Taraba State, State capital with administrative buildings in Jalingo, Nigeria.
Taraba State is a federal state in eastern Nigeria that stretches from the river plains to the southern highlands. The landscape shifts between open grassland, wooded hills, and river valleys shaped by several waterways.
The state formed in 1991 when the government divided the former Gongola State and combined areas from three administrative divisions. The boundaries followed older divisions that traced back to colonial structures from the first half of the 20th century.
The name comes from the Taraba River, which flows through the region and waters large areas. Residents speak more than eighty languages in daily life, and you often see handwoven fabrics and carved wooden items at local markets.
The road network connects the main towns, with the best routes running west and north. The rainy season from April to October makes some roads harder to pass, so it helps to check conditions before setting out.
In the south lie the Mambilla Highlands, one of the highest regions in the country, where temperatures at night drop much cooler than elsewhere in Nigeria. Visitors experience a different plant life there and often see morning fog over the hills.
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