Nigeria is located on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. It has a diverse geography that ranges from coastal lowlands in the south to arid lands in the north. Nigeria has a long history of European colonization beginning in the 16th century, and it gained independence from Britain in 1960. However, the early independence period was unstable and two military coups took place. This led to a civil war in 1967 when the Eastern region of Biafra declared independence, resulting in over 2 million deaths. Nigeria has a diverse culture that reflects its ethnic and religious mix, with influences from its colonial history under Britain.