over forty different language groups living here. Most of these people are farmers. Many people have moved here from other parts of Nigeria. They speak many different languages, but English is the official language. People also use Hausa to talk and do business. The state is divided into 17 local government areas to help manage the land.

Plateau State is a significant administrative region in Nigeria. It is located within the North Central geopolitical zone. The capital city of the state is Jos. The region is officially nicknamed the "Home of Peace and Tourism." It is home to a population of approximately 4.7 million people.

The geography is defined by the Jos Plateau. This area features a range of hills and unique rock formations. Bare rocks are often scattered across wide grasslands.

The physical landscape was shaped by complex geological processes. About 160 million years ago, younger granite intruded through older granite rock. This process created the unusual scenery seen today. Many hillocks have gentle slopes that emerge from the ground like mushrooms. These hills are often covered with huge boulders. Later, volcanic activity occurred approximately 50 million years ago. This activity created volcanoes and vast basaltic plateaus from lava flows. It also formed deep valleys and pediments. Pediments are surfaces made smooth by the process of erosion.

The altitude of the state plays a major role in its climate. Although it sits in a tropical zone, the high elevation provides a near-temperate climate. The average temperature stays between 13 and 22 degrees Celsius.

Between December and February, the Harmattan winds bring the coldest weather. The warmest temperatures usually occur during the dry months of March and April. Rainfall is highest during the wet season in July and August. This cooler climate has a biological effect on the region. It leads to a reduced incidence of some tropical diseases, such as malaria.

Plateau State is a vital source of water for northern Nigeria. The Jos Plateau feeds many important rivers. These include the Kaduna, Gongola, Hadeja, and Damaturu rivers. The state also possesses many valuable natural resources. These minerals include tin, columbite, and various types of granite. Other resources include bauxite, coal, emeralds, iron ore, and marble.

Years of tin and columbite mining have even changed the landscape. These activities have left the state with deep gorges and lakes.

Tourism is a major part of the state's identity, though it faces challenges. The state has many natural attractions that draw visitors from within Nigeria. The Jos Zoo was established in 1957 and houses many animals, birds, and reptiles.

The National Museum in Jos was founded in 1952. It holds famous Nok terracotta heads and artifacts dating from 500 BC to 200 AD.

Other notable sites include Assop Falls and the Kurra Falls. Wase Rock is a massive dome-shaped inselberg that rises 450 meters high. It serves as a protected bird sanctuary for the white pelican.

The Kerang highlands are also known for natural mountain springs used for bottled water.

The history of Plateau State involves many changes to its borders. In the early 20th century, the British exerted colonial control. Much of the area was originally part of Bauchi Province. In 1926, Plateau Province was created from Jos and Pankshin Divisions. Later, in 1967, the Benue-Plateau State was formed. In 1976, under General Yakubu Gowon, Plateau State was officially created. Finally, in 1996, Nasarawa State was carved out of the western half of the region.

Today, the state is home to over forty ethno-linguistic groups. Many of these indigenous groups are primarily farmers. People from other parts of Nigeria, such as the Igbo and Yoruba, have also settled here. While many languages are spoken, English is the official language. Hausa is also commonly used for commerce. The state is managed through 17 local government areas. These areas are led by elected chairmen and councils to serve the diverse populations.