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Owerri

Western Africa

Owerri is the capital of Imo State in southeastern Nigeria, in the heart of Igboland. Local tradition holds it was founded in the 14th century by Ekwem Oha, and it served as the final capital of the breakaway Republic of Biafra in 1969 after Nigerian forces captured Enugu and Umuahia. Its population was estimated at 1,401,873 in 2016 across three local government areas. Owerri is known for its nightlife, hotels and leisure parks, for the Assumpta Cathedral seat of its Roman Catholic archdiocese, and as the birthplace of footballers Nwankwo Kanu and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Facts
Population
908,109 1
Area (sq km)
104 1
Founding Year
1301 to 1400 2
Population Estimate Year
2021 1
Elevation (m)
158 1
Latitude
5.483333 degrees north 1
Longitude
7.033333 degrees east 1
Elevation Band
Lowland 3
Climate Zone
Tropical 4
Time Zone
UTC+01:00 3
FAQs

Why is Owerri called the Las Vegas of Africa?

Because of its night life and its many hotels and leisure parks.

Owerri is also called the Las Vegas of Africa because of the night life of the city and the numerous hotels, casinos and leisure parks found across it.
Connections

Capital Of

Imo State, States or Territories
Source GeoNames: Owerri - GeoNames
Sources
1. Owerri (Wikidata)
  • P1082 (population)
    population 908,109 (2021)
  • P625 (coordinate location)
    latitude 5.483333, longitude 7.033333
  • P2044 (elevation above sea level)
    elevation 158 m
  • P2046 (area)
    area 104.0 sq km
  • P1082 (population), P585 (point in time)
    population 908109 (2021)
View the Source
2. Owerri (Wikipedia)
  • History section
    Owerri was founded by in the 14 century CE by Ekwem Oha.
  • In Group: Cities of Western Africa (World), Wikipedia; part-of country and UN M49 subregion
View the Source
3. GeoNames: Owerri - GeoNames
GeoNames
  • cities500 record 2325330
    5.48363 7.03325 P PPLA NG 28 17024 545000 73 Africa/Lagos
  • Place record, elevation
    Elevation ca. 73 m
  • Capital Of: Imo State, cities500 record 2325330, feature code PPLA (seat of first-order division 28)
    5.48363 7.03325 P PPLA NG 28 17024 545000 73 Africa/Lagos
View the Source
4. Koeppen-Geiger map (Kottek et al., University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna): World Map of the Koeppen-Geiger Climate Classification, present climate data
Koeppen-Geiger map (Kottek et al., University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna)Koeppen-Geiger-ASCII.txt grid cell 5.25, 7.25
Quote, Koeppen-Geiger-ASCII.txt grid cell 5.25, 7.25
5.25 7.25 Am
View the Source
Wikidata: Owerri
Wikidata Q583619, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
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