Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a large and diverse country located in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel region to the north and the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the south. Covering an area of approximately 923,768 km², Nigeria is home to a massive population, making it one of the most populous nations in Africa and the world's sixth-most populous country. The country is a federal republic comprising 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with Abuja serving as its capital. Its extensive borders include Niger, Chad, Cameroon, and Benin, giving it a strategic position in West Africa.