a state in western Nigeria, with an area of 74, 300 sq km and a population of 2.4 million (1963, census), comprising mainly the Yoruba, Igala, and Igbirra. The capital is Ilorin. The greater part of the state is located along the right bank of the Niger River. Kwara has an equatorial monsoonal climate with a rainy season lasting seven months. Precipitation ranges from 1,000 to 1, 300 mm a year, and the average monthly temperature varies from 25° to 30°C. The dominant vegetation is savanna forest and savanna. In agriculture, the main subsistence crops are millet and sorghum, and small amounts of yams, rice, cotton, sugarcane, cocoa, sesame, and palm oil and kernels are produced for the market. The region has deposits of iron ore (near Lokoja), mica, coal, and talc. Industry is represented by enterprises producing sugar, cigarettes, matches, and paper and cardboard, and there are also cotton-ginning plants, vegetable-oil mills, and sawmills. Craft industries include the production of pottery.