Lagos is the economic and financial centre of Nigeria and until 1991 was the country's capital city. It is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria; with a population of over 7,935,000, it is also the third most populous city in Africa.
Lagos is a huge metropolis which originated on islands separated by creeks, such as Lagos Island, which fringe the south-west mouth of Lagos Lagoon. Lagos gradually spread onto the mainland west of the lagoon and the conurbation, including Ikeja and Agege, now reaches more than 40km north-west of Lagos Island. There are numerous suburbs and recently more local councils have been created to bring the total number of local governments in Lagos to 57.
Most of the population lives on the mainland and most industries are located there too. Lagos is well known for its music and nightlife, and in recent years more night clubs have sprung up on the islands. Victoria Island in particular has become an important nightlife attraction.
Lagos has a tropical savanna climate that is similar to that of the rest of southern Nigeria. There are two rainy seasons, with the heaviest rains falling from April to July and a weaker rainy season in October and November.
