Portugal, Lagos

Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria and arguably the most populous city in Africa. Lagos city is a huge metropolis with streaming population in the south-western archipelegos of the Nigerian coastline which includes the mainland and the surrounding Islands.

Today, the word Lagos most often refers to the metropolitan areas which include both the Island and mainland suburbs of Lagos State. Lagos has grown from a small Yoruba settlement, and undergone periods of domination by two European powers, to become the commercial and population center of Nigeria. As only two censuses (in 1972 and 1991) have been taken since independence, estimates of its population vary considerably, but generally range from 12 to 18.5 million people, making it one of the two most populous metropolis in Africa.

History

Lagos was once a big head Yoruba settlement of Awori people called Eko. The name is thought to stem from either Oko (Yoruba: "cassava farm") or Eko ("war camp"). The present day Lagos state has a higher percent of Awori, who migrated to the area from Isheri along the Ogun river. Throughout history, it was home to a number of warring tribes who had settled in the area. During its early history, it also saw periods of rule by the Kingdom of Benin.
Portuguese explorer Ruy de Sequeira visited the area in 1472, naming the area around the city Lago de Curamo. From 1704-1851 it served as a major center of the slave trade. In 1841 Oba Akitoye ascended to the throne of Lagos and tried to bring an end to slave trading by placing a ban on the act. Lagos merchants, most notably Madam Tinubu, resisted the ban, deposed the king and installed his brother Oba Kosoko.

Lagos was the capital of Nigeria from 1914 - 1991; it was stripped of this title when the Federal Capital Territory was established at the purpose-built city of Abuja. However, most government functions (especially the head of state) stayed in Lagos for a time since Abuja was still under construction. In 1991, the head of state and other government functions finally moved to the newly built capital in a mass exodus. The change resulted in Lagos losing some prestige and economic leverage.

Climate

The climate in Lagos is similar to that of the rest of southern Nigeria. There are two rainy seasons, with the heaviest rains falling from April to July and a weaker rainy season in October and November. There is a brief relatively dry spell in August and September and a longer dry season from December to March. Monthly rainfall between May and July averages over 300 mm (12 in), while in August and September it is down to 75 mm (3 inches) and in January as low as 35 mm (1.5 inches). The main dry season is accompanied by harmattan winds from the Sahara Desert, which between December and early February can be quite strong. According to BBC Weather, the average temperature in January is 27°C (79°F) and for July it is 25°C (77°F). On average the hottest month is March; with a mean temperature of 29°C (84°F); while July is the coolest month.

Geography

Lagos consists of a large lagoon (hence its name) and an archipelago of large islands in the lagoon. The three major islands are Lagos Island, Ikoyi, and Victoria. The commercial centre remains Lagos Island, which is connected to the mainland by three large bridges: Eko Bridge, Carter Bridge, and Third Mainland Bridge. Ikoyi and Victoria island are closely connected to Lagos Island. The main docks are in Apapa directly opposite Lagos Island. The rest of the city is built on the African mainland. Districts on the mainland include Ebute-Meta, Surulere, Yaba (Lagos) (site of the University of Lagos), Mushin, Maryland and Ikeja, site of Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

Law and government

Unlike many major first-world cities, but like many African and developing country cities, Lagos does not have its own mayor or council, but is instead governed as part of a regular Nigerian state. Since 1967, Lagos has been part of Lagos State. Lagos was the headquarters of Lagos State until 1976, when this was moved to Ikeja

Lagos State covers some of the area beyond the city's borders, such as Badagri, but its primary focus is on Lagos proper. The State of Lagos is split into 20 local governments. The state is responsible for utilities including roads and transportation, power, water, health, and education.

The city is also home to the High Court of the Lagos State Judiciary, housed in an old colonial building on Lagos Island

Economy

Lagos is Nigeria's leading port. The Port of Lagos, operated by the Nigerian Port Authority is split into three main sections: Lagos port, Apapa Port and Tin Can Port, all located on the Gulf of Guinea.The port features a railhead.

The port handles imports of consumer goods, foodstuffs, motor vehicles, machinery, and industrial raw materials. Its export trade in timber and agricultural products such as cacao and groundnuts has declined since the early 1970s, although the port has seen growing amounts of crude oil exported, with export figures rising between 1997 and 2000. Oil and petroleum products provide 20% of GDP and 95% of foreign exchange earnings in Nigeria as a whole.

Lagos is also Nigeria's commercial centre. Many of the country's largest banks and financial institutions are located here. More than half of Nigeria's industrial capacity is located in Lagos's mainland suburbs, particularly in the Ikeja industrial estate. A wide range of manufactured goods are produced in the city, including machinery, motor vehicles, electronic equipment, chemicals, beer, processed food, and textiles.

Culture

Lagos is famous throughout West Africa for its music scene. Lagos has given birth to a variety of styles such as highlife, juju, fuji, and Afrobeat. In recent years Lagos has been the fore-runner with African styled hip-hop branded Afrohip-hop.

Lagos is the centre of the Nigerian film industry, often referred to as 'Nollywood.' Many of the large film producers have offices in Surulere, Lagos, though there aren't any film studios in Nollywood, in the Hollywood sense. Idumota market on Lagos Island is the primary distribution center. Also many films are shot in the Festac area of Lagos.

The cinemas are gradually losing their supporters to the movie industry. Yoruba films happen to be the most watched in the cinemas, followed by Indian films. Films are not premiered for a long period of time in the western sense, especially with Yoruba films. The English spoken films move directly from the studios to the market.

The National Arts Theatre Iganmu is a National heritage.