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Lagos

geography Maturity 11-13 Vital Level 3 Next article →

Lagos is a huge, bustling city in southwestern Nigeria.

Lagos, Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria

It sits near the Atlantic Ocean and the Lagos Lagoon. The land is shaped by many creeks and long sand spits.

The-elegushi-beach-lagos
The-elegushi-beach-lagos

These features protect the area from the ocean waves. Lagos is a megacity, which means it is a very large urban area. It is one of the fastest-growing cities on our planet. The city is a major center for money, art, and technology in Africa.

Life in Lagos moves very quickly because so many people live there. The city is divided into two main parts called the Island and the Mainland.

Lagos Map
Lagos Map

The Island was the original heart of the city. As more people arrived, the city grew west across the lagoon to the Mainland. Today, the metropolitan area includes 16 different local government areas.

Map of the Local Government Areas of Lagos
Map of the Local Government Areas of Lagos

This large area holds about 85% of the people in Lagos State. Many people move here every year to find new jobs and opportunities.

History tells us that the Awori people lived here a long time ago. They settled on a farmstead along the coast in the 15th century. In the Yoruba language, a farmstead is called an Ereko. This is where the native name Eko comes from.

(Photo-walk Nigeria) palace of oba of egbeda, Lagos State
(Photo-walk Nigeria) palace of oba of egbeda, Lagos State

Later, the name Lagos was used. This name comes from the Portuguese word for lakes. It was likely named after Lagos in Portugal. This happened during the 15th century when explorers traveled along the African coast.

Lagos has a very important role in the history of Nigeria. It served as the national capital for a long time. In December 1991, the government moved the capital to Abuja.

2010 Lagos Nigeria 5284107494
2010 Lagos Nigeria 5284107494

Even though it is no longer the capital, it is still a massive economic hub. The city has the second-highest GDP in Africa. It also houses one of the busiest seaports on the continent.

Free-Trade-Zone-Lekki-English2
Free-Trade-Zone-Lekki-English2

This port helps the whole country by moving goods across the sea.

There is so much to see and do in this vibrant place. You can visit the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, which is a very busy airport.

Lekki free trade zone
Lekki free trade zone

Sports fans might visit the Lagos National Stadium.

Main-bowl-national-stadium-surulere-lagos
Main-bowl-national-stadium-surulere-lagos

The city skyline is filled with many tall, high-rise buildings.

Eko Atlantic (Lagos) Skyline
Eko Atlantic (Lagos) Skyline

You can also find beautiful nature at the Lekki Conservation Centre.

LEKKI CONSERVATION CENTRE (LCC) 10
LEKKI CONSERVATION CENTRE (LCC) 10

From fashion to food, Lagos connects many different parts of Africa together.

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🖼️ Images & Media (37)
File:Map of the Local Government Areas of Lagos.png
Map of the Local Government Areas of Lagos.png
File:Lagos Map.PNG
Lagos Map.PNG
File:Lagos, Nigeria.jpg
Lagos, Nigeria.jpg
File:2010 Lagos Nigeria 5284107494.jpg
2010 Lagos Nigeria 5284107494.jpg
File:Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.jpg
Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.jpg
File:Eko Atlantic (Lagos) Skyline.jpg
Eko Atlantic (Lagos) Skyline.jpg
File:Free-Trade-Zone-Lekki-English2.jpg
Free-Trade-Zone-Lekki-English2.jpg
File:Clapper Lady.jpg
Clapper Lady.jpg
File:Kamdi Uko - Andela Lagos.jpg
Kamdi Uko - Andela Lagos.jpg
File:Falomo view from the bridgeto MTN PLaza.jpg
Falomo view from the bridgeto MTN PLaza.jpg
File:Pharmacy ikeja lagos.jpg
Pharmacy ikeja lagos.jpg
File:Lekki free trade zone.jpg
Lekki free trade zone.jpg

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