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LagosLagos is the largest city in Nigeria and, with its population of 13.4 million people (2000), one of the largest in Africa (second only to Cairo, Egypt). Lagos was the capital of Nigeria until 1991 when the capital was moved to Abuja. Lagos remains the commercial capital of Nigeria. Lagos is built on the mainland and the series of islands surrounding Lagos Lagoon. Originally a small village, known as Eko, its position as one of the few natural harbours on the Atlantic coast made it a principal site for European contact. From the fifteenth century, sailors from Portugal established a trading post on the island, which they renamed Lagos, after a town in southern Portugal. Trade was in spices, ivory and slaves. The town was taken over by the British in 1807 in an effort to stamp out the slave trade. Lagos was incorporated into the colony of Nigeria in 1900. The main commercial remains Lagos Island, which is connected to the mainland by three large bridges: Eko Bridge, Carter Bridge, and Third Mainland Bridge. Ikoyi and Victoria islands are closely connected to Lagos Island. The main docks are in Apapa directly opposite Lagos Island. Other districts on the mainland include Ebute-Meta, Surulere, Yaba (Lagos) (site of Lagos University), Mushin, and Ikeja, site of Murtala Mohammed International Airport. Transport links within Lagos are congested, due in part to the geography of the city, its explosive population growth, as well as bad roads and bad driving habits. A chain of salt-water lagoons runs west to Badagri and also east toward Ogun State. History Lagos was originally called Eko, which means "cassava farm". It was founded by the royal family that came from Benin city. The founding king was Ado. He begat Gbaro, Akinsemoyin, and Erelu Kuti. Eko was the land area where the king's palace was built. The indigenous people settled down in the southern part of Eko called "Isale Eko", meaning "South Lagos". Erelu Kuti begat Ologun Kutere, who became king, and Shokun his brother, who was given a Chieftancy house behind the king's palace called "Onile-gbale" (Land owner-sweeps your land). The King dynasty started henceforth and the king's brother started his own chieftancy family behind the palace. External links
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