Calabar
Coordinates: 4°57′00″N 8°19′30″E / 4.95000°N 8.32500°E / 4.95000; 8.32500
Calabar (also referred to as "Canaan City") is a city in Cross River State, south southern Nigeria. The original name for Calabar was Akwa Akpa, from the Efik language.
The city is adjacent to the Calabar and Great Kwa Rivers and creeks of the Cross River (from its inland delta).
Calabar is the capital of Cross River State. Administratively, the city is divided into Calabar Municipal and Calabar South LGAs. It has an area of 406 square kilometres (157 sq mi) and had a population of 371,022 at the 2006 census.
History
The original town was known by the Efik name Akwa Akpa. The spelling Calaba remained till the British came and pronounced Calabar as Calabah. The neighboring town of Ataba took over the name and its Efik/Qua/Efut/Biase/Akampkpa indigenes became known as Calabar (pronounced Calabah). Calabar is a large metropolis today, with several towns like Akim, Ikot Ansa, Ikot Ishie, Kasuk, Duke Town, Henshaw Town, Ikot Omin, Obutong, Bakassi, Biase, and Akamkpa.
