Abuja (or the Federal Capital Territory, FCT) was built from scratch as Nigeria's centrally located administrative hub in the 1980s. As opposed to the chaotic former capital of Lagos, Abuja has a sense of orderliness and efficiency. Today the construction of office blocks, residential buildings, roads and flyovers continues as the city grows, albeit at a slower pace. With few sights to speak of, Abuja is home to embassies, multinational offices, conference centres and a handful of modern hotels and restaurants.

The purpose-built capital stands in Nigeria's geographic centre, home to just under 1.5 million people, its hospitable climate and lack of ethnic tension persuading the Federal Military Government of General Murtala Mohammeed to locate here. One advantage of being a relatively new city is that the infrastructure is good, with working street lights and traffic lights, and wide, modern freeways with pavements and roundabouts.

Abuja is divided into four main areas. The Central Business District is a neat grid of streets running through the city. At its north-eastern end stands Aso Rock, a 400-metre high mountain and the most striking feature of the local landscape. At its base are the Presidential Complex, National Assembly and the Supreme Court, appropriately named the Three Arms Zone. Access is permitted to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the top of the Shehu Shagari Road. Here the Brigade of Guards present a colourful changeover ceremony. Also in the area are the National Arboretum, sadly not open to the public; the National Children's Park & Zoo (09 523 0418), with plenty of outdoor activities for young ones; the Abuja Plant Nursery; and, on Independence Avenue, the National Mosque, its fine golden dome attractively lit up at night. Non-Muslims are not allowed in. The National Ecumenical Cathedral stands opposite.

Other notable institutions are located in the Garki District in the south-west corner of town, including the Abuja International Conference Centre and Garki Shopping Centre. Here Lagos Street is the capital's oldest residential quarter, where outdoor bars sell cold beers and ram and half-chickens sizzle on suya stalls. The main market in the city is at Wuse, the district to the north west also containing the landmark Sheraton Hotel & Towers. Wuse II and its Eagle Centre, meanwhile, are the location for November's Abuja Carnival, the biggest event on the local calendar.

• Tourist information: Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, Old Secretariat, Area I, Garki (09 234 2764, www.nigeriatourism.net).