Lagos Island

Lagos Island
LGA
Lagos Island skyline
Lagos Island shown within Lagos
Lagos Island Lagos Island shown within Lagos
Coordinates: 6°27′N 3°24′E / 6.450°N 3.400°E / 6.450; 3.400
Country	Nigeria
State	Lagos State
City	Lagos
Population (2006)
• Total	209,437
Time zone	WAT (UTC+1)

Lagos Island is the principal and central local government area in Lagos, Lagos State. It is part of the Lagos Division. As of the preliminary 2006 Nigerian census, the LGA had a population of 209,437 in an area of 8.7 km². The LGA only covers the western half of Lagos Island; the eastern half is under the jurisdiction of the LGA of Eti-Osa.

Overview

Lying in Lagos Lagoon, a large protected harbour on the coast of Africa, the island was home to the Yoruba fishing village of Eko, which grew into the modern city of Lagos. The city has now spread out to cover the neighbouring islands as well as the adjoining mainland.

Lagos Island is connected to the mainland by three large bridges which cross Lagos Lagoon to the district of Ebute Metta. It is also linked to the neighbouring island of Ikoyi and to Victoria Island. The Lagos harbour district of Apapa faces the western side of the island. Forming the main commercial district of Lagos, Lagos Island plays host to the main government buildings, shops and offices. The Catholic and Anglican Cathedrals as well as the Central Mosque are located here.

Historically, Lagos Island (Isale Eko) was home to the Brazilian Quarter of Lagos where the majority of the slave trade returnees from Brazil settled. Many families lived on Broad Street in the Marina.

Detailed map of Lagos Island

The poorer eastern side of the island contains the main markets and the poorer housing. The island is extremely crowded and congested and attempts have been made to build new roads out over the lagoon in order to improve traffic flows. It is also the part of Lagos which the Oba (King) of Lagos resides. It is also believed that the Eyo festival can only be held in this part of Lagos.

Economy

Most Nigerian banks' head offices are located on Lagos Island. First Bank of Nigeria is one of the Nigerian Banks with its head office in Marina, Lagos Island.

References

External links

Media related to Lagos Island at Wikimedia Commons

• Lagos Island Local Government
• lagos employment

Coordinates: 6°27′N 3°24′E / 6.450°N 3.400°E / 6.450; 3.400

Lagos State
State capital: Ikeja
Cities	Eko Atlantic Ikorodu Ikeja Lagos Lekki
Towns	Badagry Epe Ojo
LGAs	Agege Ajeromi-Ifelodun Alimosho Amuwo-Odofin Apapa Badagry Epe Eti-Osa Ibeju-Lekki Ifako-Ijaiye Ikeja Ikorodu Kosofe Lagos Island Lagos Mainland Mushin Ojo Oshodi-Isolo Somolu Surulere
Government	Leaders Governor Chief Justice Attorney General Ministries Education Finance Agriculture and Cooperatives Commerce and Industry Economic Planning and Budget Energy and Mineral Resources Environment Establishments, Training and Pensions Health Home Affairs and Culture Housing Information and Strategy Justice Rural Development Science and Technology Special Studies Tourism and Inter-governmental Relations Transport Waterfront Infrastructure Development Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Works and Infrastructure Youth, Sports and Social Development House of Assembly 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th Others Lagos State Civil Service Head of Service City Hall, Lagos Lagos State Police Command Oba of Lagos