The northern region of Nigeria is home to the Jos Plateau and Lake Chad. Lake Chad has been shrinking over the last 40 years. Grasses and thorn trees cover part of northern Nigeria.
Ethnic Groups The Hausa and Fulani are the largest ethnic groups in Northern Nigeria. The Hausa settled in northern Nigeria about 1,000 years ago and the Fulani settled about 800 years ago in northern Nigeria. There are important trading centers in kingdoms in Northern Nigeria. One-third of all Nigerians speak Hausa. Traditional Fulani speak Fulfulde. Most of the Hausa members live in urban areas while most of the Fulani live in rural areas. Cattle herds travel across northern Nigeria in the dry season looking for grazing land. In the rainy season, the Fulani live in villages and plant crops. Muslim is the main faith in northern Nigeria, while some people who live there are christian. Culture Parts of northern Nigeria have a hot climate. Most city houses have flat roofs. On hot nights people will sleep on their roofs. The houses are generally made out of mud and the roofs are made out of reeds or palm leaves. The reeds and palm leaves provide good shelter from the sun. People wear loose clothes to protect themselves from the sun. The men wear floor length robes and baggy cotton pants. They also wear a arab style hat called a Fez. The women wear robes that are the length of their body. Muslim women wear a Hijab. The Hausa Tension drum is made out of wood and animal skin. Economy Many people who live in the northern region of Nigeria are farmers and herders. The Hausa farmers grow crops such as corn, and millet. They eat some of what they grow and sell all the rest. Fulani herders sell milk or products made from milk such as butter. They rarely kill cows for their meat. The Hausa make cloth and leather goods. People come from all over to buy the Hausa's goods. They sell crafts and factory made goods to locals.