Name: Lagos
Address: Nigeria

How it opened

I stand where the Atlantic whispers against the shores of West Africa, a sprawling giant born from the sea.

The five clues

01A bride of water and land, I grow faster than the heartbeat of continents, my millions doubling like dreams.
02In southwestern Nigeria, where the coast bends and the harbor opens wide, maritime commerce flows through my veins.
03Founded in the fifteenth century, I became a beacon when explorers first sought passage along African waters.
04The largest city on an entire continent, with populations between 17 and 21 million souls calling me home.
05Nigeria's greatest metropolis and port, a megacity of West Africa sprawling across the southwestern edge of the nation.

The answer

Lagos

Nigeria · Africa

About this place

This southwestern Nigerian port city has evolved from a 1472 settlement into Africa's most populous urban center, now estimated to house between 17 and 21 million people. As one of the world's fastest-growing megacities, it pulses with the energy of continental commerce and maritime trade. Lagos stands as a testament to human ambition, where ancient history and explosive modern growth converge on the Atlantic shore.

Geography

Lagos lies on the Atlantic coast in southwestern Nigeria, within the African continent. Its position along the water has made it a major port, shaping the city into a sprawling metropolitan center. The surrounding lowland terrain and coastal setting have encouraged growth along waterways and harbors, giving the urban area its distinctive maritime character.

History

Lagos traces its origins back to 1472, when it was established along the Nigerian coastline. Over the centuries, its advantageous position as a port settlement allowed it to expand steadily, eventually transforming from a coastal town into one of the continent's largest urban centers. This long growth trajectory has made it central to Nigeria's development.

Notable features

Lagos stands as the largest city in Nigeria and the most populous urban area in all of Africa. Its rapid expansion places it among the fastest-growing megacities anywhere in the world. As a bustling port metropolis, it plays a vital role in trade and commerce, drawing tens of millions of residents into its ever-expanding urban sprawl.

Fact sheet

Country: Nigeria
Continent: Africa
Coordinates: 6.456, 3.394
Population: 15,070,000
Founded: 1472

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GeoOracle #108: Lagos