Maiduguri
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maiduguri | |
Location in Nigeria | |
Coordinates: | |
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Country | Nigeria |
State | Borno State |
Maiduguri or Yerwa is the capital of Borno State in Nigeria and sits along the Ngadda River.[1] It was founded in 1907 as a military outpost by the British.
Contents |
[edit] History
The region was the home to both the Hausa and Kanem-Bornu Empires for centuries. The city was founded in 1907 as a military outpost by the British. The city eventually grew into one of the largest cities in Northern Nigeria. On 18 February 2006, riots related to the Prophet Muhammad cartoons published by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten left at least 16 people dead, and resulted in the destruction of approximately 40 churches.[2] [3]
[edit] Demographics
Maiduguri has an estimated population of 1,197,497 as of 2007.[4] It's citizens are mostly Muslim and largely Kanuri, although there is considerable Christian population.
[edit] Economy
Maiduguri is home to two markets, a museum and is served by the Maiduguri International Airport. Maiduguri has one of the best-equipped universities and hospitals in Nigeria, the University of Maiduguri. It is home to the El-Kanemi Warriors, a football team.
Maiduguri is the principle trading hub for northeastern Nigeria. Its economy is largly based on services and trade with a small share of manufacturing. The city lies at the end of a railway line connecting Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kafanchan, Kuru, Bauchi, and finally Maiduguri.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ "Encyclopædia Britannica". Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
- ^ "Al Jazeera: Fifteen killed in Nigerian cartoon riots". Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
- ^ "ReliefWeb: Nigeria's northeast state imposes curfew after religious crisis". Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
- ^ "The World Gazetteer". Retrieved on 2007-04-06.
- ^ "NigeriaFirst.org: Revamping the Nigerian Railway". Retrieved on 2007-04-06.