Description of River State

State of Rivers, or just Rivers, is located in southern Nigeria's Niger Delta (Old Eastern Region), State of Rivers was established in 1967 after the Eastern Region was divided, and it is bordered by the states of Imo to the north, Abia and Akwa Ibom to the east, and Bayelsa and Delta to the west. Port Harcourt, the state capital, is a major city and the economic hub of Nigeria's oil sector. According to the 2006 census, the population of Rivers State was 5,198,716. This makes it the sixth most populated state in Nigeria. Igbo or Igboid, Ogoni, and Ijaw are only a few of the various indigenous peoples who make up Rivers State. Igbo speakers, along with speakers of the Ogoni and Ijaw languages, are just a few of the dozens of indigenous tongues that are reported to be spoken in Rivers State. Rivers, particularly the Bonny River, play a major role in the landscape of Rivers State, which ranks 26th in terms of total area. 

The petroleum sector in Rivers State is the mainstay of the state's economy. The state government has benefited financially from the growth of the oil industry, but poor administration and widespread corruption have slowed development and done nothing to alleviate poverty. Since the turn of the century, cult-related murders in Rivers State have increased. Since 90% of the population is Christian and 10% is orthodox, with a small number of foreigners practicing Islam in an unorthodox fashion, Rivers State is declared a Christian state in 2019.

Geography

Rivers State, in southeastern Nigeria, lies on the oceanward extension of the Benue Trough and is characterized by low elevation and frequent flooding due to its pluvial nature.

Most of the state's interior is covered in tropical rainforest, while the coastal regions are characterized by mangrove swamps and other typical features of the Niger Delta. At 11,077 square kilometers (4,277 square miles), Rivers State ranks as Nigeria's 26th largest state by land area. Bayelsa and Delta to the west, and Akwa Ibom and Imo to the east. At the southern end, it is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean. The land is mostly flat, with a network of rivers and smaller streams.

Seasonal, highly varied, and heaviest precipitation occurs from March through October to November. With its height in July, the wet season lasts for more than 290 days. Only between January and February will you see any minimal to nonexistent precipitation.

The average annual rainfall drops from from 4,700 millimeters (185 inches) along the coast to roughly 1,700 millimeters (67 inches) in the far north. Bonny, located along the coast, has 4,698 mm (185 in) while Degema, located inland, has 1,862 mm (73 in) of rainfall. Temperatures in Port Harcourt don't fluctuate too much from season to season. Temperatures normally hover around a mean of 25 °C (77 °F). Even during the dry season, some regions of the state can get up to 150 millimeters of rainfall (6 inches). Humidity is often between 90% and 100% and rarely drops below 60%.

Economy

Since ancient times, Rivers State has been an essential part of the nation's economy. In 2007, the state ranked 2nd nationwide with a gross domestic product (GDP) of $21.07 billion and a per capita income of $3,965

The state is notable for its large quantities of crude oil and natural gas. Because It Was the Heart of the British Empire in Africa because It Was the British Empire's wealthiest and most strategic province in Africa. Two major oil refineries, two major seaports, airports, and other industrial estates can be found across the state of Rivers. The state accounts for about 60% of the nation's crude oil production. Silica sand, glass sand, and clay are also located inside its borders.

The people of Rivers State relied on agriculture for their livelihood before the commercial discovery of oil in 1951. The area was known as Oil Rivers Protectorate in the 19th century, when England was at the height of the industrial revolution, because of the country's reliance on palm oil and kernel exports for cash. About 40% of rural residents were farmers in 1983, according to a survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Yam, cassava, cocoyam, maize, rice, and beans are all widely grown in Rivers State, making it one of the top agricultural producers in Nigeria. Approximately 39% (760,000 ha) of the state's total land mass is arable, especially in the highland region. Jute, raffia palm, raffia, coconut, and oil palm goods are also major exports. Vegetables, melons, pineapples, mangoes, peppers, bananas, and plantains are all farmed for human use. It's no secret that Rivers State relies heavily on its fishing industry. Fishing is not only a popular hobby, but also a lucrative one. Approximately 270 different species of fish can be found in the wild, and many artisanal fisherman work the riverbanks. Crabs, oysters, shrimp, and sea snails are just a few examples of the high-quality seafood that may be harvested in this state. Additionally, the area is home to a variety of vertebrates.