Calabar

About Calabar

Calabar is the capital of Cross river state in the southsouth region of Nigeria. The City is regarded as Nigeria’s tourism capital and has a population of about 876,664 inhabitants. Christianity is the dominant religion while efik and English are the most common means of communication. The city is popular for the annual calabar carnival. Notable streets/districts in Calabar town include State housing estate, Federal housing estate, Ekorinim 1 and 2, Creek town, Satelite town, 8 miles, Parliamentary road extension, Anantigha, Etta Agbo, House of Assembly staff quarters, and the Murtala Mohammed highway. Tertiary institutions found in Calabar include the University of Calabar and the Cross River University of Technology. 

The city of calabar has several remarkable landmarks which include the Calabar river, the National Museum, Slave museum, Chief Ekpo Bassey's house, Statue of Mary Slessor, Tomb of Mary Slessor, Tortuga Island, Marina Resort and Amusement Park,  and the Calabar drill Monkey ranch. Calabar also hosts several health facilities and these include the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, General Hospital, Federal Neuropsychiatric hospital, Mevon Specialist hospital, Mission Hill Clinicand Maternity, St Joseph Hospital, St Nicholas Medical Center, AmandaJarvis Clinic, Bakor Medical Center, and the Faith Foundation Specialist hospital. 

 


GEOGRAPHY

Calabar has a total area of 406 km squared and falls under the tropical monsoon climate. Calabar also has a number of rivers and tributaries which include the calabar river.

The city has two distinct seasons; the rainy and dry seasons with average temperature atv 26 degrees centigrade. The total estimated rainfall is 3450 mm per annum while humidity is at 86 percent.


ECONOMY

Calabar’s economy hinges on Crude oil exploration and tourism. Also, fishing and crop cultivation are important economic engagements of the inhabitants of calabar. Trade also booms in the city with several markets such as the Watt, Uwanse, Marian, and Esuk Mba markets existing within the City's territory. 

A large number of banks, hotels, industries, relaxation spots, and government owned establishments can also be found in Calabar.  


HISTORY

Calabar was originally known as Akwa akpa and played a prominent role in the atlantic slave trade serving as a major port in the transport of African slaves to Europe. Calabar has been the capital city of Cross River state since the state's creation in 1967 

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