Lagos, Nigeria

Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria and the second largest city in Africa behind Cairo. It is considered one of the fastest growing cities in the world and has one of the worst quality-of-life rankings among all major cities. Formerly the capital of Nigeria, it relinquished the title to Abuja in 1991.

Much of the city of Lagos is situated on three islands separated from mainland Nigeria by a channel. The islands themselves are separated from each other by a network of creeks. Lagos Island features the city's main marketplace and serves as the headquarters for most of Nigeria's banks and financial institutions. Ikoyi Island was the former headquarters of the Nigerian government and is currently the site of many hotels as well as Africa's largest golf course. Victoria Island, located to the south of Lagos Island, is home to Nigeria's wealthy citizens and aristocrats. Most of the citizens of Lagos, however, still live on the mainland.