Cross River State, Nigeria

Map of Cross River State	Executive Governor Benedict Ayade	Coat of Arms
Official Website: http://www.crossriverstate.gov.ng
Population: 2,888,966 (2006 Estimate)     Alias: The People's Paradise
Local Governments
Akpabuyo Odukpani Akamkpa Biase Abi Ikom	Yarkur Odubra Boki Ogoja Yala Obanliku	Obudu Calabar South Etung Bekwara Bakassi Calabar Municipality

GENERAL INFORMATION Cross River State was created in May 27, 1967 from the then Eastern Region by the General Yakubu Gowon regime. It's name was changed to Cross River State in the 1976 state creation exercise by the then General Murtala Mohammed regime. The present day Akwa Ibom State was excised from it in the state creation exercise of September 1987 by the then regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. It's capital is Calabar. It's major towns are Akamkpa, Calabar, Ikon, Obubra, Odukpani, Ogoja, Okundi, Ugep, Obudu, Obanliku and Akpabuyo. Cross River is a coastal state in South Eastern Nigeria, named after Cross River , which passes through the state. Located in the Niger Delta, Cross River State occupies 20,156 square kilometres. It shares boundaries with Benue State to the north, Enugu and Abia States to the west, to the east by Cameroon Republic and to the south by Akwa-Ibom and the Atlantice Ocean. There are three major language groups in Cross River State - Efik, Ejagham and Bekwara.

The culture of the different groups in the State bear striking similarities. Each rhythm and dance express the inner feelings of the people which relate to particular events, festivals, or simply their way of life. Dances in Cross River State include: Ekpe, Nkwa, Obon, Udoiminyang, Abang, moninkim, Acharbor, Onat Ekertedi, Ayita, Udiang Otichui and many others. Traditional festivals relating to farming activities are observed in Yala, Yarkurr, Obubra, Wont, Ogoja, Obudu, Obanliku and Boki local Government areas. These festivals are observed annually to celebrate the rich harvest of the season.

ECONOMY
The Cross River State economy is predominantly agricultural and is sub-divided into two sectors - the public and the private sectors. The private sector is dominated by local subsistence farmers while the public sector is run by the Government and features large plantations and demonstration farms.
The main crops are cassava, yams, rice, plantain, banana, cocoyam, maize, cocoa, rubber, groundnut and palm produce.

The State government places emphasis on fish farming as a measure to diversify its economy. To this end, it took measures to boost fish production in areas including: fish farming, processing, storage, marketing, in-shore fishing and monitoring of fish resources.

Major livestock in the State are cattle; goats and sheep. Rearing activities are mainly undertaken by local farmers and nomadic Fulanis, except in Obanliku at the Obudu Cattle Ranch where organised cattle ranching takes place. The raising of poultry, pigs, rabbits and turkeys is carried out on a commercial scale in some parts of the State but mainly in Calabar Municipality.
Mineral resources in Cross river State include limestone, titanium, tin ore, ceramic raw materials and hardstone.

Cross River State is also an oil producing state.

TOURISM
As regards tourism, Cross River State offers both its visitors and interested indigenes many centres of attraction. The outstanding ones are Obudu Cattle Ranch, Obudu, Old Residency Museum, Calabar, Agbokin Waterfalls, Ikom, Etanpim Cave, in Odukpani local government area and Mary Slessor's Tomb, Calabar, Cross River National Park and Kwa Falls in Akamkpa local government area, Obubra Lake, Obubra and the Calabar Cenotaph, Calabar, Beaded works which are a peculiarity of Cross River State are sold in crafts shops. Common works are beaded bags, beaded wall hangings, shoes, Ekpe masquerade made with rafia, cane chairs, brass trays, rafia clocks, motif work and a lot more.

The state government is striving to make Cross River the tourism hub of the West African coast via the Tinapa resort project. Cruise ships are eventually expected to bring in large number of tourists to enjoy the Tinapa business resort.

The State capital, Calabar, can be reached by air, sea and road while other parts of the state are accessible by road. There is an international airport in Calabar.