GENERAL Nigeria has a presidential system. It has a three-tiered structure: federal, state and local. There are six geopolitical zones: north-central, northeast, northwest, southeast, south-south and southwest. There are 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory Government (FCT) of Abuja. There are 774 local government areas and six area councils within the FCT. There are 109 senatorial districts, 360 federal constituencies and 990 state constituencies. The total government budget (2006) was US$14 billion. Defence comprises 4.5 per cent of the budget. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was Elections established in August 1998. There are 50 registered political parties. Elections were held in 1999, 2003 and 2007. Currency Major indigenous languages Official language Main religions The currency is naira and kobo (N1.00 = 100 kobo). The major indigenous languages are Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulfulde, Kanuri and Ibibio. The official language is English. The major religions are Christianity, Islam and traditional. ECONOMY Its mineral resources are hydrocarbons (petroleum and gas), coal, Mineral resources tin, columbite, limestone, gold, quartz sand, dolomite, iron ore, aluminium, nickel and granite. The main commercial or industrial cities are Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, Main commercial/ Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Jos, Onitsha, Maiduguri, Aba, Enugu, Benin industrial cities City, Ilorin, Gusau, Bauchi, Oshogbo, Nnewi, Calabar, Katsina, Sango Otta and Owerri. Iron and steel Iron and steel are manufactured in Ajaokuta, Aladja (Warri), Oshogbo, Jos and Katsina. Refineries and Refineries and petrochemical industries are located in Port petrochemicals Harcourt, Elesa-Eleme, Warri and Kaduna. Liquefied natural gas Liquefied natural gas is found in Bonny. XI