| Capital: |
Calabar |
| Area: |
23,074
sq kilometres |
| Population: |
2,259,681
(1997 FOS est.) |
| Language: |
Efik |
Location
Cross River State is located in Nigeria's Delta
region.It is bounded on the North by Benue
State, on the South by Akwa Ibom State, on the
East by Cameroun Repulic and on the West by
Anambra and Imo States.
Cross
River National Park
The
2,800 km Cross River national park in Cross
River State contains two components, the
northern Boshi-Okwang portion, north of Ikorn
and about 4 hours drive from Calabar and the
Southern Oban Hills portion, in the vicinity of
Oban and takes an hour drive north of Calabar.
The
park represents the last sizeable area of intact
rainforest in Nigeria and is internationally
recognised as one of the world's most important
sites for the conservation of biological
diversity.
Because
the forest has been undisturbed, it has an
amazing number of species. Scientists have
identified more than 1000 plants and apart from
these, the forest contains several endangered
species of wild animals, the most notable being
lowland gorilla, drill, chimpanzee, red-coleus
and forest elephant.
Several
species of birds that are threatened with
extinction are also to be found in the park
amongst which the redheaded rock-fowl is worthy
of note. The park nevertheless offers boundless
opportunities to the adventurous hiker to
explore undisturbed forest always with the
possibility of seeing a gorilla
People
Efik is very widely spoken in Cross River State
because it used to be a language of trade and
commerce in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Other languages spoken are Ekoi, Etung, Boki and
Becheve. The Becheve people have linguistic
affinity with the Tiv of Benue State. The
people's wood carving, stone sculpture, raffia
and cane works, pottery and silver works are
highly valued in and outside Nigeria.
Local
Government Areas
Abi, Akampu,
Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Bekwara, Biase, Boki, Calabar-Municipal,
Calabar South, Etung, Ikom, Obanliku, Obubra,
Obudu, Odukpani, Ogoja, Yakurr, Yala
Contact
State
Liason Office:
Plot 1229, Ahmadu Bello Way,
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Tel: 01-2610005.
