Calabar, Nigeria

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Calabar, Nigeria

Region: Cross River State

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Geographic Coordinates: 4.976700, 8.338300

Climate: Calabar, Nigeria experiences a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year, and two distinct rainy seasons from March to June and September to November.

Population: 461796

Language: English

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Calabar is a city in southeastern Nigeria and the capital of Cross River State. It is a popular tourist destination due to its rich history, Culture, And natural beauty. One of Calabar’s most notable features is its location at the meeting point between the Calabar River and Cross River. The city has a tropical climate with lush vegetation, Making it an ideal destination for nature lovers. Visitors can explore various parks and reserves such as Kwa Falls, Agbokim Waterfalls National Park, Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, And Cross River National Park.

Calabar also boasts a vibrant cultural scene that showcases its diversity and heritage. The annual Calabar Carnival is one of Africa’s largest street parties that attracts thousands of visitors from around the world every December. During this festival, Participants dress up in colorful costumes to dance through the streets while showcasing their unique cultures. The city also has several historical landmarks that reflect its past as a major hub for slave trade during colonial times.

One such landmark is Mary Slessor House which was once home to Mary Slessor – a Scottish missionary who worked tirelessly to end slavery in Nigeria during her lifetime. In addition to its cultural attractions, Calabar offers excellent cuisine with local delicacies such as Afang soup – made with vegetables like waterleaf or spinach – being particularly popular among locals and visitors alike.

Furthermore, Calabar boasts some impressive infrastructure like Tinapa Business Resort – an integrated business resort which includes shopping centers where tourists can buy Nigerian-made products; Obudu Cattle Ranch – a mountain resort located on Obudu Plateau; Marina Resort – an eco-friendly park featuring amusement rides for children; Slave Museum – dedicated to preserving historical artifacts relating to slave trade; Duke Town Church – built-in 1884 by Duke Ephraim Efiom I who was instrumental in ending slave trade in Calabar. Calabar is one of Nigeria’s most attractive tourist destinations due to its unique blend of history, Culture, And natural beauty.

Its diverse attractions make it an excellent place to visit for anyone who wants to experience Africa’s rich heritage and explore its beautiful landscape. With its vibrant cultural scene, Stunning natural scenery, And delicious cuisine, Calabar is undoubtedly one of the must-visit cities in Nigeria.

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1. Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort
2. Calabar Carnival
3. Obudu Mountain Resort
4. National Museum, Calabar
5. Kwa Falls
6. Mary Slessor’s House
7. Slave History Museum
8. Drill Monkey Rehabilitation Centre
9. Cross River National Park
10. Marina Resort

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1. Oil and gas
2. Agriculture
3. Manufacturing
4. Tourism
5. Education
6. Banking & finance
7. Transport & logistics

Details:

1. Oil and gas

   Calabar is home to a number of oil and gas companies such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and ExxonMobil.

2. Agriculture

   The city’s fertile land makes it ideal for agriculture with major crops grown in the area including cassava, yam, maize, rice, cocoa and palm oil.

3. Manufacturing

   Several manufacturing companies are also located in Calabar producing goods such as cement textiles and plastics products.

4. Tourism

   The city has become a popular tourist destination due to its rich history and culture with an annual carnival attracting visitors from all over the world.

5. Education

   Education is also a significant industry with several universities located within the city including University of Calabar (UNICAL), Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH), Federal College of Education (FCE) among others.

6. Banking & finance

   Calabar has several banks operating within its borders such as First Bank Nigeria Limited; Zenith Bank Plc; Access Bank Plc etc.

7. Transport & logistics

   Additionally there are several transport companies providing transportation services to different parts of Nigeria like Peace Mass Transit Ltd., Cross Country Transport Limited etc.

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1. The city of Calabar played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade, serving as a major center for the transportation of enslaved Africans.
2. Mary Slessor, a Scottish missionary, lived in Calabar for more than three decades and is renowned for her efforts to end the practice of killing twins in the region.
3. The Efik people were one of southeastern Nigeria’s most powerful groups, with their kingdom centered around Calabar.
4. In 1885, Calabar became a British colony and remained under British rule until Nigeria gained independence in 1960.
5. Herbert Macaulay was born in Calabar and was instrumental in Nigeria’s struggle for independence from Britain.
6. In 1901, Prince George visited Calabar as part of Queen Victoria’s tour of West Africa.
7. The Ekpe society originated among the Efik people and remains an important aspect of traditional culture today.
8. Covering more than 4,000 square kilometers of rainforest, Cross River National Park is home to many rare plant and animal species such as gorillas and chimpanzees.
9. Festivals are an integral part of life in Calabar; Carnival Calabar (the largest street party on the African continent) and Ndem Ayara (a celebration of Efik culture) are two popular events held annually.
10. U.J Esuene Stadium located at Marian Road,Cross River State,Nigeria is one among Nigeria’s oldest stadiums.

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1. National Museum of Calabar
2. Slave History Museum
3. Tinapa Business Resort and Free Trade Zone
4. Mary Slessor House
5. Calabar Drill Monkey Ranch
6. Duke Town Church
7. Marina Resort & Water Park
8. Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary
9. Cross River State Cultural Center
10. Millennium Park

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1. Calabar Carnival is the largest cultural event in Calabar and one of the biggest street carnivals in Africa. It takes place annually during the Christmas period, from December 1 to 31.
2. Obudu Mountain Race is an annual mountain race that occurs at the Obudu Cattle Ranch in Calabar every November.
3. The African Film Festival showcases films from different parts of Africa and beyond, usually taking place between March and April.
4. Nkoyo Festival celebrates the culture and traditions of Efik people, held in May.
5. Ekpe Festival is a traditional masquerade festival celebrated by Efik people to honour their ancestors, which usually takes place between September and October.
6. Leboku New Yam Festival is a colourful cultural festival celebrated by Yakurr people to mark their new yam harvest, held every August.
7. Cross River State Carnival Queen Pageant seeks to identify young ladies who will represent Cross River State at various national events; it holds annually during Christmas festivities.
8. International Jazz Festival features performances from local jazz musicians as well as international acts; it usually holds around Easter period (April).

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1. Edikang Ikong: a soup made with leafy vegetables and assorted meat or fish.
2. Efik-style fisherman soup: a spicy soup made with fresh seafood, palm oil, and spices.
3. Afang Soup: a vegetable soup made with afang leaves and assorted meat or fish.
4. Ekpang Nkukwo: a dish made from cocoyam paste wrapped in leaves and served with various types of stew.
5. Akara (bean cake): deep-fried bean cakes often eaten as breakfast or snacks.

Some popular restaurants in Calabar that serve these dishes include:

1. Tinapa Lakeside Hotel – offers continental dishes as well as local delicacies like Edikang Ikong and Afang Soup.
2. Calabar Kitchen – specializes in traditional Efik cuisine such as Fisherman’s Soup and Ekpang Nkukwo.
3. The Bridge Restaurant – serves Nigerian dishes including Akara, Jollof Rice, Fried Rice, etc.
4. Mama Cass Restaurant – offers traditional Nigerian meals including soups like Egusi Soup, Okro Soup etc.
5. Orange Resort & Restaurant – serves both continental dishes as well as local delicacies like Afang Soup and Ekpang Nkukwo.

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1. Millennium Park is a popular public park in Calabar, located in the heart of the city. It features a large green space, walking paths, and a playground.
2. Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort is an entertainment center with various recreational activities such as water parks, cinemas, shopping centers, and restaurants.
3. Marina Resort is another popular public park in Calabar that offers a range of recreational activities such as boat rides, mini-golf courses, swimming pools and playgrounds.
4. Cross River National Park covers over 4000 sq km of land area that includes rainforests, savannah grasslands and mangrove swamps.
5. Kwa Falls is a beautiful waterfall located just outside Calabar which offers scenic views for visitors to enjoy.
6. Obudu Mountain Resort is located on the Obudu Plateau near Cross River National Park this resort offers hiking trails with stunning views along with other outdoor activities like horse riding etc.
7. Slave Museum & Freedom Park is a historical site where slave trade took place in Nigeria before it was abolished by British Government; now converted into museum showcasing history of slavery & freedom struggle
8. Calabar Cultural Center showcases the rich culture and heritage of Calabar through dance performances , music concerts , exhibitions etc .
9. Mary Slessor’s House: The house where Mary Slessor lived during her missionary work in Nigeria has been preserved as a museum showcasing her life story .
10. Agbokim Waterfalls are located about two hours drive from Calabar this waterfall cascades down several steps creating natural pools for swimming .

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