Cairo to Lagos

Street vendors sell locally produced fruit and vegetables in the suburbs of Abuja.

This eccentric home with an aeroplane modelled on the roof is an example of some of the more lavish houses in Abuja. Most of the population cannot afford such luxury and live instead in areas like Karu.

A potter putting finishing touches to one of her pieces in the Greater Karu Urban area, one of numerous businesses being set up by residents on the outskirts of Abuja.

Photos and posters of local villagers, many of whom work in the capital city on a day to day basis, adorn the outside of this traditional hut in Fulani village, on the outskirts of Abuja.

Fulani village, on the outskirts of Abuja, is one of the many unplanned settlements that surround the city. Many of these villages are still made up of traditional huts.

Women working at a pottery co-operative in the Greater Karu Urban Area. An increasing number of businesses are being set up across the area, helping to provide income and opportunities for residents.

Roadside fruit vendors in Abuja. The majority of low and middle income workers in Abuja live in the Greater Karu Urban Area, in simple dwellings or shacks across the huge conurbation.

This map of Abuja shows the main city, with Aso Rock to the north east, and the surrounding towns and villages. Karu village is marked but the extent of the area cannot be seen on this map.

Fruit sellers travel between offices and apartments in Abuja. Many of these traders work in Abuja during the day but live in Karu due to the high accommodation costs in the city.

Aso Rock is the home to the presidential complex. It is named after the Asokoro tribe who once dominated the area and means “victorious”.

The monolithic Zuma Rock dominates the horizon in Abuja, overshadowing the new high-rise apartments under construction in the foreground.

Aso and Zuma Rocks were created as part of the Jos plateau, a large granite region forced upwards by tectonic forces more than 160 million years ago.

The uniformity of the city's layout is due to its strict planning and design process when the city was built in the 1970s; as it is such a young city, it has yet to grow organically.

The city spreads right up to the base of these granite monoliths which characterise Nigeria's capital city.

This map of Nigeria locates Abuja in the geographical centre of the country, within the granite expanse of the Jos plateau.

The road between Abuja and Zuma Rock is littered with small villages and traditional houses, emphasising the differences between the modern city and the surrounding settlements.

Zuma Rock towers 750 metres over the surrounding countryside and settlements, and acts as a strong symbol of Nigerian unity across Abuja and the nation.

This atmospheric photo showcases Zuma Rock, with the settlements which sprawl around the edge of Abuja running up to its base.

The Nigerian House of Representatives, located in the "Three Arms" district of Abuja close to Aso Rock, is the "lower house" of the National Assembly, as per the model used in the USA.

Some local people believe that a human face can be seen in the side of Zuma Rock, as this image suggests. This is one of many images and symbols associated with the rock.

Zuma Rock is a substantial monolith, rising 750 metres above the surrounding plains and providing a clear landmark and point of reference on the Abuja skyline.

The imposing Ministry of Defence building within the "Aso Rock" district of Abuja. The slogan over the main entry porch reads "Victory is from God Alone".

The National Cathedral in Abuja. The contemporary design reflects the modernity of the city.

The stunning silhouette of the National Mosque in Abuja, during a harmattan (trade wind) dust storm which gives the beautiful colouring and haze to the afternoon light.

A Ministry of Defence building in the "Aso Rock" district of Abuja, known locally as "Ship House" due to its flamboyant design.

The city gate of Abuja is a well known local landmark, welcoming visitors to the city. As a modern, planned city, Abuja is well connected by a comprehensive road system.

An early artist's impression of what Abuja would look like after Phases 1 and 2 of the city's reconstruction is complete.

This map of Abuja shows the organised way in which the city's development is planned. Phase 1 will build out to the inner ring road, with Phase 2 extending it to the west.

The proximity of the National Mosque and National Cathedral, which lie across the street from each other in the heart of Abuja is a reminder of the city's quest for unity.

The magnificent dome of the Grand Mosque in Abuja, which acts as the National Mosque. Built in 1984, it is across the road from the National Cathedral, helping to reinforce bonds between religious groups.

Modern housing developments and mobile phone masts jostle for position in the centre of Abuja, where tightly controlled development plans segment the city.

Roadside vendors sell snacks and assorted goods to construction workers and passers by in the city of Abuja. Building work in the city continues as further planned phases are undertaken.

Ongoing construction work in Abuja, supported by an unlikely array of angled scaffolding. The formal plans for Abuja have the city developing over four main phases of construction.

Locals and tourists gather in one of Abuja's markets: the careful planning of the city has designated specific areas for markets, shopping and tourism as well as business and accommodation.

The National Cathedral, under construction in the city of Abuja. It is located adjacent to the city's Grand Mosque, a further gesture of unity and tolerance between peoples.