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Cross river State.
Cross River State has a land mass of 23,074km2. The State is covered by a body of waters from the tributaries of the Cross River and the Atlantic Ocean. This renders the land very fertile and provides abundant aquatic resources for exploitation. Two-thirds of Cross River State is covered by tropical rain forests, making it one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. The state is also blessed with mineral resources like: oil and gas; clay; salt; lime stone; kaolin, barite, and quartzite.
The capital of Cross River State is Calabar and the State has 18 local government areas namely; Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Bekwara, Biase, Boki, Calabar Municipal, Calabar South, Etung, Ikom, Obanliku, Obubra, Obudu, Odukpani, Ogoja, Yakurr and Yala.
The population of Cross River State is estimated at 2.89 million persons (2006). Forty percent of the estimated population constitutes the active population that is engaged in various economic activities; ranging from subsistence agriculture to urban commerce and transport business.
Agricultural has, since 1970, been acknowledged as the leading economic sector of the state. Agriculture currently employs about 80 percent of the State's labour force, and contributes about 40 percent to the gross domestic products (GDP) of the State. The State has modern agricultural estates and several smallholder farms located in the various local government areas.
Traditionally one of the most peaceful states in the federation, Cross River State is home to some of Nigeria’s most beautiful scenery. The development of the state’s tourism potential remains at the core of the state government’s strategy for development.
Taking in 32% of the entire State, Cross River boasts the world’s second largest preserved rain forests. The Afi Mountain Nature Reserve is one of the last remaining reserves and tropical rain forests in West Africa and is home to the most successful rehabilitation program for Drill Monkeys in the world today.
In between the southern beaches and northern mountains, visitors can enjoy a range of activities including a most beautiful canopy walkway which is situated close to the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. This canopy walkway holds the record of being the longest forest canopy walkway in Africa.
The Cross River National Park incorporates a large area of southeast Nigeria’s tropical rain forest between the Cross River State and the Republic of Cameroon border. Cross River National Park is now the only protected forest area in the rainforest region of Nigeria. Animal species to be found in the park are antelopes, chimpanzees, high forest monkeys, buffaloes, monkeys, high forest elephants, manatees and bush pigs. Others are baboons, leopards, and gorillas, some of which are endangered.
Located some 17 km from Ikom, in northern Cross River State, and about 300 km from Calabar, are the Agbokim Falls. The falls are considered a “miracle of nature” and consist of seven different streams, each cascading over steep cliffs, providing seven-faced falls.
Cross River is also home to the largest naturally occurring lake in the South- South region of Nigeria: the Refome Lake. The lake is central to a fishing festival, which takes place between March and May every year.
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