Lagos, Nigeria, the nation's largest city. It is on the Gulf of Guinea in southwestern Nigeria. Lagos is built on four islands and several mainland areas. The city's commercial center is on Lagos Island.
Lagos is Nigeria's chief commercial and industrial center. Nigeria's petroleum industry, which is the mainstay of the nation's economy, is centered here. Other major industries produce motor vehicles, chemicals, printed materials, processed foods, and textiles. Lagos is served by a railway, an international airport, and the nation's busiest port. The University of Lagos (founded 1962) is here. Also in Lagos are the National Library and the National Museum.
The Portuguese landed at the city's site in the 15th century. For centuries Lagos was a center for the purchase and export of slaves. In 1861 it was acquired by the British and made a crown colony. In 1960 the city became the capital of the newly independent Federation of Nigeria. Since the early 1970's Lagos has experienced rapid population growth. In 1991 Abuja was made the national capital. Many government offices, however, remained in Lagos.
Population: 1,484,000.
