Delta State, Nigeria

Map of Delta State	Executive Governor Ifeanyi Okowa	Coat of Arms
Official Website: http://www.deltastate.gov.ng
Population: 4,098,391 (2006 Estimate)     Alias: The Big Heart
Local Governments
Oshimili Aniocha Aniocha South Ika South Ika North-East Ndokwa West Ndokwa East Isoko south Isoko North	Bomadi Burutu Ughelli South Ughelli North Ethiope West Ethiope East Sapele Okpe	Warri North Warri South Uvwie Udu Warri Central Ukwani Oshimili North Patani

GENERAL INFORMATION Delta State was created from the then Bendel State 27th August 1991 by the then regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. Delta State is named after the delta region of the River Niger. It's capital is Asaba. Warri is the biggest commercial city in the state. Other major towns are Agbor, Ughelli, Oleh, Ozoro, Oghara, Sapele, Koko, Burutu, Okpanam and Ogwashi-ukwu. Delta State can be considered a miniature version of Nigeria, with various ethnic groups.  Delta State shares common boundaries with Edo and Ondo States to the north west, Imo and Anambra to the north east, Rivers and Bayelsa States to the south east. In the south west and south it has approximately 122 kilometres of coastline bounded by the Bight of Benin on the Atlantic ocean.

The Major ethnic groups are Urhobo, Igbo, Ezon, Isoko and Itsekiri. All the ethnic groups claim a common ancestry, consequently, their cultures are similar. These similarities are manifested in their religious folklores, dances, art and crafts and festivals.

ECONOMY
Delta State is a major oil producing state and ranks second to Rivers State. The State supplies about 35% of Nigeria's crude oil and some considerable amount of natural gas. The oil producing local government areas are Warri North and South, Burutu, Isoko North and South, Ughelli North and South, Okpe, Ethiope East and West, Sapele and Ndokwa East and West. The nation's second refinery as well as petrochemical plant are located in the state at Warri.

The oil producing local government areas are Warri North and South, Burutu, Isoko North and South, Ughelli North and South, Okpe, Ethiope East and West, Sapele and Ndokwa East and West. The nation's second refinery as well as petrochemical plant are located in the state at Warri.

The Delta state government is however making efforts to diversify the state's revenue base from solely oil. Tourism and agricultural development are other areas the government is looking at developing into major revenue earners.

The state government accords various forms of assistance to farmers in the areas of fisheries, agriculture, forestry, veterinary services, produce planning and research. Most local governments in the state boast of fisheries extension units which cater for advisory inputs - nets, engines ropes, lead, floats and others. The state government has invested adequately in fisheries due to the natural resources which Delta State is blessed with. Fresh fish, crabs, shrimps and dried fish abound in almost all the local governments.

Delta State is also rich in major tubers and root crops such as cassava, coco yams, yam and potatoes. There are programmes initiated to encourage agriculture in the state. These include Delta Agricultural Development Programme (DADP), Task Force on communal farming, Agricultural Loan schemes to small scale farmers; Fishermen Farm Settlement Scheme, Tree Crop Unit and Livestock Production are also encouraged.

Industries in Delta State include Glass Factory at Ughelli, the African Timber and Plywood Factory, Sapele and Asaba Textile Mills. There are several industries in the state participating primarily in the processing of raw materials such as rubber and timber, such as the African Timber and Plywood (AT&P) in Sapele, Asaba Textile Mill, Ughelli Glass Factory, Delta Boatyard, and the Delta Steel Company, Ovwian-Aladja

TOURISM
The state is endowed with a rich cultural heritage. Various kinds of festivals are held in the state. For example the Agbasa Festival celebrated by the Urhobo. 

The celebration of traditional festivals are annual community affair throughout Delta State. Almost every village celebrates a traditional festival and this draws both indigenes and non-indigenes to the village. Traditional festivals normally come between March and December every year. These festivals offer occasions for re-union of members of the family, friends and well wishers from far and near. Some of the important festivals celebrated in the State are Adane Okpe, Iyeri, Edjenu, Okere Juju, Ine, Ulor, Ukwata and Ore-Uku.

Delta State boasts of quite a number of hotels for the comfort of visitors. These hotels are located in all major towns in the State. There are standard hotels in the state such as the Palm Royal Hotel in Warri and the River Motel, Abraka.